Loan and Luck

Parmanand of Shivapuri urgently needed some money to conduct his daughter’s wedding. He approached Vijayraghavan, the local moneylender, but was turned down and left empty-handed.

At that time, the Zamindar of Anandpuri was looking for an assistant. After receiving numerous applications, he shortlisted two candidates and was contemplating who to invite for an interview. One of those candidates was none other than Vijayraghavan’s son.

Somehow, Parmanand learned about this and decided to use the information to his advantage. He approached Vijayraghavan again, saying, “I know the Zamindar of Anandpuri and his dewan. I understand your son has applied for the assistant position. The dewan and I studied together in school. I wouldn’t mind putting in a good word on behalf of your son. Please grant me the loan I requested earlier; I promise to repay the amount with interest.”

Vijayraghavan was pleased and happily granted him the loan. Within a week, his son secured the job with the Zamindar. However, Parmanand’s wife chided him, saying, “You never mentioned that you know the dewan of Anandpuri!”

Parmanand replied with a mischievous grin, “Who said I know the dewan? That was merely a ruse to obtain a loan from Vijayraghavan.”