Baluram was the royal barber. Every month, a chariot would come to his house, to take him to the palace where he would give the king a royal haircut.

Baluram’s friends teased him, “The king must be generous. A big tummy is a sign of prosperity.” Baluram would join his friends in laughter. But he was a worried man, because his tummy was getting bigger and bigger.

His wife took him to a doctor who gave Baluram a full check-up. “I don’t like this tummy. It’s too big,” said the doctor, shaking his head.

“Why is it growing big then?” asked Baluram’s wife.

“It’s because Baluram is holding a secret in his head,” explained the doctor, “That has affected his tummy.”

“If he tells the secret to someone else, it will reduce the pressure on his tummy,” said the doctor.

After they returned home, the wife wanted to know Baluram’s secret. “I can’t tell you,” said Baluram looking helpless, “I have promised I would not tell anybody, not even my wife.”

The wife was now worried. Her husband was sticking to his...