The events of the story take place in ancient times between Juha and his neighbor, the stingy man, who lived by borrowing things from other people, using them, and refusing to buy for himself, despite being very rich. The events of the story revolve around what Juha did with him to teach him a lesson he would learn from: to stay away from people’s things, abandon the bad trait of stinginess, and use his money to buy his needs.
The Story:
It is told that in ancient times, a rich but very stingy man lived near Juha. This stingy neighbor had become accustomed to always borrowing the needs of other people. This stingy man would go to Juha often and borrow from him what he needed.
One day, the stingy neighbor went to Juha and said to him: “O Juha, you are a generous man and don’t deny me anything. I have desired your generosity, and I hope you will lend me your donkey today, as I am on an important appointment.” Juha answered immediately as usual to the request of his stingy neighbor, who took the donkey and went, very happy, to fulfill his need.
Then the stingy man repeated borrowing Juha’s donkey time after time after time. Once, Juha said to him: “Why don’t you take that donkey as a gift from me, so you can rest?” The stingy neighbor said to him laughing: “When I take it, I will bear the expenses of its food, cleaning, and its stable housing while it’s with you. I will take it from you whenever I wish.” Juha became extremely angry at that stingy man and resolved to take a firm measure regarding this matter.
The next day, the stingy man came to borrow the donkey. Juha said to him: “Let me go to the donkey to consult him first. If the donkey agrees to accompany you, I will lend it to you and won’t prevent him. If he refuses to go with you, I won’t force him to go with you to fulfill your need.”
After a few moments, Juha returned and said to the stingy man: “The donkey told me that you carry him beyond his capacity, beat him, and curse his companion, and he feels sad because of this matter.” But the stingy man deceived Juha until he took the donkey this time as well. In the evening, the neighbor returned with the donkey and said to Juha: “I have fed him for you today, and it cost me two dinars. You must return them to me, O Juha.”
Juha became extremely angry at him and swore to take a firm measure regarding this matter and to take a position with this stingy neighbor who exploited the donkeys. The next day, the stingy man came as usual to borrow the donkey. Juha said to him: “The donkey is in the market and won’t return now.” Before Juha could finish his speech, the donkey brayed with a very loud voice from inside the stable of Juha’s house. The stingy neighbor heard it and said to Juha: “O Juha, this is your donkey inside, filling the world with braying, and you deny his existence.” Juha said to him: “How strange your matter is, O man. You believe the donkey and don’t believe me.”