How to Sell a Shawl

Vinay, the garment merchant of Ratanpur, had bought an expensive shawl from Kashmir to sell at a profit. However, his wife’s younger brother, Ravi, who was visiting Ratanpur, doubted his investment. “Who will pay the price for such a shawl here? You made a bad investment,” he remarked.

“Ravi, one can sell anything if one knows how to market it! Here comes the village moneylender, a rather miserly fellow. If you help me, I can sell the shawl to him,” Vinay replied, sharing his plan. Ravi stepped outside and waited on the street.

“Sir, please come in. I’ve something valuable to show you,” Vinay invited the moneylender into his shop. He revealed the shawl, and the moneylender was intrigued, stating, “It looks nice, but you don’t expect me to buy it!”

“Just put this shawl on your shoulder and go about your business. You can return it to me on your way back. I want to see how it looks on you,” Vinay suggested. The moneylender had no objection to this; in fact, he was pleased to use the shawl for a while without cost.

As the moneylender walked a few yards, Ravi, approaching from the opposite direction, bowed humbly and stood aside with his hands folded. The moneylender was both pleased and surprised. “I don’t think I know you,” he said, eyeing Ravi curiously.

“But, honorable sir, I know you. You are the king’s prime minister!” Ravi exclaimed. “What made you think so?” inquired the moneylender. “The shawl, of course! Who but the king’s prime minister can wear such a magnificent shawl?” Ravi noted.

The moneylender, impressed by Ravi’s remark, soon returned to Vinay’s shop. “I’ll buy it, Vinay!” he declared, pulling out his purse to complete the transaction.