The Burglar’s Brainwave

One night, a burglar scaled the wall of a wealthy farmer’s house, hoping to find valuable property. After searching the premises, he realized that the farmer had securely locked away any wealth and valuable household goods. Frustrated, the burglar stumbled upon a sack containing a dozen coconuts.

Deciding to take something rather than return empty-handed, he stuffed the coconuts into a bag. With the bag slung over his back, he climbed the wall and descended onto the road. Unfortunately for him, a sepoy on his night round spotted the burglar and gave chase. Within a short time, the burglar was caught.

The next morning, he was brought to the king’s court with the bag of coconuts on his head. The sepoy narrated how he had captured the burglar almost red-handed. The king, displeased, ordered, “Cut off one of his hands!” Turning to the burglar, he asked, “What do you have to say to this?”

The burglar dropped the bag on the floor and replied, “My lord, I believe all the coconuts are broken!” The king, still furious, pressed him again, “You are to lose your hand. What do you say to that?” The burglar responded, “My regret is that the coconuts have lost their religious sanctity!”

When asked what he meant, the burglar explained, “My lord, if a devotee breaks one coconut before the deity, the deity is pleased. I have broken a dozen coconuts before the king, yet the king remains angry with me. Shouldn’t we wonder what has happened to this sacred fruit?” The king laughed heartily. “If you deserve to lose your hand for your crime, then you deserve to keep it for your cleverness,” he declared, provided the burglar vowed to give up his life of crime. The burglar bowed and promised to lead a better life in the future.