What an Excuse!

Janakraj, the zamindar of Jaunpur, had a servant named Kinkar. Every morning, Kinkar was responsible for dusting everything, from furniture to windows to curios. However, the zamindar always found him spending hours polishing the silver box he used for storing betel leaves, areca nut, tobacco, and other chewing items. Janakraj had also noticed that Kinkar often neglected to clean the shelves, almirahs, and stands.

One day, the zamindar confronted Kinkar. “Kinkar, I don’t see you dusting and cleaning these chairs, tea tables, and other items. Yet you never fail to clean that silver box. Why?”

“Sir, sometimes I also take the chewing items,” Kinkar replied coolly. “I must ensure that whatever I use remains clean and free from dust or dirt.”

Zamindar Janakraj was left speechless. He simply responded, “I see!” After that day, Kinkar found that the silver pan box was missing from the drawing room, and he had no idea where his master had kept it. Nonetheless, he became more careful with his cleaning duties, perhaps reflecting on the unexpected consequences of his earlier justifications.