Once, a rich man owned many vessels. The people of his village used to borrow vessels from him. One day, a man borrowed some vessels from the rich man. After a few days, the man returned the vessels along with two new vessels. Upon being asked by the rich man as to why he was giving extra vessels, the man replied, “The vessels have given birth to two new vessels.” The rich man knew this was impossible but he kept quiet as he had two new vessels. Many months later, the man again borrowed some vessels from the rich man. But this time, he did not return the vessels. The rich man got worried and came to ask for his vessels. The man replied, “All the vessels have died.” The rich man exclaimed, “How can vessels die?” The man replied, “Just as they can give birth!” The rich man was stunned.
The Birth and Death of Vessels
