75. Courtesy

 Courtesy 

Once upon a time, there lived a poor Brahmin in a village. He used to perform poojas and hawans in the nearby villages. Once another Brahmin came to his house and said, “I’ve to perform some pooja. Will you kindly allow me to stay in your house for a few days?” 

The Brahmin gladly received him and allowed him to stay in his house. 

One day, the Brahmin said to his wife, “Today is Sankranti. See that our Brahmin guest is fed well. A guest is equivalent to God. So be courteous to him.” 

The Brahmin’s wife became angry to hear this and said, “It’s not enough to be courteous only. There must be something in the house to offer to the guest for eating. Unfortunately, I’ve nothing in my kitchen to offer. Besides, you never made ornaments for me nor did you ever buy good clothes for me. Such is the situation in this house. And you ask me to take full care of your guest.” 

She argued with the Brahmin but he kept his cool. 

The Brahmin consoled his wife, “Dear, I know, we’re poor but even then we should offer some food to our guest. It’s more of the expression of our good feelings than the real food.” 

Then the Brahmin’s wife said, “I’ve a little sesame seed in the house. I’ll make some dish of it and offer to the Brahmin guest.” 

She prepared the sweet dish from the sesame seeds and offered it to the guest. 

Moral:– Courtesy is the sign of good behaviour.

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