A lunch from The Landlord
The Vain Landlord
Once there was a landlord who was extremely vain. In his village, the other residents were poor peasants, whom he treated with scorn. If any of them approached him, he would grow angry, exclaiming, “They smell so obnoxious!” while covering his large nose with his colorful silk handkerchief. Naturally, the villagers despised him in return and kept their distance.
A Bold Challenge
One day, while working in the fields, the peasants were discussing their fear of the landlord. One said, “I saw him on the street this morning and immediately ran a furlong away from him!” Another added, “When I saw him coming, I dived into the river!”
However, an old peasant remarked, “Why are you all so afraid of him? You think he cannot bear our presence? That’s nonsense. I bet I can go near him and talk to him. Not only that, I can make him invite me to a good lunch in his very presence!”
“Do not boast like that,” his fellow peasants warned him. “You will never be allowed entry into his compound. His guards would throw you out!” they laughed.
“I am not boasting; I am certain I can do it,” asserted the old peasant.
“In that case, why don’t you prove it? If you truly can act as you claim, we will reward you with a heap of rice and a pair of bullocks!” the peasants taunted further. “But if you fail, you must do whatever we command!”
“All right,” the old peasant accepted the challenge.
The Peasant’s Plan
At midday, he made his way to the landlord’s palace. The guards at the gate frowned and rudely stopped him.
However, the peasant remained calm, saying, “Allow me to go in. I have very good news to share with your master.”
“Tell us what it is. We will convey it to him,” the guards suggested.
“That is not possible. I can only confide in the landlord,” the old man replied with a meaningful smile. “If you don’t let me in now, it might be too late!”
Curious, one of the guards went inside to report to the landlord, who ordered the guard to bring the old man in.
Unexpected Delights
The peasant was ushered into the presence of the eager landlord.
The landlord ordered his guards and servants to leave the room and awaited the old man’s response with great anticipation.
The Clever Deception
Once the peasant finished his meal, the landlord inquired eagerly, “Now tell me, good old man, where is the potful of gold? I advise you to bring it to me, and I shall reward you well.”
The peasant yawned and replied, “Gold? Where is the gold, my lord? All I wanted to know was whether a potful of gold was equivalent to the value of a heap of rice and a pair of bullocks. I thought nobody but you could answer such a question.”
The Outcome
The peasant then recounted the entire story to his fellow villagers. They confirmed through a servant in the landlord’s household that what the old man had claimed was indeed true!
As promised, they presented him with a heap of rice and a pair of bullocks, celebrating his cleverness and bravery.
