There lived a poor man in the world. He had nothing: no land, no cattle, no birds, just a cat in an empty shack. He starved all his life, almost dying of hunger. “I’ll go to the king and tell him about my need,” the poor man decided.
He put the hungry cat in a bag and hit the road. It’s easy to say, but it’s not easy to get to the king. An evil guard stopped the poor man at the entrance and did not let him into the palace. The poor man begged and begged him for a long time until he finally agreed.
“So be it, I’ll let you in, but with an agreement: you will give me half of what you yourself receive from the king!”
A poor man entered the royal hall and let the cat out of the bag. A hungry cat ran in and meowed.
“Why did you come, why did you bring the cat?” asks the king.
“I don’t have a crumb in my house, even the mice have fled, the cat can’t die,” says the poor man. “Take it for yourself, and in return give me two slaps in the face!”
The king was surprised. I had never heard of a cat being exchanged for slaps, but I fulfilled the poor man’s request - I slapped him in the face.
The poor man thanked the king and left the palace. The guard rushed after him and blocked the road.
- What did you get? Give me half! The poor man slapped him in the face and a fight ensued.
The king heard the noise and came out to see what was happening.
“Your guard didn’t let me into the palace,” explained the poor man, “until I promised him half of what I would receive myself.” That’s why I asked you for two slaps, I had to share it with him!
The king laughed and generously gave gifts to the resourceful poor man.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru