bhaskar saikia

Some years ago, while scrolling online, I came across a short story that has stayed with me ever since. I don’t know its original source, but the message it carries is timeless and worth retelling.

The story goes like this. An old man was selling watermelons. His price list read:

• 1 for $3
• 3 for $10

One day, a young man stopped by. Instead of buying the three-for-$10 deal, he bought three watermelons one by one—paying $3 each, a total of $9. Feeling clever, he turned around and said, “Hey old man, do you realize I just bought three watermelons for $9 instead of $10? Maybe business is not your thing.”

The old man simply smiled and mumbled to himself, “People are funny. Every time they buy three watermelons instead of one, they think they’re teaching me how to do business.”

At first glance, it looks like the old man made a mistake in pricing. Why would anyone pay more when the option to pay less exists? But the truth is deeper. This is how consumerism works—we often buy more than we need just because, like the young man, we feel smart about the decision. The old man knew this well. He didn’t argue, didn’t correct, didn’t try to outsmart anyone. He let people walk away with that feeling, while his watermelons kept selling.

This little story is not just about watermelons—it’s about how we approach business, conversations, and even relationships. Sometimes the smartest strategy is not to fight over logic, but to keep things moving with quiet wisdom. It reminds us that perception often matters more than reality, that letting others feel like they “won” can be better than proving a point, and that confidence doesn’t always need to be loud.

What I like most about this story is its simplicity. The old man wasn’t trying to maximize every cent—he was focused on steady sales and peace of mind. In a world where everyone wants to prove who’s smarter, sometimes the wisest move is to just smile, let them think they’ve outsmarted you, and keep going. After all, business—and life—are not just about numbers. They’re about people.

Disclosure: I first read this story online a few years ago, and I don’t know its original source. I’m sharing it here because its lesson is too good not to pass on.