Mullah Nazaruddin: Sharing Money

Badru and Shankat were neighbours. But they were of opposite nature.

 

Badru was a hard working man. Each day he took his hatchet and went to the woods. He cut down a tree and sold the wood in the market. That is how he earned his living.

 

Shankat was a lazy man. He never did any work. He spent his time eating good food and wandering in the market.

 

One morning, as usual Badru started for the forest. Shankat met him on the way. Then Shankat said, "Badru, I am also coming with you today. I will help you in your duties."

 

"Welcome," said Badru.

 

So they went into the forest. Badru selected a tree and started cutting down its branches.

 

Shankat sat on a stone nearby. He said, "Badru, you are doing good work. Keep it up." After sometime, he lay down and slept.

 

Around noon, Badru stopped his work. He took out his lunch box. He shared his lunch with Shankat. After the meal, Shankat went back to sleep. Badru started working again. Before evening, he cut down the tree, chopped the wood to pieces, and bundled them. Then he carried the firewood to the market. He sold it for ten coins. Then Shankat said, "Give me my share of

 

the money." "For what?" asked Badru. "You didn't do any work."

 

"But I encouraged you with my words," said Shankat.

 

After quarrelling for a while, they approached Mullah Nazaruddin and said, "Please settle this dispute."

 

They told him the whole story.

 

"Alright," said the Mullah. "I will assist you divide the ten coins. We can divide it as five and five." Shankat looked happy.

 

"Or," said Mullah Nazaruddin. "We can divide it as six and four. Or seven and three. Or eight and two. Or nine and one. Or ten and zero. Yes, that's right. Badru who did all the work will get ten coins. Shankat, who slept the whole day, will get zero." Badru thanked Mullah Nazaruddin.