The False Witnesses Trapped

Once upon a time, Maryada Rama had become famous throughout the kingdom for his wisdom.

People traveled from distant villages, bringing their hardest disputes to his court. Everyone believed that if Rama heard a case, the truth would surely be found.

One bright morning, two men arrived before him. Both bowed respectfully. But each told a very different story.

The first man stepped forward.

"Your Honor, four years ago, before leaving on a long pilgrimage, I entrusted a precious ruby to this man for safekeeping. I have now returned, but he refuses to give it back."

The second man shook his head at once.

"That is not true, Your Honor. I returned the ruby long ago. And I have three witnesses who saw me return it."

Rama was silent for a moment. Then he said calmly, "Very well. Bring the witnesses."

Soon, three men entered the courtroom. A washerman, a barber, and a cook.

Each declared confidently, "Yes, Your Honor. We saw the ruby being returned."

People in the court began whispering. The witnesses all agreed. The case looked almost impossible.

But Rama's eyes noticed something unusual. The three witnesses looked nervous, as if they had memorized their answers.

Instead of questioning them further, Rama smiled gently. Then he gave an unexpected instruction.

"Bring me five pieces of soft clay."

Everyone looked puzzled. Even the king's ministers exchanged curious glances.

When the clay arrived, Rama handed one piece to each person. The two men, and the three witnesses.

"I want each of you to make a clay model of the precious ruby," he said. "You have until sunset."

The courtroom fell silent.

The two men began shaping their clay at once. After all, both of them had actually seen the ruby.

But the three witnesses looked at one another in confusion. They had never seen the ruby at all.

The washerman thought hard. "A washing stone must be precious," he decided, and shaped the flat stone he used for washing clothes.

The barber made a sharpening stone for razors.

The cook smiled proudly and molded the grinding stone he used for spices.

Each believed the most valuable stone was the one he used every day.

By evening, all five clay models were placed before Rama. He quietly examined each one.

Then a gentle smile appeared on his face.

Looking at the three witnesses, he said, "These models tell me something very important. They prove that you have never seen the ruby."

The courtroom gasped. The three witnesses lowered their heads.

Rama turned to the second man.

"You paid these men to lie for you. Anyone who had truly seen the ruby would have shaped something like a ruby, not the tools of his own trade."

The dishonest man knew his trick had failed. He fell to his knees.

"I confess. The ruby is still with me. I was greedy, and I hoped no one would discover the truth."

Rama ordered the ruby returned to its rightful owner. The dishonest man and the false witnesses received a fitting punishment for trying to deceive the court.

The first man bowed gratefully. "Thank you, Your Honor. You have given me justice."

Rama smiled kindly.

"Truth may hide for a little while. But lies can never hide forever."

A lie may find many voices to support it, but the truth needs only one chance to reveal itself.