THE GREEDY MERCHANT

WRITTEN, ILLUSTRATED AND PUBLISHED BY: BodhaGuru Learning Private Limited VERSION: 0.7 Copyright 2012 by BodhaGuru Learning Private Limited

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Thank you for downloading this book. This book must not be reproduced, copied or distributed in any form or means, without the prior permission from the author. Your support and respect for the hard work of the author is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons - living or dead, places or events is purely coincidental. We hope you and your child enjoy the story as much as we enjoyed writing it.

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Children Fun and Learn Book Subject: Science Topic: Living and Non Living Things

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CHAPTER 1 - Chatur laying the trap

In a small town, there lived a grain merchant named Bhola.

One day, a new shop opened near Bholas shop. The owner of the new shop, Chatur, came to Bholas shop and said, Hello Bhola. I am your new neighbor Chatur. Can I borrow your 10 kg weight?

Bhola gave his 10 kg weight and said, Sure - Take it. You are new in this village and its my duty to help you.

Thank you said Chatur as he walked away. Bhola gave milk to his dog.

The next day, Chatur came to Bholas shop to return the weight. Good morning, Chatur. You know my dog gave birth to 2 puppies yesterday night said Bhola happily.

Chatur said, Thats great. I came to return the weight I borrowed from you. He gave Bhola the 10 kg weight and an extra 1 kg weight.

Bhola said, Why are you returning me two weights? I just gave you one 10 kg weight. This 1 kg weight is not mine. Chatur said, Like your dog, this 10 kg weight gave birth to this small 1 kg weight in the night. As the 10kg weight belongs to you, its baby also belongs to you.

Bhola thought, How is this possible? But why should I worry. I am getting 1 kg weight for free.

Bhola kept the weight and said, If you insist my friend, I will keep it. Let me know if you need anything else. Chatur said, Thank you, Bhola and went back.

CHAPTER 2 - Bhola getting in the trap

Few days later, Chatur came to Bholas shop. The two new-born puppies of Bhola came out whimpering and started to drink milk in a bowl.

Looking at puppies, Chatur said, Hey - Bhola, looks like you feed them well. These puppies are growing up fast. Can I borrow a small container from you? Bhola said, Yes, yes. Why not? We are neighbors and we should help each other.

Bhola gave a container to Chatur. Chatur said, You are a good friend, Bhola. Chatur went back to his shop.

The next day, Chatur came to Bholas shop. He gave a big container to Bhola and said, Thank you, Bhola. Here is your container.

Bhola got surprised looking at a bigger container and said, Chatur, I gave you a small container this bigger one is not mine. Chatur replied, My wife is a very good cook. She stored some food in this container. The container must have liked the food and after eating some of the food, the container became bigger in size.

Bhola thought, Chatur is surely a fool. How can a container eat? Anyway - why do I care? I am getting a bigger container.

Chatur saw a big beautiful ring on Bholas finger. He said, That is a very beautiful ring, Bhola.

Bhola showed his ring to Chatur and said, Yes my friend, this is a very old ring belonging to my ancestors. It has a very good design, isnt it? My grandfather gave this ring to my father and he in turn gave it to me.

Chatur said, I like this design very much. If you dont mind, I will take this ring and show it to my jeweler to make a similar one for me.

Bhola smiled and thought, I am so lucky. This time I will get a bigger jewelry piece or may be one extra piece of jewelry. Wow!

Bhola happily took out the ring from his finger and gave it to Chatur. Bhola said, Yes. Take the ring Chatur. Chatur took the ring and said, Thank you, Bhola. I will return it to you tomorrow. CHAPTER 3 - The final assault

Next day, Bhola saw Chatur walking towards his shop. Bhola smiled and thought, Aha! Chatur is coming this way. Let me see what he gives me this time.

Chatur came to Bholas shop. Bhola said, Hello Chatur! Come. Is your ring ready? Show me - how is it?

Chatur was sad and he didnt reply to Bhola. Bhola said, What is the matter, my friend? Why are you so sad? Chatur said, I am very sorry to say Bhola. Your ring died last night before I could show to my jeweler.

Bhola was shocked and said, What rubbish are you talking? How a ring can die? It is impossible!

Chatur replied innocently, I think the ring was very old and so it died. People die when they get very old.

Bhola thought, Oh! All this time, I was thinking Chatur is a fool. But he has made a bigger fool out of me. He has stolen my very expensive ancestral ring.

Bhola was very angry and said, You are fooling me. Let us go to the Panchayat Head and discuss this.

Bhola held Chaturs hands and they both started going towards the Village Panchayat. CHAPTER 4 - The justice is done

In the Village Panchayat, the Panchayat Head was sitting on a chair and discussing with other people in the village.

Bhola and Chatur walked in and bowed in front of Panchayat Head. Bhola said, Sir I want to register a complaint. This, Chatur, is a cheat and a liar. He borrowed my ring. And now he says the ring died. How can a metal ring die? It does not have a life. He has stolen my ring.

Chatur narrated the whole story to Panchayat head and said innocently, Sir - If a metal weight can give birth to a baby weight or a small metal container can eat and become bigger container, then a metal ring can also die.

The Panchayat Head laughed and said, Ha Ha Ha! I understand your complaint. Both of you are guilty.

The Panchayat Head said, Chatur, you are guilty because you cheated Bhola by stealing his ring.

He then looked and Bhola and said, Bhola, you are also guilty because when you got free things, you didnt object to the impossible incidents like weight giving birth to another weight. So - you lost your ring because of your greediness.

Bhola and Chatur nodded their heads, while looking down - feeling ashamed.

Chatur said, I am sorry Bhola. I will not cheat anyone again. I will give your ring back. Bhola replied, I have learnt my lesson. From today, I will not get easily fooled by others and will not be greedy. I will also return your things.

The Panchayat Head was happy that both of them had learnt their lesson for life. Moral of the story: Do not cheat and dont be greedy. CHAPTER 5 - Food for thought 1. The 10 kg weight gave birth to 1 kg weight, but the ring did not give birth to new ring. Why? 2. Why the container cannot grow even though we keep food inside it? 3. Chatur gave an extra weight and a bigger container to Bhola and he didnt object. Is it fair to expect free things in return without thinking? 4. Which one of the following was Bholas biggest mistake: accepting extra weight, accepting bigger container or giving his ring to Chatur? Why? 5. Is it possible that Chatur was telling a truth that the ring died because of the old age? 6. Who was cleverer between Bhola and Chatur? Then why was the cleverness punished by Panchayat Head? Feel free to imagine, generate new questions, think and discuss the answer to all the questions with your friends, teachers and parents. Have Fun!

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