The Tale of Gopal and Deepak: A Lesson in Fussiness

As Vikram pulled Betal down from the tree, Betal began narrating yet another intriguing tale. This one was about two brothers, Gopal and Deepak, who were known far and wide for their extremely fussy nature. Each had his peculiar quirks and preferences, making life difficult not only for themselves but also for those around them.

Gopal, the elder brother, had a particular obsession with the taste and smell of his food. Every dish had to be prepared exactly to his liking, with the right balance of flavors and aroma. He would complain for hours if something was even slightly off. Deepak, on the other hand, was no less fastidious. His fussiness, however, was not about taste but about his sleeping conditions. He could only sleep on the softest of pillows and the most comfortable bed. Even the slightest discomfort would rob him of his sleep.

One day, the two brothers were served a meal. Gopal took a bite and immediately wrinkled his nose, declaring that the food had an odd smell, as if it had been cooked on contaminated ground. Puzzled by his complaint, the cook investigated and discovered that a small amount of dust from a nearby construction site had indeed entered the kitchen. Gopal’s sensitive nose had detected it instantly, though no one else noticed a thing.

The following night, Deepak was given a new, soft pillow to sleep on. Yet, when morning came, he complained of a terrible night’s sleep. When his bedding was inspected, it was found that a single hair had been left on his pillow. To Deepak, that tiny disturbance was enough to ruin his sleep completely.

When Betal finished the story, he asked Vikram a question: “Between Gopal and Deepak, who was fussier?”

Vikram thought for a moment and replied, “While both brothers were fussy, Deepak was the fussier of the two. His discomfort over something as small as a hair on his pillow showed an extreme sensitivity that surpassed even Gopal’s fastidiousness about food.”

Betal was pleased with Vikram’s answer and flew off, as was his custom, leaving Vikram to continue his journey.

**Moral:** Excessive fussiness over trivial matters can lead to unnecessary discomfort and dissatisfaction. True contentment comes from learning to overlook minor imperfections.