How do you recognize a true friend?

Long time ago, in a village called Silbaripuram, there was a simple man named Kunchu. Since he used to grow sugarcane, everyone called him 'Panchara' (Sugar) Kunchu. All the villagers liked him very much, and Kunchu felt proud to have such good friends.

One day, some strange disease came to the sugarcane plants in that area, and all of Kunchu’s farming was ruined. He became poor and hungry. At that time, his friends were busy with other work and farming, so they didn’t have any money problems.

Kunchu went to his close friends and asked for a few silver coins as a loan. But the answers he got were very disappointing. The friendships he had kept sweet like sugar in his heart started to feel bitter.

After a few days, Kunchu accepted this reality. Then, he started growing rice in a small piece of land. When the time came to harvest the rice, he again asked his friends for help—but again, they refused.

But Kunchu didn’t give up. He began cutting the rice crop all by himself. As he kept working without rest, he fainted and fell down. At that time, a horse cart driver passed by. He gave Kunchu some food and water, and Kunchu was able to walk slowly.

The man asked him,
"I didn’t see any of your friends or villagers helping you. Is your name so bad?"
Kunchu replied,
"I don’t have money, that’s all. It’s not about my nature. It’s just that I have no savings."

Without hesitation, Kunchu told him about his fake friends. The cart driver said,
"Oh! In that case, come with me to Kosalapuram. My master is a good man. Tomorrow, we’ll go to the market with goods."

Next day, they both went to the next kingdom. When they reached the master’s place and told him everything, the master said,
"Good you came today. Today, I’m giving a big meal to all my friends. You can sit and eat with the workers."

Kunchu said,
"Sir, forgive me. I’m not here as a friend. I’ll eat the feast as a servant."

The master smiled and said,
"I have many friends. They’re all sitting inside the big hall. I’ll be happy if you also become one."

Kunchu replied,
"Master, you are mistaken. Are there even one or two real friends inside?"

The master asked,
"How do you know that? If you can prove it, I’ll give you a good reward. But if you fail, you must leave this place today itself."

Kunchu went close to the master and whispered something in his ear.

Soon, the feast was about to begin. The master went to the hall and greeted all the guests.

"Dear friends, I have something very important to share. From today, I am no longer fit to be the master of Kosalapuram. I borrowed money from the king of Silbaripuram long ago and became a master here through business. I’ve not returned that money with interest. Now I have to go to the king and accept whatever punishment he gives. All my wealth, property, and businesses will go to the king. This is my last big feast for you."

Everyone was shocked! One person asked,
"Master, is there no way to avoid the punishment?"

The master said,
"There is only one way. If each of you gives me a thousand gold coins, I can repay the king."

Immediately, the second-richest man stood up and shouted,
"Why should we help someone like him? Come, let’s go to the king and ask him to make me the master instead!"

Hearing that, all the friends refused to eat and went outside. The master didn’t expect such a reaction. He begged,
"Please, don’t go... the whole feast will be wasted."

One of them joked,
"You eat all of it yourself!"

The master felt deeply hurt. These were the same people who had enjoyed so many feasts in his house, and now they were insulting him.

Then he looked at Kunchu and said,
"Kunchu, I never imagined this. You opened my eyes. From today, one room in my palace will always be yours."

Moral of the story:
When you have everything, everyone is your friend. But when problems come, you’ll see how many truly stay with you. Sometimes, the value of friendship is judged by the weight of a coin, not the depth of the love.