The Ripening of the Fruit (Half-Told Tales)

The righteousness of Puramitra was notorious, and it was evident to / all that he had immense faith in his gods. He was as strict in the / performance of his devotions as in the payment of his debts, nor was / there any altar, whether of Brahma, or of Vishnu, or of Shiva, at / which he failed to offer both prayers and gifts. He observed the rules / of religion and of business with admirable regularity, and enjoyed the / reputation of one whose conduct was above reproach.

But, being a self-contained man, he had not the love of the little / children of the village, to whom he often gave sweetmeats and toys; / and being a very prosperous man, he was not without rivals and / detractors, who liked his prosperity the less the more they marvelled / at it. This was displeasing to Puramitra, though he thought it beneath / him to show it.