Sunday parable

The scales of merit

Sunanda MAHENDRA

The down and out farmer lived during the rule of King Bhoja. He wanted to find a better stretch of land in a distant place to cultivate. So he told his wife: “I am going in search of better pastures and I need something to eat on the way, when I am hungry.” His wife prepared two rotis and asked whether they will be enough: “I can prepare some more, if you want.” “No, no don’t worry about that. This is enough for me.” Then she handed the parceled rotis to her husband. Towards the noon, the farmer felt hungry. Just as he was about to have his first roti, he spotted a whimpering bitch who looked starving.

“Are you ok?” He asked the bitch kindly. She whimpered again as if she got what the farmer said.

“All right. I am going to give you this piece of roti. Hope that will be something for you.” The bitch wolfed down the piece and did not look content.

“Seems like you need more, don’t you?” She nodded her head and wagged the tail. The farmer gave another chunk to the bitch.

“You look famishing, dear. Don’t worry, I can live on without these.You’ve got all the rotis.” The bitch wagged her tail in gratitude. The farmer felt elated and set off. The bitch tagged along halfway and the farmer felt a little alone. He was at a loss when he saw an old man approaching him.

“Are you looking for something mister?”

“Yes I am a farmer looking for a good plot of land.”

“Why don’t you meet King Bhoja? He is a superb man, I am sure he will have an ear for you.”

“But am I allowed to see the king?”

“Of course yes. Tell him that you are a farmer. He will listen to you. He is so fond of goodhearted farmers.”

“But how can I prove that?” The old man gave a laugh.

“Why don’t you meet him first, mister?” The farmer somehow managed to walk all the way to the palace. He was stopped by the gatekeeper.“Will it be possible to see the king?”

“Purpose?”

“Yes,” said the farmer and spelled out his mission. The gatekeeper vanished into interior and came back shortly with a salutary nod to the farmer.

“I am so pleased to see a farmer looking for a land. But,” added the king, “I need to test you.” This was followed by a series of simple question. King wanted to verify the genuineness of the farmer.

“But the land alone will not do. You need some money too, don’t you, farmer?”

“As you please Your Majesty. Whatever an allowance you give will suffice.” Said the farmer.

Then the king ordered a royal courtier to bring a large weighing scale with two semi circular plates hanging from either side of the metal rod. The royal courtier was asked to hold the weighing scale.

“I am going to put some gold coins to the plate on the right side. You have to touch the left side plate softly. This tells you how many gold coins you are going to have. The king put some gold coins on the right side plate. Even before the farmer touched the left plate, it indicated an invisible weight. For the king and the farmer this turned out a game of magic. The king kept on putting more gold coins but the empty side still indicated heavier. In a little while the plate became full of gold coins.

“This is too much for me, Your Majesty.” Said the farmer. The king was stunned.

“Aha what a marvel. I can’t believe my eyes. Tell me, farmer, what are you? A god? A superman? Or someone with a superhuman power?”

“No Your Majesty. This must be a mistake Your Majesty, I am just a broke farmer and no one else. I badly need a land and tend my family.” “But farmer I see you more powerful than me.

Or tell me what have you been doing since you left your home.” Then the farmer realised how his generosity has done wonders. He narrated the whole story and the king was very impressed.

“So you are still starving, it seems.” The farmer just smiled.

“From today you will be appointed as the Royal Farmer. You should bring your family and settle down in this city. Come let’s go and have something now.”