This interesting bit of fiction takes place when Gandhi was
studying law at the University College of London, a white
professor Peters disliked him. The two had many arguments and
confrontations.
Mr. Peters was having
lunch at the dining room of the University, and Gandhi came
along with his tray and sat next to the professor. The professor
said, "Mr. Gandhi, you do not understand. A pig and a bird do
not sit together to eat." Gandhi looked at him and calmly
replied, "You do not worry professor. I'll fly away," and went
to sat at another table.
Mr. Peters decided to
take revenge on the next test paper, but Gandhi responded
brilliantly to all questions. Mr. Peters asked him the following
question. "Mr. Gandhi, if you were walking down the street and
found a package, and within was a bag of wisdom and another bag
with a lot of money, which one would you take?" Without
hesitating, Gandhi responded, "The one with the money, of
course."
Mr. Peters said, "I, in
your place, would have taken the wisdom, don't you think?"
Gandhi shrugged and
responded, "Each one takes what he does not have."
Mr. Peters wrote on
Gandhi's exam sheet the word "idiot" and gave it to Gandhi.
Gandhi took the exam sheet and sat down at his desk trying to
remain calm while he contemplated his next move.
A few minutes later,
Gandhi got up, went to the professor and said to him in a
dignified, but sarcastically polite tone, "Mr. Peters, you
signed the sheet, but you did not give me the grade."