Mr Sharma worked in a bank. His car was in the workshop for repair. He took a taxi that morning to office.
At the end of the day, he found he was late. He was carrying his own briefcase. But he also had to carry a bag containing a lot of money that had to be delivered to a man next morning. There seemed to be no taxis on the road. Then he decided to take an auto-rickshaw.
In a little while, he saw one and hailed it. The driver was a thin young man, unshaved and unkempt. Getting in, he gave directions for his house.
His house was quite some distance away. Mr Sharma was tired after a long day and he snoozed a little on the way home. Then the auto-rickshaw stopped. He had reached home.
He got out. Mr Sharma, still a little groggy from his short nap in the auto-rickshaw, counted out the money and, picking up his briefcase, walked into his house.
Suddenly at the door, he whirled around, remembering the bag of money. Shouting, “Hey! Stop!” he ran out of the gate and saw the tail-lights of the auto-rickshaw disappearing suddenly.
He entered his house looking shattered.
“What happened?” asked his wife, frightened and utterly worried.
“I’ll lose my job! What will I do?” he wailed in agony, “People will never trust me again!”
He put his head down on the table and wept like a child.
“Do you remember the number of the auto-rickshaw?” asked Mrs Sharma.
“No, I don’t!” replied Mr Sharma. “Oh, god! How could I be so stupid!”
Just then, the doorbell rang. Who could it be at this time of the night? Mr Sharma went to the door and opened it. There stood the driver of the auto-rickshaw, holding his bag.
“You forgot this bag in my auto-rickshaw, sir,” said the driver. Mr Sharma took the bag, saying, “Thank you so much. Do you know what there is in it?”
“There was some money in it, sir. I thought you might be worried if I waited till morning to return it. So, I brought it immediately. I’m sorry; I disturbed you so late at night,” apologised the driver.
Mr Sharma said, “I should apologise for making you drive all this way again!”
“Sir, please count the money,” suggested the driver.
Mr Sharma said, “I won’t need to. You would not be here if you were dishonest. Please come tomorrow at nine. I have to deliver this.”
Mr Sharma had found something more valuable than the bag!
Moral: Honesty is more valuable than dishonesty.
