A merchant’s son lived in a town where his father and forefathers had also lived earlier. However, the merchant’s son lost all his wealth and became very poor. Unable to earn anything in his town, he decided to go somewhere else and work till he got some money to start his business again.
Now the merchant’s son had an old iron balance that he had inherited from his father and he was very fond of it. He wanted to keep it safe till he returned. So, he went to a friendly merchant who was his neighbour and asked him, “Brother, will you please keep this iron balance for me till I return?” When his neighbour agreed, the merchant’s son went off to earn a living.
He travelled and he worked hard. Gradually, he became prosperous. Then he returned to his town to start his business once more.
When he came back home, he went to his old neighbour to collect the iron balance. Thanking him for keeping the iron balance, he asked for it.
“The iron balance? Oh, yes. I am so sorry, my friend. I can’t return it to you. It was eaten up by rats!” said the crafty neighbour.
The merchant’s son realised that the neighbour was lying to him. So, he decided to play a trick on him. Smiling at the neighbour, he said, ”I understand. Never mind. I am going to bathe in the river. Would you let your son join me? He can help look after my things while I bathe.” The neighbour thought he had successfully befooled the merchant, so he gladly agreed to send his son.
The merchant went along to the river with the neighbour’s son. The boy guarded his clothes while he bathed. When he came out, he grabbed the boy and shut him up in a cave near the river.
The neighbour saw him return without his son. Worried and frightened, he asked, “Where’s my son, brother? He went with you to the river.”
“I’m so sorry, my friend. As I was bathing, a flamingo swooped down and flew off with your son! I couldn’t do anything.”
“Liar!” screamed the neighbour. “A flamingo flew off with my son! It’s not possible.”
“Of course, it is. If rats can eat an iron balance, why can’t a flamingo fly away with your son?” asked the merchant.
The two men went to the king to sort out their quarrel. Both of them told their stories. The king realised the truth soon and ordered the neighbour to return the iron balance. The merchant immediately gave the child back to his father. Both the men forgave each other and lived in the town peacefully thereafter.
