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52
THE WAY OF LIFE
people enjoyed honour and esteem. Even the king honoured them. Lakshmidas thought of the way in which he could safe. guard his wealth. In those days, there were no banks or safe. deposit vaults. People used to bury their wealth underground. Lakshmidas also thought of burying his wealth underground. He bought jewels worth two lakhs, filled them in a vessel, and sealed it. One day, he said to his son, "Dear son! I have earned this wealth by working throughout my life. I want to keep it in a safe place for your sake. So, this night, we will go to the cemetery; and bury it there safely. In future, the money will be useful to you". The young man heard all this.
It was evening. Darkness enveloped the city. Lakshmidas set out carrying the vessel containing the jewels under his arm. His son accompanied him. They looked around often to see if any one was observing them. They did not know that a notorious robber of the city was following them unseen. After reaching the cemetery, they concealed themselves beneath a tree. It was dark in the cemetery; yet the dacoit suspected that they were doing something and he was trying to find out what they were doing. Lakshmidas dug a pit and placed the sealed vessel in it. Then, he filled the pit with earth and stones.
But how could Lakshmidas who was suspicious have peace of mind! He said to his son, “Dear son, we shall go round the cemetery once and see if anyone has been observing us."
The young man replied, "Father, who will be there in a cemetery at such a time as this. You are unnecessarily entertaining doubts and fears". Lakshmidas said, "You are a fool. We should be extremely careful in doing such a thing as this. You have not seen this world. Go round the cemetery. See if there is anyone and then come here”.
The robber heard the words of the Seth. He was in great fright. He thought, “If I run away from here, Lakshmidas will find out that someone has been here and has seen him and his son. In that case, he will take out what he has buried there and carry it back home and I will not be able to get it. What shall I do ?” The robber was thinking. He was a clever fellow. An
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