The Brahmin and the Three Crooks

A Brahmin once received a healthy goat as a gift and carried it home on his shoulders. Three crooks saw him and wanted the goat, but they knew they could not snatch it openly.

The first crook came along the road and said, "Revered sir, why are you carrying a dirty dog on your shoulders?" The Brahmin was offended. "This is a goat, not a dog," he replied and walked on.

After some distance, the second crook appeared and said with surprise, "O learned one, why would a Brahmin carry a dead calf?" The Brahmin became uneasy but continued walking.

Then the third crook met him and laughed, "What a strange sight. A holy man carrying a dog!" Now the Brahmin was shaken. "If three people have said this, perhaps something is wrong," he thought.

Fearing impurity, he threw the goat aside and hurried away. The three crooks collected the goat and laughed at how repetition had defeated clear seeing.