Once, there lived a merchant in a village. One day, he left for the town to start a new business. Before leaving, he requested his friend to keep a heavy iron balance until he returned. After a year, the merchant visited his friend and asked for his iron balance. The friend said, “There are many mice at my home. They ate it.” The merchant knew that mice can’t eat iron. While leaving, he said, “Send your son along; I will give him the gift I have brought for you.” The friend agreed. The merchant took the boy and left. At night, the friend was worried, as his son hadn’t returned. He went to the merchant’s house and asked about his son. The merchant replied, “On our way, a hawk swooped down and carried him away.” The friend realised his mistake. He returned the iron balance and took his son back home.
The Mice That Chewed Iron
