thieves 

They wanted me to open the suitcase. I thought I had the key. It was not found in my briefcase. I looked stupid. The officer asked if he could try. I said yes. He gave a pull and a tug. The lock gave way immediately.

Very soon I was dismissed and I was on my way to Powaii.

Three weeks later, when I was in Denver again, I ran up to the shop that sold the suitcase along with the lock. I gave expression to my disappointment first and anger thereafter.

"Sorry, Gentleman, our locks are only meant for honest thieves and certainly not targeted for the dishonest crooks", they said.

They further elaborated that an honest thief is one, who, will have one look at the suitcase, observe it is locked and therefore walk away. A dishonest crook, on the other hand, will not hesitate to break the lock.

I was, of course, fascinated by the lock. Its original packing proclaimed a thousand and one virtues. That the  lock came along with two exactly matching keys -- was one of the features. Instead they should have proclaimed the lock would respond to a no match -- no key situation as well!

Avinash was participating in a college strike. The demand was that all those who wrote the examination should get pass percentage. I do not find anything wrong in that. You shouldn't be asking for a just pass, Avinash, but the demand shall be at a least for a straight degree - I suggested. Avinash was impressed. Why degree - ask for a job with pay packets reaching you at the residence on the first of every month. Avinash said - No, Uncle! we are only honest drop-outs asking for a time pass. We aren't dishonest to  the extent you seem to imagine. No, Sir, we do not want social security. Avinash, thank you for upholding such high moral standards. But for your admission, we would have concluded honesty is no longer the best policy!

My briefcase has a combination lock. I allowed this luxury after discovering metal keys do not work after all. I suddenly realized the tickets were inside and I was not able to produce the same at the gate, because the briefcase wouldn't respond to  my open-sesame. Then I remembered having had an argument with my daughter earlier in the morning

A call home revealed the blackmail. My daughter gave the new code after a settlement. That I call an honest blackmail. A dishonest crook would have physically prevented me from the journey!

Master will like a dessert? I said yes. Perhaps that could be jalebi? Yes, yes, I concurred. I was then exploring an executive lunch considered a bargain at two hundred and fifty rupees. A little later I was asked if ice-cream was in my itinerary. I confirmed. And coffee? I muttered it went without saying. I was finally presented a bill for a good six hundred. How about the bargain, I inquired. They said it was for the basic thali. The bargain was still honest, according to them. The optional extras had costed the rest. Great deal, next time when I buy a car I must ensure that the engine is included as an honest item. The wheels perhaps may be couched as dishonest optionals!

Integrity, my business friend explains, is keeping your word at any cost. Even if you lose your life, you shall not break a promise once made. Honesty, on the other hand, is not to make such foolish deals -- according to him!

A good Samaritan obliged a small boy who could not reach up to the door bell-push. "Now that you have done it, you can also explain yourself to the house-holder, as to why you rang the bell" - so saying the little brat ran away.

Later in the night, a man was trying to open the car. An honest, law abiding, tax paying citizen that I was - I had all the heart to help the poor soul.

"Why are you picking the lock, my friend, when the rear door is open? " - I volunteered.

 "In that case, Sir, please stand guard till I finish the work and have a good chance to escape"