Once upon a time, there was a rich merchant called Gopal. But times were bad and his business was suffering. He decided to leave the city and find his fortune in a new place. He sold off all his possessions and paid off his debts.
All that he had left was a heavy iron beam. Gopal went to say goodbye to his friend Ahmed, and requested him to keep the beam for him till he returned. Ahmed promised to look after it for him.
For many years, Gopal traveled far and wide, building his fortune. Luck was with him, for he became rich once again. He returned home and bought a new house and started his business again. He went to visit his friend Ahmed who greeted him warmly. After a while, Gopal asked him to return his beam. Ahmed knew that the beam would fetch him good money so he was loath to return it. So he told Gopal that he had kept his beam in the store-room and the mice ate it.
Gopal did not seem to mind. He asked Ahmed to send his son home with him so that he could hand over a gift that he had bought for him. So Ahmed sent his son Ramu with Gopal.
Gopal locked up Ramu in a cellar in his house. By nightfall, Ahmed was worried and came to ask about the whereabouts of his son. Gopal replied that on the way to his house, a hawk swooped down and carried the boy off. Ahmed accused Gopal of lying. He insisted that a hawk could not carry off a fifteen-year-old boy.
A big fight ensued and the matter was taken to court. When the magistrate heard Ahmed's side of the story, he ordered Gopal to return the boy to his father. But Gopal insisted that a hawk carried off the boy. The magistrate asked him how it was possible. He replied,that if a huge iron beam can be eaten by mice, then a boy could definitely be carried off by a hawk.
Gopal related the whole story. Everyone in the courtroom burst out laughing. The magistrate then ordered Ahmed to return the iron beam to Gopal and that Gopal return Ahmed's son to him.
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