Markets in Not Quite Everything

Sometimes, leaving a $100 bill on the night table is not a friendly gesture:

The difference between marriage and concubinage is money, says Babaji Rao. That is why it is considered more seemly that the bridegroom should go empty-handed to the house of the bride on his wedding-day, any gift from him to the bride's father might be misconstrued. The feeling about this is so strong that until recently it was most unwise for the bride's father to enter the bridegroom's village, and even now one does not stay in the house of one's married daughter or sister, for this would be to accept something from her husband. ... Younger brothers may stay with their married sisters without fear of comment, for they never had the right to dispose of them.

--J. R. Ackerley, Hindoo Holiday 253-4 (1932; NYRB 2000)

The Parable of the Jackal

There was once a very simple king who, hearing the jackals howl constantly outside his palace,said to his minister, “What are they crying for—those poor animals?” “They are cold,” said the resourceful minister, “and are crying for warm clothing. Poor brutes! They have nothing to put on at all, not even a loincloth no matter how cold the weather is.” “How much will it cost to clothe all the jackals in my kingdom?” asked the sovereign “At least ten thousand rupees,” said the resourceful minister. “See that it is done,” said the simple king. But a few days later he herd them wailing again. “Are the jackals not yet clothed?” he asked. “Yes, sire.” “Then why do they still cry?” “They are thanking you for your charity towards them, said the astute minister.”

--J.R. Ackerley, Hindoo Holiday 106
(1932; NYRB Paperback ed. 2000)