Listen to the Story
Step into a world where a clever merchant proves that a sharp wit is the best weapon against a greedy lie.
The Heavy Secret
Once, a merchant named Naduk decided to travel to a faraway land to find work. He was poor, and the only valuable thing he owned was a heavy iron beam that had belonged to his ancestors. Because he couldn't carry it with him, he went to his friend, Laxman. 'Friend, please keep this iron beam safe in your storehouse until I return,' Naduk asked. Laxman agreed, but secretly, he looked at the iron and thought about how much money he could get by selling it.
The Impossible Excuse
A year later, Naduk returned, successful and happy. He went straight to Laxman and said, 'I’m back! May I have my iron beam now?' Laxman put on a very sad face. 'Oh, Naduk, I have terrible news! I kept it in my storehouse, but the mice there are so fierce that they ate the entire iron beam! There is nothing left but dust.' Naduk knew his friend was lying—mice can’t eat iron! But instead of getting angry, he smiled calmly. 'Well, if the mice ate it, it’s not your fault. Let’s go to the river for a swim to celebrate my return.' He then asked Laxman’s young son to come along to help carry his bags.
A Very Big Mistake
After the swim, Naduk returned to Laxman’s house alone. 'Where is my son?' Laxman asked, panicked. Naduk sighed deeply. 'It was the strangest thing, Laxman! While we were at the river, a giant hawk swooped down from the sky, grabbed your son in its claws, and flew away!' Laxman screamed,'That’s impossible! A hawk cannot carry a heavy boy!' Naduk looked him right in the eye and replied, 'If a city has mice that can eat a heavy iron beam, surely it also has hawks that can fly away with teenage boys.' Realizing he had been caught in his own lie, Laxman felt very ashamed. He returned the iron beam (which he had hidden, not sold), and Naduk safely returned the boy. They both learned that honesty is the only way to keep a friendship.
What We Learn
Treat others how you want to be treated
