Passage 18

In English

In the ’s times, there was a particular village headman who despised the holy man and his teachings. Once, he heard that and his disciples were coming to his village. The tyrannical headman ordered all the villagers to shut the doors of their houses and refrain from giving alms to them. While the villagers followed his order, the headman himself stood near the entrance to his own house. Arriving with his followers, went to the headman’s house to ask for alms - “”, he said. The latter lost his temper and hurled abuse upon abuse at in the most uncivil language. Just as he was about to hit the sage, smiled and said, “I have a doubt. Suppose you give me alms thatI do not accept. What will you do then!” The haughty headman answered, “I will take them back.” Hearing this, asked in the most polite manner, “You have offered me insult and calumny. I do not accept them; you must, therefore, take them back.” The headman became silent and hung his head in shame and remorse.