The Big Talk
The Big Talk :
It was the marriage of the son of a farmer of a village. There was festive atmosphere in the house. The women of the house were singing. There were a lot of people gathered outside the house.
The people were joking and laughing. Everyone was telling something. The shopkeeper of the village boasted, ‘You know what happened yesterday?'
“What happened?' other asked.
“I met the fief of the village. He greeted me and asked me about my welfare."
The people spoke, ‘That is impossible. The fief is an arrogant man. He does not know the polite language."
The farmer's son Roger was listening to this talk. He boasted, 'Hey uncle! That's nothing. I can come back after having meals with the fief."
The people laughed. An elder advised, ‘Son! A person must talk according to one's position. You should not talk tall. The fief is our king. He won’t even allow farmers like us in his presence."
Roger laughed. He was a good talker and was a clever boy. He remarked politely. ‘Grandpa! I am not making tall claims. I speak the truth."
The village shopkeeper was feeling insulted. He challenged, 'Son Roger' if you really manage to have dinner or lunch with the fief, I will give you a big reward. You shouldn't be a big mouth, kid.'
‘So, what reward would you give? Will you give me both your horses?' Roger asked.
‘Not only both horse but I will give you my milch cow too, son." The shopkeeper said haughtily and asked, ‘But tell me one thing, if you fail to have meals with the fief within one day, what will you give me?"
“Alright If I fail I will be your slave for three years,’ Roger replied.
Everyone looked at Roger. He had taken up a challenge that was impossible to meet.
The very next morning Roger went to the mansion of the fief. The gatekeeper stopped him. Roger said to him, ‘Go in and ask the fief if he knows about the bricks of gold Or else. I am going to someone else.'
The gatekeeper was puzzled. He rushed in and told about it to the fief. The fief was equally puzzled. He tried to appear calm and ordered, 'Bring in the boy. And arrange for our lunch."
Roger was respectfully led in and seated at the dinner table. The lunch and the fruits were laid out. In short while the fief also arrived there and took his seat. He asked.’ Who are you son? What does your father do?"
Roger answered. 'My name is Roger Sir. My father is a farmer. I was just wanting to know how much a brick of gold meant in terms of money. What one could buy in that money?"
The fief was still very puzzled. He informed Roger, “Son, a brick of gold means a big money. It can buy lards and great many cattle or anything. And it depends on the weight of the brick to know the exact value. Let me see the brick. How many bricks have you got? Is it just one brick? Bring the brick to me. I will give you a good price." The fief was eating grapes as his interest in the gold brick was increasing.
But Roger was quietly eating his lunch with a great relish. The fief thought that the boy was not assured of getting the good price from him. So, he said reassuringly, ‘Son…You will get whatever price you want. I will give you lands. Trust me and bring the bricks to me.'
Roger revealed, ‘Sir, I never said that I had the gold bricks. I was just trying to learn the value of a gold brick. If tomorrow or on some any future day I get such bricks…"
“Get out. you rascal! Are you trying to fool me?" the fief angrily thundered and called out to his solders.
'Don't take trouble please. I am going myself," Roger said and added while departing, "Why should I need lands or cattle from you? I shall be getting two horses and a milch cow for having lunch with you."
The fief stared at the departing figure of talkative Roger.
The Big Talk :
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