One day, a farmer was looking for a water source for his farm, when he bought a well from his neighbour. The neighbour, however, was cunning. The next day, as the farmer came to draw water from his well, the neighbour refused to let him take any water.

When the farmer asked why, the neighbour replied, “I sold you the well, not the water,” and walked away. Distraught, the farmer went to the emperor to ask for justice. He explained what had happened.

The emperor called on Birbal, one of his nine, and wisest, courtiers. Birbal proceeded to question the neighbour, “Why don’t you let the farmer take water from the well? You did sell the well to the farmer?”

The neighbour replied, “Birbal, I did sell the well to the farmer but not the water within it. He has no right to draw water from the well.”

Birbal said, “Look, since you sold the well, you have no right to keep the water in the farmer’s well. Either you pay rent to the farmer, or take it out immediately.” Realizing that his scheme had failed, the neighbour apologized and went home.

Moral: Cheating will not get you anything. If you cheat, you’ll pay soon enough.