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| Sunday, 27 November 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Cotton traders, mice and their loyal cat Sunday Parable by Sunanda Mahendra
All four of them used to go to remote villages and bring back raw cotton and clean them in order to sell to urban dwellers, who needed more cotton than others. But the problem was the safe storing, as more and more mice came from distant places to eat the cotton. Mice problem "I wonder what we should do to ward off these mice. Haven't we tried all possible ways and means of stopping this mouse menace? We have already caught them through traps and we have taken them by hundreds. But they still continue to trouble us, as if they are a horde of enemies. It is high time we did something to bring about a total eradication of this mouse menace," said the chief trader rather sorrowfully. "The only possible way to get rid of mice is to get a good cat," suggested a trader and the move was seconded by another. This resulted in bringing a cat to be kept in the large storeroom. The cat was seen in good action catching mice and bringing a near end to the disaster. The traders loved the cat so much that they wanted to treat him in the best possible manner. They gave the cat the best of milk and food, and looked after it like a child. In order to make an equal share of their love they raised an important question. "How are we going to share our love for the cat equally?" Asked one of the traders. Then the others suggested that in order to share the love towards the cat each one must share a paw of the cat. "I will look after the front right foot," said the chief trader. The second one said that he would look after the left front paw. The third and the fourth shared the two rear feet of the cat respectively. Each one of them would in turn apply oil on the foot of the cat and show their love. While one applied oil on the foot, another would caress the cat lovingly saying. "You are our life-giver and sole protector of the trade." The cat too knew that he is being loved by the traders and helped them to establish their trade in the best possible manner. Disaster Once the cat injured one of his foot. The trader, who was responsible for that foot applied some oil and dressed him with a rag. While the cat was sleeping near the kitchen fire the cloth caught fire and the cat ran away swiftly through the store room where the stacks of cotton were piled. The cotton instantly caught fire and the store room was in flames. Though the cat escaped, the stacks of cotton were reduced to ashes. When the traders returned after collecting more cotton from various places, they saw the disaster and found out what had really happened. "Who is responsible for this disaster?" asked the chief trader. Then to the surprise of others, one trader came out with his point of view. He said "I think I am responsible for all this, and I am so sorry about it as I never imagined such a disaster will befall us when I applied oil on the cat's foot and dressed it with a piece of cloth." "Thanks for coming out with the truth, but then you should pay compensation for the three of us," said the chief trader looking at the faces of the other traders who nodded their heads in agreement. "No, I am not in a position to compensate you in any way," said the trader who was truthful but victimised by the fire. "We should settle this matter in the best possible manner," said the chief trader. "As traders, we should not antagonize each other through unnecessary arguments and disputes. The only possible settlement should come from the wise man of the city," suggested one trader. "Yes certainly, the wise man can tell us the possible solution and pass a worthy judgement," said another trader. "Are we traders not wise enough to arrive at an amicable solution?" asked yet another trader. But in the end they all agreed to meet the wise old man in the city. "Who is the owner of this cat?" asked the wise man when the four traders carried the cat to his residence. "All four of us," said the chief trader. "How did you show your affiliation as regards the possession of the cat?" asked the wise man in a high-flown tone of a lawyer. "The four of us shared the four feet of the cat and took care of him to show him that all four of us loved him equally," said the chief trader. "Who applied oil on this cat's wounded foot?" asked the wise man. "I did," said the truthful trader. "He was not feeling well as there was a wound." The wise man pondered for a while thinking as to what question he should ask next. "Was he a good runner?" asked the wise man. "Yes certainly, he was a good mouse catcher," replied the chief trader. "How did he run when one foot was injured?" "He would have run with three feet and one limping." "That solves the problem," said the wise man. The traders were anticipating the judgement. After a brief silence, the wise man commenced. "I see that all four of you are equally responsible for this disaster caused by the fire. In the first instance, the person who treated the wounded foot of the cat is a good human being, unbelievable to exist in your trading profession. Decision There is no doubt about it. But then the cat has three more feet and the possessors of the other feet are also equally responsible, as the cat used those feet as well to run through the store room as he was a good runner. So it is a matter of rethinking about your role as lovers of the cat to continue the goodwill spread so far. I declare that all of you should now share your losses and restart the trade with positive thoughts without having any ill-will towards anyone." The traders looked at the faces of each other. The cat meowed as if understanding the words of the wise man. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
We are gradually loosing the value and productivity of cotton because of
the great destruction brought about by these mice in the stores. So we've
got to do something about it', said the chief cotton trader to his three
friends, who were shareholders in the trade. 
