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84. A BURGLAR AND A FARMER
A burglar cut a neat hole in the shape of a lotus in a wall of a merchant's house and committed theft. Next morning he went back to the same house to see what comments people had to make on the burglary. He heard people admiring his skill but a certain farmer there made a remark that it should not be difficult for any one to show this sort of skill after years of practice. The burglar felt very resentful towards the farmer and found out his exact address and location. He went to the farmer with a sharp knife, assailed him and threatened to kill him. When the farmer asked him what exactly he had done to deserve such a treatment the burglar reminded him of his remark that morning when they were all around the merchant's burgled house. He had not admired his skill enough. The farmer said that it should not be difficult to do a job well if one has been doing the same sort of job for a long time. "For instance, look at me." He said to the burglar, "I have been working on the field for such a long time sowing and reaping etc. Now look at the seeds in my hand. Tell me whether I should drop them on the soil with th eves up or down or all sideways." The burglar said he would like all of them with their eyes down. The farmer spread on the ground a piece of cloth and dropped all the seeds exactly as the burglar had directed. They all fell uniformly with their eyes down. The burglar was greatly impressed. He could not praise the farmer's skill enough.
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