A farmer was looking for a water source for his land, he purchased a well from a neighbour. The neighbour, on the other hand, was astute. The next day, when the farmer came to get water from his well, his neighbour refused to let him.
When the farmer inquired as to the reason, the neighbour said, "I sold you the well, not the water," and walked away. Disgusted, the farmer petitioned the emperor for justice. He described what had occurred.
Birbal, one of the emperor's nine wisest courtiers, was summoned. Birbal then questioned the neighbour, saying, "Why don't you let the farmer d
raw water from the well?" You did sell the well to the farmer, didn't you?”
“Birbal, I did sell the well to the farmer, but not the water within it,” the neighbour said. He has no legal authority to collect water from the well.”
“Look, since you sold the well, you have no right to keep the water in the farmer's well,” Birbal remarked. Either you pay the farmer's rent or you take it out right away.” When he realised his plan had failed, the neighbour apologised and went home.
Cheating will not get you anything.
