Way of Life Part 2

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

Page 99

DISCOURSE 30
87
to give him valuable ornaments worth lakhs of rupees to be sold by him. He too was carrying on his occupation with absolute honesty.
One day, he took from a merchant omaments worth one lakh rupees and was going to another shop. On the way he met a stranger who appeared to be a noble householder. The stranger said to him, "Look here, young man. I have heard people praise your honesty. I want a necklace. If you can get me a good one, I will give you whatever commission you may charge for it”. The young man said, "I have an excellent necklace with me. If you like it, pay me the price and take it now". The stranger said, “My wife has to approve of the necklace. You kindly visit my house. If my wife approves of it, I will pay you the price, at once". The broker agreed to this arrangement. They hailed a taxi and sat in it. The taxi was running in the direction shown by the householder. The taxi, which was going at a great speed passed through Dadar, Khar, Andheri,, and it never halted. After Andheri, the taxi began speeding through a forest. The broker became suspicious. Repeatedly, he asked the driver to stop the taxi, but he did not. The stranger who had the appearance of a noble householder took out his revolver; and pointing it at his head, said, “Do not shout. If you shout, I will break your skull”.
THE BROKER WAS DECEIVED
The broker became still and silent. This was the first time that such an incident was taking place, in his life. The taxi stopped before a house in the forest. The dacoit took the broker into the house. It was a three-storeyed house. The dacoit took him to the third storey; and said, "Be sitting. I will come back soon".
The dacoit went down. The broker thought; "I think it is impossible to escape from here. What will the merchants in the market think when they cannot find me ? What will the merchant who gave me this necklace, think of me? They will lose confidence in my honesty and trustworthiness. People will not trust other honest men also. A great calamity will come