Illisa the Cheap (Miserliness)

　　Once upon a time, there was a billionaire in northern India. He was an adviser to a king. Although he was very rich. he was not at all good looking. He was lame due to crooked feet, and his hands were also deformed into crooked positions. His eyes were crooked too, that is to say, he was cross-eyed. And some would say he had a crooked mind as well, for he was without any religion whatsoever! You might think people would call him, ”Illisa the Crooked”, but that was not the case.

　　Illisa also happened to be a miser, one who will not give anything to anybody. He would not even spend any of his wealth on his own enjoyment. Therefore, it was said that his home was like a pond possessed by demons, where no one could quench his thirst.

　　However, Illisa”s ancestors, going back seven generations, were the most generous of gift givers. They gave away the very best of their possessions. But when Illisa inherited the family fortune, he abandoned that great family tradition.

　　The family had always maintained a charity dining hall, where anyone could come for a free hot meal. Illisa burned this free food kitchen to the ground, since he wanted to be rid of the expense. Then he pushed the poor and hungry from his door, hitting them as they went. He quickly earned a reputation for hoarding all his wealth and possessions. Soon people began calling him, ”Illisa the Cheap”.

　　One day when he was returning home from advising the king, Illisa saw a tired worn out villager by the side of the road. He had obviously walked a great distance. He was sitting on the ground pouring cheap wine into a cup. He was drinking it, along with some smelly dried fish.

　　Seeing this made Illisa thirsty for a drink of liquor. Then he thought, "I would love to have a drink! But if I do, others may want to drink with me, and that could cost me money!" For that reason alone, he suppressed his craving for alcohol.

　　As time passed, his craving did not disappear. Instead, fighting it and worrying constantly made him look sick. His skin turned yellow, and he became thinner and thinner until the veins stuck out from his flesh. He fought a constant battle against his thirst for liquor. He slept face down, holding onto the bed tightly while he slept.

　　His wife began to notice the changes in him. One day, while massaging his back to comfort him, she asked, "Are you sick, my husband

　　" "No," said Illisa. Mid the king get angry at you

　　" she asked. "No," said he. "Have our children or the servants done anything to upset you

　　" asked his wife. Again he said "No." "Do you have a strong craving for something

　　" she continued.

　　Illisa the Cheap kept silent. He was afraid that if he told her it might end up costing him money! But his wife began pleading, "Tell me, please tell me." Finally, swallowing hard and clearing his throat, he answered, "Yes, I do have a strong craving." "A craving for what

　　" she asked. "For a drink of alcoholic liquor," he admitted at last.

　　"Oh, is that all!" said his wife. "Why didn”t you tell me this at first

　　 You are not poor. You can easily afford to buy a drink for yourself and the whole city as well! Shall I brew a big batch of liquor for us all

　　"

　　Of course this was not what Illisa the Cheap wanted to hear. He blurted out. ”Why should we give liquor to others

　　 Let them earn their own!" Then his wife asked. "Well then, what about just for us and our neighbors

　　" "I didn”t know you had become so rich all of a sudden!" he shot back at her. Mow about just our household

　　" she asked. Mow generous you are with my money!" he replied. "All right then," she said, "I will brew just enough liquor for you and me, my husband." "Why should you be included

　　 Women should not drink liquor!"

　　"Now I understand you perfectly well!" said Illisa”s wife. …

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