Intellect or Strength?

B.s. (before script): While reading please replace X with Manas and Y with Tejas. (I'm lazy :))

There lived two boys — X and Y. They had been natural friends since childhood, relying on each other's support due to their vastly different yet complementary qualities. X possessed a fit, wrestler-like physique, always believing that physical strength was the greatest asset. On the other hand, Y was a mentally intelligent chap who firmly supported the supremacy of intellect. Their frequent debates always revolved around one question — Which is better: strength or intellect?

One day, Y devised a clever plan to prove his point and outsmart X. He invited X to his home for a sugarcane juice party, promising to arrange the refreshments himself.

X, thrilled by the invitation, reached Y's home early, eagerly waiting for the treat. Meanwhile, Y went to the market and ordered two glasses of sugarcane juice for takeaway. When he returned, he greeted X with an exaggerated smile.

"Welcome, my esteemed guest! Please make yourself comfortable while I, your humble host, serve you the finest sugarcane juice in town."

X flexed his biceps playfully. "Such hospitality! What’s the occasion? Did you finally accept that strength is better than your so-called intellect?"

Y smirked. "Not exactly. But I did realize that guests deserve the best... and a little patience."

As Y was about to serve the juice, he paused dramatically. "Before we begin, I must make a promise — if even a single drop of this precious nectar falls from the glass, I will not serve it to you. After all, equality is the foundation of our friendship."

X grinned, his chest swelling with pride. Finally, he's treating me like the superior one! His mind dismissed any suspicion. His belief that he deserved only the best clouded his reasoning.

"That's... unusually generous of you. But alright, I accept."

"Excellent! Oh, by the way, since we're such good friends, wouldn't it be fair if you paid for one glass? You know, to maintain balance in our bond?" Y grinned mischievously.

"Wait a minute! Isn't this supposed to be your treat?"

"Ah, my dear X, friendship is a give-and-take relationship — not a charity organization."

X, not wanting to appear stingy or inferior, reluctantly handed over a 10-rupee note. "Fine. Let's get on with it. I'm parched."

Y nodded, picking up the first glass. "Here's to friendship! But since I'm the host... I'll taste it first." He downed the entire glass in one go, smacking his lips with exaggerated satisfaction.

X's muscles tensed, but his ego restrained him from questioning Y's actions. A guest deserves the best — that's the rule. His mind, which always argued in favor of strength, couldn't recognize the trick unfolding before him.

Y's eyes twinkled. "Nonsense! Now, here's the second glass... Oh no!" He let a single drop fall dramatically to the floor. "A promise is a promise. I can't serve this one to you either. I'll just... take care of it myself."

X sat there, silently watching Y gulp down the second glass. His pride kept him from protesting. Why should I settle for less? I deserve the perfect glass.

"Well, that was the party! I hope you enjoyed it. You may leave now, honored guest."

X remained frozen, trapped by his own arrogance. Only after reaching home did the pieces fall into place. His phone buzzed with Y’s teasing voice on the other end.

"Happy April Fools' Day! Still thirsty, muscleman?"

X gritted his teeth. "Give me my 10 rupees back or I'll beat you!"

Y chuckled. "Oh, the mighty strength resorts to violence when outwitted? Tsk tsk. Your ego blocked your brain, my friend. Accept defeat."

X sighed, realization dawning on him. His pride had been his greatest weakness — not Y's strength or even his own power. After a pause, he managed a grudging laugh. "Alright, you win. But next time, I'll be the one pulling the prank."

Y, ever the humble victor, returned the 10-rupee note — a token of their little social experiment.

From that day onwards, their friendship grew stronger. X began sharpening his wit while Y worked on his humility. Together, they balanced strength and intellect, proving that both qualities, when combined, create the greatest power of all.

Moral: Intellect is man's best weapon — strengthen it. Egoism is one of man's worst enemies — kill it. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Written by Shanmukha

Video has been uploaded.