Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a Brahmin named Mitra Sharma. One day, after performing a religious ceremony, a rich merchant gifted him a healthy goat. Delighted, Mitra Sharma decided to take the goat home.
As he walked along the path, three hungry rogues spotted him. They saw the goat and devised a plan to trick the Brahmin into giving it up.
The first rogue approached Mitra Sharma and said, “Why are you carrying a dog, sir? It doesn’t seem appropriate for a Brahmin like you.”
Mitra Sharma, surprised, replied, “This is not a dog; it’s a goat.”
The rogue apologized and moved aside.
A little further, the second rogue stopped the Brahmin and said, “Why are you carrying a dead calf on your shoulders?”
Mitra Sharma, now puzzled, responded, “This is not a calf; it’s a goat.”
The rogue also apologized and let him pass.
Soon after, the third rogue approached and said, “Why are you carrying a donkey on your shoulders?”
By now, the Brahmin was confused and began to doubt himself. He thought, “If everyone is saying it’s not a goat, maybe they’re right.”
Feeling uncertain, Mitra Sharma decided to leave the goat by the roadside and went home.
The three rogues quickly seized the opportunity, took the goat, and enjoyed a hearty meal.
Moral:
Wisdom and quick thinking can save you from danger. True friends never betray each other.