The Deal Clinched
The Deal Clinched
In a certain village, there lived a farmer and his wife. The woman always claimed she was cleverer than her husband.
One day, the farmer gathered the vegetables he had grown and loaded them into a cart, preparing to go to the market to sell them.
“Let me drive the cart. I know how to drive fast,” said the woman. She took the reins while the farmer sat behind her.
“In the market, do not sell the vegetables to anyone without my knowledge,” the woman warned.
The farmer thought it was time to show her just how clever she really was. “Why don’t you go alone and sell the vegetables?” he suggested.
“Why not!” replied the woman confidently. “At what price should I sell them?”
“Well, at the price prevailing in the market, of course!” the farmer replied.
The Encounter
The woman was nearing the market when an old villager approached her to ask the price of her vegetables.
“I will sell these at the price prevailing in the market,” said the woman.
“Wait a minute. I will run to the market and ascertain the price,” replied the villager.
A little later, he returned, panting and announced, “No price is prevailing in the market today. The customers are taking away the goods without payment.”
“I see. Then you can also take these and pay me on the next market day. But how do I recognize you?” asked the woman.
“It is clever of you to raise the question. There is an easy solution. Give your shawl to me, and I will give my coat to you. You will certainly recognize me by your shawl, just as I will recognize you by my coat!” proposed the villager, while transferring the vegetables to her cart.
The idea appealed to the woman. She exchanged her valuable new shawl for a cheap, tattered coat, pleased that she had clinched the deal without even entering the market!
The Farmer’s Despair
However, back at home, when she reported the transaction to her husband, the farmer tore his hair in despair.
“I am leaving the house! I will not be back until I have met another woman as foolish as you,” he declared, storming out of the house in frustration.
He wandered, feeling defeated, until he came across a small house near a forest. He knocked on the door, and an old woman opened it and asked, “Where do you come from?”
“From the world of the dead,” answered the farmer, just for fun.
“Really? You must have met my son there, haven’t you?” inquired the old woman eagerly.
The Plan
“Of course, I have. The poor boy would have come with me, but he cannot walk such a long way,” the farmer replied.
“Are you returning there soon?” she asked.
“Immediately,” was the farmer’s reply.
“In that case, please do me a favor. Take that nice horse fastened to the pole in my backyard. My son can ride it,” said the old woman.
The farmer was amazed at her naivety. “How is the weather in the world of the dead?” she continued.
“It is rather cold,” replied the farmer.
“My husband has swindled someone out of a fine new shawl. Please give it to my son,” the woman said, immediately handing the farmer a shawl. To his shock, he recognized it as his wife’s.
With this realization, he had no hesitation in taking the horse. Bowing to the old woman, he rode away.
The Twist of Fate
As the farmer exited through the backyard, he noticed a man entering the house. “No doubt he will follow me to recover his horse,” he mused, and a plan began to form in his mind.
He led the horse into the forest and tied it to a tree. He then returned to the road, leaning against a large, leaning tree.
Before long, the old villager came running, panting and sweating. “Have you seen a fellow with a horse?” he asked.
“Yes, he has not gone far, I bet,” replied the farmer.
“I’m rather tired. Can you run and catch him? It’s my horse he is riding away with!” pleaded the man.
“I can. But I’m under contract with a man to keep this tree from falling down. If you take my place, I can go and catch the fellow,” said the farmer.
The man agreed to the condition, and he took the farmer’s place, leaning against the tree. The farmer then ran for a minute, then entered the forest and galloped away on the horse.
“Take your shawl. But do not think yourself too clever again. However, it is quite a consolation for you that I met a woman who was even more foolish than you,” the farmer told his wife upon returning home.