Long long ago, in a village close to a forest lived two friends, Suzu and Yamar. Suzu was strong and smart. Yamar was not exactly weak, but was lazy. If they found some ripe fruit on the branches of a tall tree, it was for Suzu to climb and pluck them. But he would let Yamar choose from them first.
They grew up. Both got married. Suzu lived in a small house and earned his living through hard work, whereas Yamar lived comfortably because his father had left him a few acres of land. But Suzu and Yamar continued to be friends. It was a habit with them to go into the forest whenever both had leisure. One day they entered a cave. Suzu's attention went over to some small stones which appeared to shine in the darkness. He picked them up. When both came out of the cave, he showed them to Yamar. Yamar examined them. His eyes flashed with excitement, but he said casually, "I am to visit the town tomorrow. I shall find out if they have any value."
Yamar went to the town the next day. His guess was right. They were precious stones. He sold them and returned home with wealth enough to be counted among the rich. To Suzu he gave a few coins and said, "Well, they were practically worthless. However, a wealthy man bought them for decorating his flower-vase. Here is half of what I got."
Yamar built a mansion and bought horses and employed a number of servants. "I chanced upon some buried wealth in my ancestral house," he told his neighbours.
Suzu was glad that his friend had prospered. "In times of need I can seek his help, after all!" he told his wife. His wife was not so sure. She even suspected that the stones Suzu had found were the source of Yamar's prosperity.
One day Suzu headed towards the cave alone. He needed some money badly to buy some medicine for his little son. On reaching the site, he found Yamar entering the cave. "What are you doing here?" asked Suzu.
Taken aback, Yamar mumbled out that he was just passing by and entered the cave with no specific intention. "But what brings you here?" asked Yamar in turn. "Well, I came here to see if some stones are there," answered Suzu truthfully. "Very good. Let's search together. If we find more, once again I can carry them to the town. You're too innocent to extract a good price for them," said Yamar. They looked everywhere under rocks, but to no avail. They came out of the cave and walked homeward. "It may rain. Let's hurry," said Yamar and he walked faster than Suzu.
