A Strange Advice

Keshav met the landlord of Ramgiri and requested a job.

“How much salary do you expect?” the landlord asked.

“That I leave to you!” Keshav replied humbly.

“That won’t do. You must state how much would satisfy you.”

“Well, Sir, can I get two hundred rupees a month?” Keshav asked with some hesitation.

“Why not!” the landlord exclaimed. “Join the work tomorrow.”

Keshav felt tremendous happiness. He had not expected the landlord to agree to his demand so easily. But soon, an unsettling thought crept in. “Why didn’t I demand three hundred rupees? The landlord would have certainly agreed to pay me at that rate! What a fool I was!” he lamented. This regret kept him awake all night.

The next day, he joined the work, but his thoughts remained heavy. At the end of the day, the landlord summoned him and said, “Keshav! Here is some money. Please accept this amount, but do not come from tomorrow. My old clerk is back.”

“Thanks, Sir!” Keshav said with great relief. He bowed to the landlord and added, “I have a small request to make. When you choose an employee, please decide on their salary yourself; don’t leave it to them!”

The landlord contemplated Keshav’s advice for a long time, but it remained a riddle to him!