The Perfect Judgement

Narrator:

In a small town lived a judge by name Rikab. He was famous for the
fairness of his judgement. The entire town and the nearby villages
used to come for his judgement. He had a rich friend who had
several shops. He also used run a poultry shop.

Rikab enters the scene. Walks slowly twirling his moustache.

Narrator:

One day Rikab went to the shop to buy chicken. When he was
walking through a market he saw a crowd outside the poultry shop.

Rikab:

Whats the matter? Why is there such a huge crowd here?

Spectator 1: Sir, one peasant has accidentally dropped a heavy sack on a small
chicken crushing it to death.
Rikab:

A chicken has died. What is this fuss all about?

Spectator 2: Sir, the owner of the shop is asking for money to compensate for
the dead chicken.
Rikab:

All right. Fair enough. Let him pay the price of the chicken and
leave.

Spectator 3: The owner is a very cunning man. The chicken was very small
worthonly about 5 coins but the owner is demanding 100 coins from
the poor peasant.
Rikab:

Starts laughing heartily

Spectator 1: Sir, why do you laugh?

Rikab:

No Noand for his senseless argument there are so many viewers

Spectator 2: Sir, Why dont you help the poor peasant?

Rikab:

First tell meon what grounds is he asking for 100 coins?

Spectator 3: His argument is that the chicken would have grown into a plump
bird in another two years and would have fetch him the money that
he is asking for.
Chorus:

The judge has come. He will give the correct judgement. He will
teach a lesson to the owner.

Spectator 1: (whispers) But he is a friend of the owner.

Chorus:

So What? He is always fair in his judgement.

Narrator:

The owner was very happy to see his friend. He was very sure that
he will receive 100 coins for his dead chicken.

Owner:

Stands in the corner and keeps smiling.

Welcome to our place sir. Please judge the case and please take
care of my loses.
(Bows in front of the judge) This man, due to his carelessness has
caused death of a chicken that would have fetched me 100 coins in
another two years.

Rikab:

Oh! Really bad. Where is the peasant?

Narrator:

Fear had made the peasants speech incoherent. Nobody could

understand what he was saying. The peasant was looking very poor.

Rikab:

What is your name?

Peasant:

Sir, My name is Nebu.

Rikab:

How can you be so careless?

Nebu:

Sir, I can pay 5 coins but I am too poor to pay 100 coins.

Rikab:

The price put on the chicken in 100 coins. I advise you to pay 100
coins.

Chorus:

gasps!! Look at each other in dismay.

Narrator:

Everyone had expected Rikab to rule in Nebus favour. The owner of

the chicken was overjoyed.

Owner:

They say you are fair in your judgement, My Lord. Now I can say,
there is no one fairer than you.

Spectator 3: Rikab Sir, normally dont do like this.

Rikab:

The law is always fair. But I have a question.

Owner:

Tell me Sir.

Rikab:

Tell me how much grain does a chicken eat in a year?

Chorus:

(whispers to each other ) Why does he ask this?

Owner:

About half a sack My Lord.

Rikab:

Nebu, do you have any idea how much a chicken eat in a year?

Nebu:

No My Lord, I dont know anything about chicken.

Rikab:

(turns to the owner) Are you sure?

Owner:

Sure My Lord.

Rikab:

So, in a year, the chicken that have died, would have eaten a whole
sack of chicken?

Owner:

Yes. My Lord.

Rikab:

Please give a sack of grain that you have saved to this man.

Narrator:

The owner turned pale. The sack of grain would cost more than 100
coins.

Owner:

The chicken has died and how can I pay now?

Rikab:

When you can calculate how much money the dead chicken can
fetch in two years you also have to calculate the amount you have
to spend on the chicken. Is that fair?

Narrator:

The public clapped their hand in great excitement.

Chorus:

Our judge is always great. His judgement never fails.

Spectator 2: In spite of his friendship with the owner he has not given
importance to all these when he gave the judgement.
Narrator:

Nebu fell at the feet of the judge.

Rikab:

You have every right to charge more money from people who come
to buy chicken but dont try to cheat these poor fellows.

Narrator:

The owner bent ghis head down.

Owner:

I dont want any money from Nebu, My Lord.

Rikab:

Good. I have to leave now.

Chorus:

Long live our Judge!

SANIYA MANE VI-A