The Clever Cobbler Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, there was a king. His every command was faithfully carried out by the people in due time. One day, the king thought: "My every command, made for the benefit of the people, is followed precisely, and my people love me. Therefore, I think of their welfare. Now, I shall issue a command that may harm my people. Will they listen and follow it? Or will they not?" He then instructed his ministers:

- "Make it known to the people: 'No one shall do anything for their own benefit!'" After the ministers conveyed this command to the people, they reported back to the king:

- "Your people have indeed followed your command precisely," they said. The king said nothing in reply. When night fell, he disguised himself in old, worn clothes to see how his command was being executed. As he walked through the streets, he noticed a house with a light burning inside. Approaching the house, he saw a shoemaker working on a pair of shoes. The shoemaker, upon seeing the beggar, came over and offered him a small piece of bread. The beggar then said:

What kind of person are you that does not obey the king's command? Where is the command that says, 'No one shall do anything for their own benefit, and no light shall be lit'?" The shoemaker replied: "What business is it of yours? The king who issues such a command is foolish. I am a poor man, making a profit of four coins a day, and incurring a loss of four coins as well. That is how I make my living. If the king were wise, he would understand this," he said. Without responding, the king returned home and summoned his four wise ministers: "I appointed you because you are wiser than others. Now, I have a question for you. I make a profit of four coins and incur a loss of four coins each day. What is the nature of my profit and loss? Find out within three days. If you cannot, I will take your heads! Even if you cannot solve it yourselves, if you can find someone who can, you will escape punishment!" the king declared. After three days, the ministers, unable to solve the issue themselves and failing to find anyone who could, decided to go into hiding. Just then, the same shoemaker approached the ministers and said:

- "If I find the answer to the king's question, what will you give me?" The ministers agreed to give him four thousand dildas. The shoemaker took the four thousand dildas and went to the king, saying:

- "Your Majesty, I make a profit of four coins and incur a loss of four coins each day. Here’s how it works: I lend one coin, I pay off one coin of my old debts, I throw one coin into a well, and I spend one coin on my wife and myself," he explained. The king replied:

- "We all understand the money spent on you and your wife; explain the remaining three coins." To this, the shoemaker responded:

- "When I said 'I lend one coin,' I meant I give it to my child to support me in my old age. When I said 'I pay off one coin of my old debts,' I meant I give it to my elderly parents who supported me when I was young. As for the last coin that I throw into a well, I meant I give it to my daughter who has returned home after not being able to find a husband," he explained. The king then said: "This shoemaker is a wise man," and made him one of his ministers.