Greedy shopkeeper

Rafiq the merchant was a very wealthy shopkeeper. His long robe was made of expensive fur. On his fingers were gold-plated rings studded with rubies and sapphires.

One day Rafiq went to buy some copper plates and utensils to sell in his store. After haggling for several hours, he bought the goods at the lowest price he could find.

When he returned to his shop, Rafiq found that his money bag was missing. He hurried back and searched for it, but could not find the lost bag. He pulled several hairs in anxiety, and also tugged at his moustache. He was sure that some dishonest rogue had run off with his money.

Later, in the afternoon, the drums beat in the narrow streets of the city and an announcer shouted, Listen, brothers, listen Rafiq the shopkeeper has lost his money bag. Whoever returns it, Rafiq will reward the finder with a gold coin.

Now it so happened that while Rafiq was bargaining hard in the market, Ivo, a poor peasant, came into town to have his horses saddle repaired.

He wanted to buy a bracelet for his wife, but Ivo was too poor.

While Ivo was admiring the shop windows, he slipped on a stone lying in the street and fell to his death.

As he fell he saw the merchants purse lying beneath the stone. At the same moment he heard the drum-players proclamation in town. Ivo picked up the purse and, being an honest man, went straight to Rafiqs shop.

My name is Ivo, and this purse is probably yours.

Quite wonderful, said the merchant. But his joy soon turned to sorrow when he remembered his promise to give a reward.

While Ivo was admiring the goods on the shelves of the shop, the greedy merchant quickly took a gold coin from his pouch and put it in his pocket.

Oh no, said Rafiq. When I lost the pouch there were ten gold coins in it, and now there are only nine. That means you have already taken the reward of one gold coin.

Ivo was startled to hear this, but the blow to his pride was more than the loss of the promised reward, for Ivo was an honest man.

I did not even open your pouch, he swore to the rich merchant.

You call me a liar Then I will take you to court, said Rafiq.

Ivo had never been to a court before. He felt lost in the huge courtroom. The two men waited for the judge to come and examine the case. But when Ivo saw the judge enter the room, he became very nervous. The judge was wearing a long robe with a fur collar and a white wig. He had a big thick law book in his hand and a very stern expression on his face. Ivos knees started trembling when he saw the judge.

Rafiq stood up and said, Respected Judge, when I lost my wallet there were ten gold coins in it. I had promised a reward of one gold coin to the person who returned the wallet. But when this farmer returned the wallet to me there were only nine gold coins in it. He has already taken the reward of one gold coin.

Then Ivo presented his case to the judge. Sir, he said politely, turning his hat in his hands, as soon as I found the wallet, I returned it. I did not even open it, let alone take out the gold coin. Today my honesty and reputation are at stake.

The judge, who looked stern and fearsome, was a kind man at heart and was very clever and intelligent in his work. For a moment the judge remained absolutely silent. Then he gave his verdict.

Rafiq, shopkeeper, tell me that since you lost the wallet containing ten gold coins, how can this wallet containing nine gold coins be yours You go back to your shop and wait for your wallet to be returned.

The judge then pointed towards Ivo and said. And you have found a wallet containing nine gold coins. You also go to your house and wait for its owner to come and claim it. If he doesnt come back for six months, then this wallet will be yours. Then you can spend it as you like or save it.

On hearing the judges decision, the greedy shopkeeper Rafiq was furious, but for fear of being arrested, he did not dare to do anything. He picked up his long robe and then walked out of the courtroom.

Ivo was so shocked to hold the bag given by the judge that he could not move from there for some time.

An honest man is actually very rich, the judge said to Ivo. Even if he is very poor.