A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s5.25

v2.c19.s5.25

"Suppose a man has stolen another man's mangoes, the owner of the mango tree seizes him, takes him before the king, and says: 'Your Majesty, this man has stolen my mangoes;' now, if the thief says: 'Your Majesty, I did not steal this man's mangoes, the fruits which he planted, and those which I took away, were not the same fruits, I deserve no punishment, would this man be punished, great king?' 'Yes, lord, he would be punished.' 'And why so?' 'Because, whatever the man may say, he would be punished on account of the last mango which undeniably would not be there, had it not been for the former one."