Fairness Over Friendship, Short Stories, Short tales, Bed Time Stories,
No two friends could have been more different from each other than Kabir and Ali, Kabir was an outgoing flamboyant businessman. His flourishing business had turned him into the town's richest man. Ali, on the other hand, was a quiet man. He was also poor, and his small tract of land barely helped him feed his family.
However, the friendship between the two men was as strong as the differences were many. There was rarely a day when the two didn't meet. Every time they had something to share, good or bad they always turned to each other.
Kabir had an uncle. Extremely frail, the elderly man could no longer look after himself. Kabir offered to look after his uncle if the latter willed all his wealth to him. The old man gave away his money and his house to Kabir, and began to live with him.
Soon Kabir and his wife began to ill-treat the old man. They mocked him, barely gave him enough to eat and were very unkind to him. Unable to bear the suffering, the old man said, "I think all of us will be happier if we stay apart. Please return the money I gave you, and I shall find myself a new home."
"What money?" Kabir retorted. "All the money you gave us has already been spent on your medicines, clothes and food. There is nothing left to give you."
The old man knew that Kabir was lying. He cried out in anger, "Kabir, if you do not return my money, I will have to complain to the town council."
Kabir did not fear the council. There was not a single man for whom he had not done a favor, and the townspeople turned to him when they were in need of money. Kabir was sure that the town council would favor him, not his uncle.
The old uncle approached the council members to plead his case. "The rules of the town council demand that you choose the judge," they told him. You must decide who will preside over your case.
The old man went round the town looking for a man who would be fair and just while presiding over his case. He finally reached Ali's cottage. "Will you please sit as the town council judge when I present my case?" asked the old man.
"I respect your wishes, Sir," said Ali, but Kabir is my dearest friend."
"Is your friendship greater than justice and fairness?" demanded the old man.
On the day set for the hearing, the council members and all the towns people assembled. "Whom have you decided to appoint as the judge?" the members asked the old man.
"I know there are many council members who dislike my nephew," said the old man. "Naturally, Kabir doesn't trust them. I know, however, that he trusts his best friend. I would like to ask Ali to be the judge in this case."
Kabir couldn't believe his luck. He could hardly keep from smiling.
Ali, who still hoped to be able to get out of his awkward position, said earnestly, "Uncle, you know that Kabir and I are good friends..."
"I respect your friendship," interrupted Kabir's uncle, "but a judge is above friendship and family ties. That is why the Lady of Justice is blindfolded. I have full faith in you, and trust that you too will close your eyes to all else but justice and fairness when you pronounce your judgement."
Ali agreed and seated himself on the judge's chair. "Kabir, you have been my friend for as long as I can remember," he said, "but in the eyes of the law, you and your uncle are in the same position. Both of you will get an opportunity to defend yourselves. Your uncle has made his complaint before the judge and the council. You may now defend yourself."
Kabir chuckled secretly and told the council his side of the story.
Ali then began questioning Kabir. To Kabir's surprise, the questions were well thought out and each one, bit by bit, unveiled the truth.
Kabir couldn't believe what was happening. What had happened to Ali? Had he forgotten that they were friend?
As Kabir began to feel more confused with each passing second, Ali closed his eyes. He could hear the eager whispers among the crowd. Everyone was waiting with bated breath to hear his decision.
Taking a deep breath, Ali spoke, "I have heard both sides of the case.The money that Kabir's uncle willed to him is far more than Kabir could possibly have spent on his food and medicines. The council also believes that Kabir promised to care for his uncle in return for receiving his wealth. Kabir has not kept his word. This council orders Kabir to return the money due to his uncle and help him find a new home."
No two friends could have been more different from each other than Kabir and Ali, Kabir was an outgoing flamboyant businessman. His flourishing business had turned him into the town's richest man. Ali, on the other hand, was a quiet man. He was also poor, and his small tract of land barely helped him feed his family.
However, the friendship between the two men was as strong as the differences were many. There was rarely a day when the two didn't meet. Every time they had something to share, good or bad they always turned to each other.
Kabir had an uncle. Extremely frail, the elderly man could no longer look after himself. Kabir offered to look after his uncle if the latter willed all his wealth to him. The old man gave away his money and his house to Kabir, and began to live with him.
Soon Kabir and his wife began to ill-treat the old man. They mocked him, barely gave him enough to eat and were very unkind to him. Unable to bear the suffering, the old man said, "I think all of us will be happier if we stay apart. Please return the money I gave you, and I shall find myself a new home."
"What money?" Kabir retorted. "All the money you gave us has already been spent on your medicines, clothes and food. There is nothing left to give you."
The old man knew that Kabir was lying. He cried out in anger, "Kabir, if you do not return my money, I will have to complain to the town council."
Kabir did not fear the council. There was not a single man for whom he had not done a favor, and the townspeople turned to him when they were in need of money. Kabir was sure that the town council would favor him, not his uncle.
The old uncle approached the council members to plead his case. "The rules of the town council demand that you choose the judge," they told him. You must decide who will preside over your case.
The old man went round the town looking for a man who would be fair and just while presiding over his case. He finally reached Ali's cottage. "Will you please sit as the town council judge when I present my case?" asked the old man.
"I respect your wishes, Sir," said Ali, but Kabir is my dearest friend."
"Is your friendship greater than justice and fairness?" demanded the old man.
On the day set for the hearing, the council members and all the towns people assembled. "Whom have you decided to appoint as the judge?" the members asked the old man.
"I know there are many council members who dislike my nephew," said the old man. "Naturally, Kabir doesn't trust them. I know, however, that he trusts his best friend. I would like to ask Ali to be the judge in this case."
Kabir couldn't believe his luck. He could hardly keep from smiling.
Ali, who still hoped to be able to get out of his awkward position, said earnestly, "Uncle, you know that Kabir and I are good friends..."
"I respect your friendship," interrupted Kabir's uncle, "but a judge is above friendship and family ties. That is why the Lady of Justice is blindfolded. I have full faith in you, and trust that you too will close your eyes to all else but justice and fairness when you pronounce your judgement."
Ali agreed and seated himself on the judge's chair. "Kabir, you have been my friend for as long as I can remember," he said, "but in the eyes of the law, you and your uncle are in the same position. Both of you will get an opportunity to defend yourselves. Your uncle has made his complaint before the judge and the council. You may now defend yourself."
Kabir chuckled secretly and told the council his side of the story.
Ali then began questioning Kabir. To Kabir's surprise, the questions were well thought out and each one, bit by bit, unveiled the truth.
Kabir couldn't believe what was happening. What had happened to Ali? Had he forgotten that they were friend?
As Kabir began to feel more confused with each passing second, Ali closed his eyes. He could hear the eager whispers among the crowd. Everyone was waiting with bated breath to hear his decision.
Taking a deep breath, Ali spoke, "I have heard both sides of the case.The money that Kabir's uncle willed to him is far more than Kabir could possibly have spent on his food and medicines. The council also believes that Kabir promised to care for his uncle in return for receiving his wealth. Kabir has not kept his word. This council orders Kabir to return the money due to his uncle and help him find a new home."
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