In a trading town there lived a merchant's son named Jirnadhana, whose fortunes had fallen on hard times. Deciding to travel abroad and earn his living, he looked about for something of value, and found only one treasure left in his house: a massive balance of solid iron, weighed down with the pride of his ancestors, for it had belonged to his grandfather. Before setting out, he carried it to a wealthy friend. “Keep this safe for me, brother, until I return.” The friend agreed warmly, and Jirnadhana went on his travels.
After some years of wandering and modest success, Jirnadhana came home and went to reclaim his balance. The friend, who had long since sold the fine iron, put on a face of great sorrow. “Alas, brother, what can I say? I kept your balance in the storeroom, and the mice ate it up. You know how it is — mice will gnaw anything.” Jirnadhana understood at once, but he showed no anger. “Ah, what can anyone do against mice with such sharp teeth?” he said mildly. “Never mind. I am going to the river to bathe. Send your little son along to carry my things, will you?” The unsuspecting friend, glad the matter had passed so smoothly, sent his young son with him.
After bathing, Jirnadhana quietly led the boy to a nearby cave, settled him safely inside, and rolled a large stone across the mouth. Then he returned alone. “Where is my son?” cried the friend. Jirnadhana sighed with deep regret. “Forgive me, brother. As we stood on the riverbank, a hawk swooped down and carried the boy away.” “A hawk carry off a boy? Impossible! You villain, return my son!” The two went shouting to the village judges, and the friend demanded justice.
The judges, too, scolded Jirnadhana: “How can a hawk carry off a child?” He bowed respectfully. “Honoured sirs, in a town where mice can eat a balance of solid iron, why should a hawk not carry off a boy?” The judges asked what he meant, heard the whole story, and burst out laughing. Their verdict was simple: let the balance come home, and the boy would follow. So the cheat returned the iron balance, received his son, and learned that a trick is repaid in its own coin.