No. 90
The Foolish Youth
In a certain country there are a woman and a man and a youth (their son), it is said.
While they were there, the woman having given eight panams[1] to the youth said, “Son, take these eight panams to the shop and bring two plates.”
After that, the youth taking the eight panams to the shop said to the trader, “Mudalāli, give me two plates.” The trader, taking two plates, gave them to the youth.
The youth said, “How is the price for these plates?”
Then the trader said, “For one plate it is seven tuttu (quarter paṇams); for two plates give me fourteen tuttu (= three and a half paṇams).
After that, the youth says, “Mudalāli, are you trying to cheat me? You cannot cheat me. I will not give fourteen tuttu; also I did not bring fourteen tuttu. Mother gave me eight panams.[2] For the eight panams she told me to get two plates. If you will give them for the eight panams, give me two plates.”
Having said this, and given the eight panams to the trader, while he was coming away, taking the two plates, he met with a gang of thieves. Having met with them, they asked at the hand of the youth, “Where did you go?”