45. The Diamond
Stone
Once in a forest, a
washerman was going with his donkey hanging a stone in his neck. A jeweler on
his way, got his eyes on the stone. He recognized the stone as a diamond but
the washerman, not acquainted with this fact, got surprised to know that the jeweler
wanted to buy the stone. The washerman demanded one rupee for the stone. But
the jeweler refused and went ahead. Again, the washerman met another jeweler
who also recognized the stone to be a diamond and showed his intention to buy
it. The amazed washerman priced it ₹2; the second jeweler nodded his head and
gave him two rupees for the stone and took it. Meanwhile, the first jeweler
came back to him panting heavily and offered one rupee for the stone but soon
turned pale to know that the stone had already been sold. Then he revealed that
the ordinary stone was actually a diamond and addressed the washerman foolish.
Thereupon, the washerman said, “You are more foolish than I.”
Moral: Opportunities seldom come.