The Monk and the Merchant

In the land of Silbaripuram, there lived a wandering monk. People used to say that he was a citizen of a neighboring country. Most of the time, he would spend his days resting or sleeping under the shade of some tree.

One day, a Prabhu (Landlord) was heading to the market in his horse-drawn carriage. He was known for being uncompromising and always traded for excessive profits. As he passed by, he noticed the monk watering some small saplings.

Curious to know what the monk was up to, the Prabhu stepped down from his carriage. He asked, "This is just a roadside; what are you doing here?"

The monk replied, "I have planted seeds of very tasty varieties of mango and jackfruit, and these are the saplings I’ve raised. I am bringing water from the nearby pond to ensure they don't wither away."

Immediately, the Prabhu asked mockingly, "What a fool you are! Won’t an old man like you pass away long before these mango and jackfruit trees ever bear fruit? Look at me—I never waste my time on anything that doesn't bring me a profit."

The monk calmly replied, "Others will benefit from this deed, and that is enough for me. You see, my life has often been sustained by fruits planted and grown by someone else like this. I have a duty to provide the same for the coming generations as well."

The Prabhu climbed back into his carriage and left without saying a word. However, the monk’s words left a deep impact on him. As he traveled, he began to realize that everything he saw around him was the result of the hard work of many people—much of which was done without expecting any money in return.

He decided to change his ways. He gave up his practice of seeking unfair profits in trade and, furthermore, began setting aside a portion of his earnings for charitable activities.

> The Moral:

This reflects the thought once shared by the great scientist Albert Einstein: "I am indebted to many people for the things I enjoy. Therefore, I also have an obligation to give back something to this world."