The Merchant of Seriva

In the city of Andhapura, there were two hawkers who sold pots and trinkets. One was a greedy, deceitful man, and the other was an honest, kind merchant (the Bodhisatta). They divided the streets so they wouldn't compete.

In one street lived an old woman and her granddaughter. They were desperately poor, but they kept an old, soot-covered bowl that had belonged to their wealthy ancestors. When the greedy hawker passed by, the girl begged her grandmother to trade the bowl for a toy.

The greedy hawker took the bowl and secretly scratched the soot. Seeing the bright gold underneath, he realized it was a priceless solid gold bowl. Wanting it for nothing, he threw the bowl on the ground, saying, 'This is worthless junk! I won't give you even a cheap toy for it,' hoping they would throw it away so he could pick it up later.

Later, the honest hawker came down the same street. The grandmother showed him the same bowl. The honest merchant cleaned it, saw the gold, and said, 'Mother, this is a bowl of pure gold! All the goods and money in my cart are not enough to pay for it.'

Impressed by his honesty, the old woman said, 'Take it, my son, give us whatever you can.' The merchant gave them all his 500 coins and all his wares, keeping only his scales and enough money for a ferry ride back.

When the greedy hawker returned to claim the 'worthless' bowl, he found out the honest man had bought it. Realizing he had lost a massive fortune due to his own greed and deception, he suffered a severe heart attack and died on the spot.