It was because he found some unhulled rice littered on a straw mat on the road. Farmers had spread it there to dry wet rice and gather in dried rice.

The officials realized why he stopped the car when he said that they should pass by after removing the mat.

He first took an edge of the mat.

The perplexed officials prevented him from taking it. But he said with a generous smile: "Never mind. Let's remove the straw mat together".

While keeping his eyes on the scattered rice on the mat, he said they should not drive over the rice farmers had produced with much effort, and moved the mat to the roadside together with the officials.

The officials were deeply touched by the noble traits of the leader who valued even a grain of rice very much.