Mitraviveka: Choosing Friends

True friends vs fair-weather friends

Two tales about choosing companions wisely. The Fair-Weather Friends reveals who stays when times get tough, while The Loyal Companion shows the value of a true friend who stands by you always.

The Fair-Weather Friends

Dhanapati was the richest merchant in the city. His house was always full of friends, at least, that's what he thought. Every evening, people gathered at his mansion. They ate his food, drank his drinks, and laughed at all his jokes.

"Dhanapati is my best friend!" they would say.

"I would do anything for him!"

"We're friends forever!"

But Tenali, visiting the merchant one day, noticed something interesting. These 'friends' never visited when there was no party. They never helped with work. They just showed up when there was something to enjoy.

"I wonder," Tenali said to the merchant, "how many of these friends would stay if you lost your wealth?"

Dhanapati laughed. "Lose my wealth? Impossible! But even if I did, my friends would help me. We've known each other for years!"

Tenali smiled mysteriously. "Want to find out?"

The next week, Dhanapati spread a rumor. He'd lost everything! Bad investments, failed ships, stolen goods, all gone. He was ruined.

He watched what happened next.

The first friend he met on the street suddenly remembered an urgent appointment. The second saw him coming and crossed to the other side of the road. The third made excuses and promised to visit, but never did.

One by one, his 'friends' disappeared.

Some avoided him completely. Some made weak excuses. Some even demanded repayment of small loans they'd forgotten about when he was rich.

By the end of the week, of the hundred friends who had filled his mansion, only ONE remained.

His name was Bhaskar, a humble schoolteacher. He came to Dhanapati's door with vegetables and rice.

"I heard what happened," Bhaskar said. "I don't have much, but we can share what I have until you get back on your feet."