The Kingdom of Walletpur woke up to wonderful news. The money officers had discovered a revolutionary way to make coins move faster by charging the person who received it through the world famous touch and pay mechanism….

The Kingdom of Walletpur woke up to wonderful news. The money officers had discovered a revolutionary way to make coins move faster by charging the person who received it through the world famous touch and pay mechanism.Very soon, whenever a customer pays a merchant more than two thousand royal currency using the magical touch phone-button system of transferring money, the merchant would have to surrender an additional 0.4 per cent to the Department of Swift Movements.The government immediately reassured citizens.”Do not worry,” announced the Department of Comfortable Payments (DoCP). “The customer will not pay anything extra. The merchant will bear the cost.”The merchants of Walletpur were delighted. They had always dreamed of earning money and then paying a small amount for the privilege. They all started thanking the DoCP of grand gesture and allowing them an opportunity to do more for the royal treasure.At a furniture shop, a customer bought a sofa for Rs 50,000.”Congratulations,” said the payment machine. “You have successfully paid.”The shopkeeper smiled.”Wonderful. How much have I earned?””Rs 50,000,” replied the machine. “Minus Rs 200 for accepting it.”The shopkeeper stared at the screen.”Why am I being charged?””Because you accepted a large amount,” said the machine. “Small amounts are considered innocent. Large amounts require supervision.”The government explained that merchants were free to absorb the cost, just as they absorbed rent, electricity bills, transport expenses, staff salaries, damaged goods and customers who said, “I’ll pay tomorrow.”Soon, Walletpur’s shopkeepers began displaying creative notices.Digital payment accepted. Happiness not guaranteed.For payments above Rs 2,000, please bring your own merchant.Cash preferred. Coins accepted. Tears complimentary.A sweet-shop owner introduced a new pricing system. A box of sweets cost Rs 1,999. Add one extra sweet, and the price crossed the magical limit.”Would you like the extra sweet?” he asked.”No,” said the customer.”Excellent,” said the shopkeeper. “You have saved me from earning more.”A clothing merchant began offering a special discount.”The shirt costs Rs 2,000 if you pay by phone,” he announced. “But if you want to buy trousers with it, please use cash. I am not emotionally prepared for another deduction.” He further said, “if you are paying by cash, cost is Rs 1999.”When asked whether merchants might quietly increase prices to recover the charge, the government gave a firm answer.”The cost will not be passed on to customers.””Then where will it go?” asked a reporter.The official smiled.”It will travel through the economy wearing sunglasses and a fake moustache.”The most surprising scenes were witnessed at fuel stations. The nearby departmental store received a huge order of boxes of Re 1 candy from the fuel station. On enquiry, it was found that the station was encouraging customers to buy fuel worth Rs 1999 only and Re 1 candy was to compensate the difference between Rs 2000 and the billing amount. This Re 1 sweetness among customers was all due to the generous act of the DoCP.By evening, Walletpur had entered a new age of prosperity. Customers were protected, merchants were generous, payment machines were satisfied and everyone was encouraged to spend freely.Provided, of course, they remembered one important rule: In Walletpur, the customer is always right. The merchant is always paying.

Source: Deccan Herald