Story of the fool who gave a verbal reward to the musician.11
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Somadeva Bhatta, active 11th century and Tawney, C. H. (Charles Henry)
A certain musician once gave great pleasure to a rich man, by singing and playing before him. He thereupon called his treasurer, and said in the hearing of the musician, “Give this man two thousand paṇas.” The treasurer said, “I will do so,” and went out. Then the minstrel went and asked him for those paṇas. But the treasurer, who had an understanding with his master, refused to give them.
Then the musician came and asked the rich man for the paṇas, but he said; “What did you give me, that I should make you a return? You gave a short-lived pleasure to my ears by playing on the lyre, and I gave a short-lived pleasure to your ears by promising you money.” When the musician heard that, he despaired of his payment, laughed, and went home.
“Would not that speech of the miser’s make even a stone laugh? And now, prince, hear the story of the two foolish pupils.”