The Loan Realised

Govind borrowed a sum of two hundred rupees from Narahari. He promised to repay the amount within two months, but he pretended to have forgotten about it. Six months passed without any repayment, and Narahari learned from others that Govind had a habit of not returning loans.

One day, Narahari heard that Govind was going to the cattle market to buy a cow. Narahari decided to go to the market as well. However, Govind could not find a cow that met his satisfaction.

As Govind began walking back to his village, Narahari accompanied him. Suddenly, in a lonely area, a bandit sprang out of the bushes and said, “Drop whatever money you have on the ground and go away. You will regret it if you don’t act promptly.”

Without hesitation, Govind handed his bag, containing more money than he had borrowed, to Narahari and exclaimed, “My friend, here is more than what I owe you. Take this; I no longer owe you anything.” Narahari accepted the bag and placed it on the ground. The bandit picked it up and quickly disappeared into the bushes.

The next day, Govind received a note from Narahari along with some money. The note read: “Here is what remained after I took from your bag the money you borrowed from me, including the interest. By the way, I have also deducted the remuneration I paid to the man I hired to act as the bandit.”