One day, the king summoned all the tailors of his country and ordered him to sew a blanket according to his height: not long and not short. None of the tailors could fulfill the king's wishes, and he ordered all of their heads to be cut off.
After that, another tailor came to him. “Tsar,” he said, “I will sew you a blanket, and it will fit you: not long and not short.” Give me the order and I’ll get to work.” “Okay, neck,” answered the king, “but look, I’m warning you in advance, if it’s even a little long or short, I’ll order you to cut off your head!” “I agree,” answered the tailor.
He got to work, deliberately sewed a blanket a little shorter, brought it and placed it in front of the king, and hid the whip under his apron. “Tsar, long life to you!” - said the tailor. - I brought the blanket you wanted. See if it’s good.” “Let me see if it fits.” The king lay down and pulled the blanket over himself, but his legs remained uncovered. Then the tailor took a whip from under his apron and lashed it at the king’s bare heels. The king immediately hid his legs under the blanket. “Keep your legs along the length of your blanket!” - said the tailor. Hearing these clever words, the king did not say anything to the tailor, generously rewarded him and let him go in peace. No wonder the proverb says: “Stretch your legs according to your clothes.”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru