It was a long time ago. There lived in a village near Lake Inlay a certain Amway, nicknamed “Fool.” Judging by his nickname, Amway was not distinguished by wisdom, and in addition, he was also known for stealing chickens. He really annoyed the villagers with this: after all, chickens were kept in almost every house at that time! They toiled and toiled and decided: it was better to donate the chickens to the monastery than to give them into the hands of Amway. “It’s unlikely that this unscrupulous swindler will steal them from the monastery,” they reasoned. “The abbot of the monastery, U Tou Da, is a strict man and will not allow jokes to be made on him.”
Soon almost all the village chickens ended up in the monastery. However, the continuous cackling and hubbub of the chicken flock, as well as the unusual worries that fell on the abbot, completely deprived the venerable U Tou Da of peace.
No less difficult times have come for Amway. There were almost no chickens left in the village, but in the monastery they were under reliable guard, and it was not easy to get to them. And Amway came up with a clever idea.
In the evening, when it got dark, Amway went to the monastery. Before he had time to open the gates of the monastery courtyard, a loud cackling was heard.
-Who's there? - asked Abbot U Tou Da, - It’s me, Amway! – the sly one humbly answered. - Do you have anything to do with me?
– Yes, I want to donate some of my chickens to the monastery.
- What are you, what are you! – the abbot waved his hands in fright. “I won’t have any trouble with these chickens.” They bore me to death. It was not enough for you to bring your own! Do me a favor and take them back. How many chickens do you have in your basket?
“Three,” Amway answered, lowering his eyes. “Will you really refuse me such a trifling favor?!”
- I beg you, take them back! I can't live from these damned chickens.
“Have it your way,” Amway answered humbly, prayed and, taking three chickens with him, went home.
A month has passed. On the holiday of lights, Amway came to the monastery, full of sadness.
-What do you need here? – the abbot of the monastery asked him in fear.
“I’m completely ill,” the sly man said with fake sadness. – According to the horoscope, it turns out that some kind of poultry is to blame for this. Nothing more than a chicken. So I thought: I’ll donate it to your monastery.
– Again you are fooling your head with your chickens! - What chickens?! I only have one! - Amway began.
“Not a single one,” the abbot interrupted him angrily. “It’s good that according to the horoscope only one chicken fell out, but what would you say, teacher, if I happened to bring two?”
“Shut up now,” U Tou Da squealed. “I have no peace from both you and your chickens.” Get out of here immediately and remember well: no matter what your horoscope shows, all your chickens will remain with you!
“Well, so be it,” Amway replied. He put on a face of humility, prayed and, putting the fattest chicken under his arm, hurriedly left.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru