The Merchant and His Wife
Once upon a time, at the edge of an old forest where cool waters flowed, there lived a rich and respected merchant. In his mansion full of ornate fabrics and rare spices, he led a happy life with his skilful wife, known for her mind and her insight. The merchant always entrusted his jealously guarded wealth and his inexhaustible treasures to the unshakeable loyalty of his wife. One day he had to set out on a long trading journey to the great markets of distant lands. Before setting off he took his wife's hands, handed her all the keys of the mansion and said farewell with prayers. A cunning rival, seizing the chance of the merchant's departure from the town, made a treacherous plan to take this great fortune for himself.
He imitated the merchant's signature, prepared a false letter and knocked at the door of the mansion in the late afternoon. Planting himself before the woman with a confident air, he said, "Your master has suffered a great loss on the road." The cunning man showed the false document in his hand and claimed that the chests full of gold had to be handed over to him at once. But the clever woman grew suspicious of the man's agitated manner and contradictory words, and grasped the situation at once. Without letting anything show she smiled and invited the man inside, saying, "My husband's wish is of course a command for me." She mixed a mild sleeping syrup into the sweet drink she had prepared for him and offered it to the man.
The cunning man, drunk with victory, drank the cup down to the last drop and soon fell into a deep sleep. The clever woman searched the sleeping man's pockets and found the documents proving that he was the real thief who had stolen the merchant's seal. She at once alerted the guards and had this slanderous man delivered to the palace of justice. A few weeks later the merchant returned from his voyage, and when he learned of the courage and the superior wit his wife had shown, he was filled with pride. Thanks to the foresight of his loyal wife, the wealth of the mansion had been saved and a dangerous enemy had been defeated. From that day on the merchant went on with his life, multiplying many times over his respect for his wife's mind and her feelings. A home guided by reason and insight always remains protected against every kind of evil. Lies have short legs.