Once upon a time there lived a family - a husband, wife and daughter. This family was very poor and could barely make ends meet. The husband and wife began to think about how they could get rich.
– We now live in poverty. Let's find some rich man, settle next to him, see what he does, and imitate him in everything.
So they did. They demolished their hut and built a new one next to the house of the rich Sethei. Sethay forced his workers to cultivate the field and vegetable garden, and then sent them to sell the harvest. The poor tried to imitate sethei in whatever way they could, they worked in the fields, and then sold part of the harvest at the market. Gradually, things got better and better for them, their wealth grew.
The husband and wife decided to thank Sethei, from whom they secretly learned how to manage a household. The husband took a handful of gold and went to the rich man.
- Why did you bring me gold? – Sethei was surprised.
- I was a poor man. My wife and I decided to break down our hut, settle next to your house and imitate you in everything. Our business quickly improved, the family became rich, and out of gratitude we ask you to accept our gift.
- Since you yourself think that you acquired all your wealth thanks to me, then it is my wealth. You must give me all your fortune, and I myself will decide what share to give you.
“But I didn’t remain ungrateful and brought you gold.” If I had known that you would demand all my fortune, I would not have brought you anything.
Sethei and the former poor man argued for a long time. Finally they turned to the judge. The judge could not resolve their dispute and took them both to the king. The former poor man bowed and said:
“Your Majesty, I settled next to Sethei’s house, watched how he farmed, how he sent his workers to cultivate the field and trade at the market. I began to imitate Sethei in whatever way I could, and achieved prosperity and success in business. Out of gratitude, I brought gold to Sethei, who helped me without knowing it, but Sethei demands my entire fortune. I ask you, Your Majesty, to sort this matter out fairly.
The king turned to Sethei: “Did this man present the case correctly?”
- Everything is correct, Your Majesty.
The king realized that Sethei was greedy beyond measure, and said:
- Sethay, do you have children?
- Son, Your Majesty.
- And you? - the king turned to the former poor man.
- Daughter, Your Majesty.
- So that there is no discord between you, I command both families to become related. Then you will have nothing to share.
Sethay and the former poor man bowed low to the king and left to follow the wise royal decision.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru