The Man-killer

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The Man-killer

 

TWO friends were walking together one morning in a lonely place when

they saw a philosopher running away in panic haste from a bush. They

asked him why he was so frightened. He said, 'In yonder bush I saw the

man-killer.' 'Do you mean a tiger?' asked the two frightened.

 

'No,' replied the philosopher. 'It is far more dangerous than a

tiger. I unearthed it when I was uprooting some herbs.' 'What is it?'

asked the two. 'A heap of gold coins,' replied the philosopher. 'Where

is it? Where is it?' asked both in the same breath. 'There, in that

bush,' said the philosopher and went his way. The two friends rushed to

the spot indicated and found a heap of gold coins.

 

 

'What fools these philosophers are,' said one to the other, 'to call life-giving gold a man-killer !'

 

'Well,' said the other, 'let ;us consider what we should do. It is

unsafe to carry it into our village now in public daylight because the

people will come to know of it. Let one of us remain here to watch the

treasure while another goes to fetch the meals.'

 

 

So it was agreed. One remained behind to guard the treasure while the other went to bring the meals.

 

When his comrade had gone for bringing the meals, the man left

behind thought thus : 'It is a pity that I was not alone this day. Now

I have got to give half the gold to my friend, and the quantity of gold

is not very much either. I have a big family and need all the gold. As

soon as the fellow comes, I shall take him by surprise and kill him

with my knife. Nobody will know about this and I shall get the whole

gold.' With this he sharpened his knife and got ready.

 

The other man meanwhile thought, 'Why should I give half the gold

to this man? I am heavily in debt and have made no provision at all for

old age. The other has no debts and has got some wealthy relations. I

shall not give him half, that is certain. I shall take my meals and mix

some deadly poison in the meals I carry for him. He will eat it and

die, and nobody will be any the wiser for it. Thus I shall get all the

gold.' So saying, the man took his meals and mixed some deadly poison

in the meals meant for the other. Then, taking the poisoned meal, he

went to the place where the treasure was. As soon as he approached the spot, the other

rushed upon him unexpectedly with his knife and despatched him in no

time. After committing this atrocious crime, he said, 'Poor fellow,

half the gold was the cause of his death. Now, let me take my meals. I

feel beastly hungry.' He unsuspectingly took the poisoned meals brought

by his friend and in half an hour died an agonizing death. How true the

philosopher's remark was!' said he with his dying breath.

-- With Love,Ganesh Baba+919880962897My Group: Kriyababa_spiritualjourney- (Send a blank email)