A motorist, driving in the countryside, hit and killed a calf that was crossing the road.

The driver went to the owner of the calf and explained what had happened. He then asked what the animal was worth.

"Oh, about Rs 3,000 today," said the owner. "But in four years it would have been worth Rs 30,000. So Rs 30,000 is what I have lost."

The motorist sat down and wrote out a cheque and handed it to the farmer.

"Here," he said, "is the cheque for 30,000. It's postdated four years from now."