The Mice That Ate Iron: Once upon a time, there was a wealthy businessman named Naduk. Unfortunately, times grew incredibly tough, and his once-thriving business began to fail. Realizing he needed a fresh start, Naduk decided to leave the city to rebuild his fortune elsewhere. He sold off most of his belongings and paid his debts. By the time he was done, his only remaining valuable possession was a massive, heavy iron beam.
The Mice That Ate Iron
Before leaving town, Naduk went to say goodbye to his good friend, Lakshman. “Could you hold onto this iron beam for me until I return?” Naduk asked. Lakshman happily agreed, promising to keep it completely safe.
Years passed. Naduk traveled far and wide, working hard and eventually rebuilding his wealth. Happy and successful once again, he returned to his hometown, bought a beautiful new house, and set up his business. Naturally, he went to visit his old friend Lakshman, who welcomed him warmly.
After catching up, Naduk asked for his iron beam back.
Lakshman, however, had grown greedy. He knew the heavy iron was worth a lot of money and didn’t want to part with it. Feigning sympathy, Lakshman sighed, “I am so sorry, my friend. I stored your beam in the storeroom, but a plague of mice got in and ate the entire thing!”
Naduk knew this was a ridiculous lie—mice obviously do not eat solid iron. But instead of getting angry, he simply smiled and nodded. “That is a shame, but it isn’t your fault,” Naduk replied calmly. “Animals will do what animals do.”
Relieved that Naduk had fallen for it, Lakshman relaxed. Before leaving, Naduk said, “I bought a special gift for you during my travels. Could you send your fifteen-year-old son, Ramu, home with me so he can bring it back to you?” Lakshman happily agreed and sent Ramu along with Naduk.
As soon as they reached Naduk’s house, Naduk locked the teenager safely inside a hidden cellar.
When evening fell and Ramu still hadn’t returned, a panicked Lakshman rushed to Naduk’s house. “Where is my son?” he demanded.
Naduk looked at him with tragic eyes. “I am so sorry, Lakshman. As we were walking near my house, a giant vulture swooped down from the sky, grabbed Ramu by his shoulders, and carried him off!”
Lakshman was furious. “You liar!” he screamed. “A vulture cannot carry away a fifteen-year-old boy!”
“And mice cannot eat a heavy iron beam!” Naduk fired back.
The argument escalated until Lakshman dragged Naduk before the town’s judge. In the courtroom, Lakshman passionately told the judge how Naduk had kidnapped his son. The judge sternly ordered Naduk to return the boy at once.
“But Your Honor, I am telling the truth!” Naduk insisted with a straight face. “A vulture swooped down and carried him away. What could I do?”
The judge frowned. “Do not insult my intelligence. How is it possible for a bird to carry off a teenager?”
Naduk smiled slightly. “Your Honor, in a town where tiny mice can eat a massive, solid iron beam, it is possible for a vulture to carry off a young boy.”
Confused, the judge demanded an explanation. Naduk proceeded to tell the entire courtroom the story of his iron beam and Lakshman’s ridiculous lie. The whole courtroom erupted into roaring laughter.
Realizing he had been outsmarted, Lakshman hung his head in shame. The judge then issued his final order. Lakshman must return the valuable iron beam to Naduk. In exchange, Naduk would safely return Lakshman’s son.
The Moral: Deceit often backfires. If you tell an absurd lie to cheat a friend, do not be surprised. They might use your own foolish logic against you.
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