A Roaring Business

Ramlal and Madanlal were two good friends who lived in the village of Laxmanpur. One day, Ramlal found himself in urgent need of money, so he sold his horse and carriage to Madanlal for one hundred rupees. A few weeks later, when he had acquired some money, Ramlal repurchased the horse and carriage from Madanlal for a price of two hundred rupees.

Weeks passed, and Madanlal found himself in need of a horse and carriage as well. He bought Ramlal’s for three hundred rupees. This exchange continued back and forth between the two friends until the price of the horse and carriage eventually reached eight hundred rupees.

One day, eager to earn more money, Ramlal sold the horse and carriage to a businessman from the neighboring village for one thousand rupees. This decision turned out to be pivotal.

When Madanlal learned about Ramlal’s sale, he was deeply disturbed. He went to Ramlal’s house and said angrily, “Ramlal, what a blunder you have made by selling the horse and carriage that could have brought us substantial profit! You are absolutely ignorant of the secrets of business. Your actions are unforgivable! In due time, we could have sold them to each other for ten thousand rupees or more, enjoying all the profits ourselves!”