Story Book | Short Stories

Clever old man

Once upon a time, in the quiet corners of India, an old man eked out a meager existence. Bereft of family and home, he wandered the streets, a shadow among the bustling crowd. But fate had a peculiar twist in store for him.

One day, as the sun dipped low, he stumbled upon a pile of discarded clothes—a black coat, a crisp white shirt, and a pair of black trousers. He donned this newfound attire, and like a chameleon, transformed. Suddenly, he looked the part of a prosperous man.

Inspired by his disguise, he sought out an empty house, its windows boarded up, its secrets buried. Then, with a boldness born of desperation, he approached a wealthy man, pleading for a loan of 100,000 rupees. The rich man scoffed, but the old man persisted, promising repayment soon. He handed over an address—the abandoned house—and the rich man, unsuspecting, agreed.

The old man broke into the vacant dwelling, retrieved the money, and embarked on a spree. He bought what he'd always yearned for: exotic foods, fine clothes, and tickets to distant lands. He savored pizza, relished burgers, and tasted cheeses he'd only dreamed of. The world unfolded before him—the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall, bustling markets, and serene beaches.

But time was a cruel companion. The old man knew his days were numbered. So, he reveled in every moment, savoring life's richness. When the news reached the police—a debt unpaid, a man vanished—they investigated. The truth emerged: the clever old man had played them all. His final act was to die content, having tasted abundance despite his poverty.

And so, in the twilight of his days, he taught us that wealth isn't merely coins and notes—it's the memories we collect, the laughter we share, and the flavors that linger long after we're gone.