Crime And Punishment .

That was a roadside tea shop. Some 10 people were standing on the platform outside the tea shop either drinking tea or waiting for tea . Govindan Nair was preparing tea for them . His friend Achyuthan was standing near him , taking a cup of tea. .

An old gentleman with full grey hairs, and a jolna bag hanging from his shoulder, came to the shop . He asked Nair for a cup of tea, got it , drank it , kept the glass on the table and started to move.

Achyuthan was silently observing .

Nair called the old man with the help of someone taking tea there .

“ You didn't pay for the tea “, said Nair .

“ Oh ,......” murmured the old man , “ how much ?”

“ 10 rupees”, said Nair .

The old man was trying to pick up the amount from his pocket. .

Achyuthan , in a low voice , asked Nair ,

“ is it not 8 rupees , why did you ask him to pay 10 rupees for a tea ?”

Nair said ,”without making payment he tried to move away”.

Achyuthan said,” obviously , he forgot “ .


The old man gave a 20 rupee note to Nair.

Nair received the note and kept it in the cash box ; he then started to prepare tea for others .

The old man, without demanding for the balance, started to move .


Nair prepared tea and gave them to two persons . By this time the old man had covered a distance of about five metres.


Achyuthan told Nair ,”you didn't return the balance to him “.

“Oh! I forgot “, said Nair ,” please call him “.

Again , someone waiting for tea, called the old man and he came to the tea shop .

Nair returned the 20 rupee note to the old gentleman.