The Merchant and the Iron Balance

In a certain city, there lived a merchant named Naduka. He was once very wealthy, but due to a series of misfortunes, he lost his riches and became poor. He decided to travel to a foreign land to seek his fortune once again. Before leaving, he went to his friend Lakshmana and asked him to safeguard a massive iron balance that weighed a thousand kilograms, which was an heirloom from his ancestors. Lakshmana agreed to keep it safely until Naduka returned.

Years later, Naduka returned to the city as a wealthy man. He visited Lakshmana and requested his iron balance back. However, Lakshmana had grown greedy and wanted to keep the valuable iron for himself. He lied to Naduka, saying, 'My friend, I am so sorry. I kept the balance in my storehouse, but the mice there were so hungry that they ate the entire iron balance. Nothing is left of it.' Naduka immediately realized that his friend was lying, as it is impossible for mice to eat iron. However, instead of arguing, he calmly replied, 'Well, if the mice have eaten it, it is not your fault. Such is the way of the world; nothing lasts forever.'

Naduka then asked Lakshmana, 'I am going to the river for a bath. Could you please send your son, Ramu, with me to look after my belongings?' Thinking that Naduka was not suspicious, Lakshmana happily sent his son. After reaching the river, Naduka hid the boy in a nearby cave and blocked the entrance with a large rock. He then returned to Lakshmana's house alone.

When Lakshmana saw Naduka alone, he frantically asked, 'Where is my son?' Naduka pretended to be distressed and said, 'A terrible thing happened! While I was bathing, a giant hawk swooped down from the sky and carried your son away.' Lakshmana flew into a rage and shouted, 'You are a liar! How can a hawk carry away a full-grown boy?' Naduka looked him in the eye and said, 'My friend, if mice can eat a thousand kilograms of iron, then surely a hawk can carry away a boy.' Realizing that his lie had been caught, Lakshmana felt ashamed. He apologized to Naduka, returned the iron balance, and in exchange, Naduka brought his son back safely.