| It was evening. The vegetable market was full of buyers. Gopi, a hard-working and clever man, had his tea-shop on one end of the market. On the other end of the market was a police outpost.
Two young men got off a bike and entered Gopi's shop. While drinking tea, one of those men handed Gopi a 100-rupee-note and said, "While we are drinking tea, you cut your dues and give us the balance."
"But sir, I don't have change. I have earned only Rs. 70-80 since morning," said Gopi.
"Oh! Well, you can keep this note and give me Rs. 70-80. I will take the rest of my money tomorrow," said one of them, while sipping his tea.
"Wait sir, let me try and get change from the shops nearby."
On his way to the neighbouring fruit-shop, Gopi wondered why his customers gave him the 100-rupee-note, when he had clearly seen crisp notes of fivers and tenners lying is one of the men's bag. "Strange are the ways of customers," he frowned.
Gopi went to many shops but could not get the change.
All of a sudden, Gopi realized why his customers did not give him change and why were they ready to take even Rs. 70-80. Gopi was puzzled.
By this time, however, he had reached the other end of the market. The police outpost was at one corner. Walking fast, Gopi went to the police constables and told them about his customers.
"Sir, I think that this is a fake note."
 The policemen looked at 100-rupee-note carefully, turning it from all sides. They too were sure that it was a fake one. On Gopi's suggestion, 3 policemen in plain clothes accompanied him to the shop.
The 2 young men had by this time finished their tea and were waiting for Gopi. The latter went to them and said in a low tone, "Sir, here is your note. I could not get change for it."
One of those men took the note and was about to keep it in his bag, when the policemen in plain clothes pounced upon them. The customers were taken aback. They thought they being robbed. Just then the Police Inspector came and arrested them.
Later, on interrogation, young men confessed that they had Rs 5 lakh worth fake currency notes, out of which they had already circulated Rs 10 thousand in the market.
Soon the news of Gopi's wisdom and presence of mind spread in the town like wildfire and he was rewarded by the Collector in a function organized by the townsfolk. |
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