In a small village surrounded by green fields, there lived two farmers named Vikram and John.
They had been friends since childhood.
They went to the same school, sat on the same bench, played together, ate together and even walked home together every evening.
People in the village often said,
“Those two boys are not friends. They are brothers born into different families.”
Their friendship continued even after they stopped studying.
Vikram left school to help his mother with farming after his father passed away. John also discontinued his education and started working with his family in their agricultural fields.
Neither of them became highly educated.
But both of them understood one thing very well.
Life was easier when they stood together.
Whenever Vikram needed money, John helped him.
Whenever John needed workers during harvest season, Vikram was the first person to arrive.
If Vikram's crop failed because of heavy rain, John shared his grain with him.
If John's family had a financial problem, Vikram quietly helped without expecting anything in return.
They never kept accounts between them.
Once, an old man in the village asked,
“Why don't you two keep track of how much money you lend each other?”
John laughed.
“Why should I? He is my friend.”
Vikram smiled.
“If I start calculating what I gave him, our friendship will become a business.”
The villagers admired them.
Years passed, but their friendship remained unchanged.
Until one rainy season.