Once there lived two brothers in the city of Pataliputra. The elder brother was Yagnasoma and the younger brother was Kirtisoma. The father of the two brothers was extremely rich and on his death, the two brothers shared the father’s wealth and both became wealthy.
Kirtisoma invested his money in business and was able to become even more richer.
But Yagnasoma wasted away his money in his indulgences.
Soon Yagnasoma was reduced to poverty.
Yagnasoma turned to his wife sadly. “Now that we are poor, we cannot live in this city anymore. I cannot live and face my relatives here anymore.”
Yagnasoma’s wife realized that her husband had spoken the right thing. But she was still worried. “We do not have money for travel. How can we travel?”
Yagnasoma was startled. “I do not know how we do it. But we must leave.”
His wife sighed. “In that case, you must first go to Kirtisoma and ask him for some money for the journey.”
Yagnasoma realized that his wife was right and went to his younger brother’s house.
There, Yagnasoma met Kirtisoma’s wife first.
Kirtisoma’s wife flatly refused to help Yagnasoma. “How can we give money to a man who has lost all his wealth. If we do that in your case, then every single poor person around will come to us to give them money.”
Kirtisoma realized that his wife’s words were right and he also refused to help his brother.
Adapted from the Katha Sarith Sagara
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