The Customer and the Craftsman
Once, a customer came to the hatter, brought a sheepskin, and asked:- Make me a hat from this skin!
- Alright, said the craftsman, I’ll make it!
The customer left the hatter and thought:
"The skin is quite large—maybe it’s possible to make two hats?" So he thought, returned to the hatter, and asked:
- Tell me, master, can you make two hats from this skin?
- Why not? answered the hatter. I can.
- If so, make two hats, said the customer, and left.
After walking a bit, he thought again, returned to the hatter, and asked:
- Master, can you make three hats from the skin?
- Why not? answered the hatter. I’ll make three.
The customer was delighted and asked:
- Can you make four?
- I’ll make four! replied the hatter.
- What about five?
- I’ll make five.
- Then make me five hats!
The customer left, but halfway turned back again and asked:
- Master, can you make six hats?
- I’ll make six.
- What about seven? Or maybe even eight hats?
- Why not? I’ll make eight! answered the hatter.
- Well, then make me eight hats!
- Alright, I’ll make eight. Come back in a week for your order.
A week later, the customer returned to the hatter:
- Are my hats ready?
- They are, answered the hatter.
He called his apprentice and said:
- Go and bring the customer his hats.
The apprentice immediately brought eight tiny hats—not to wear on one’s head, but to fit on an apple! The customer looked at them, was surprised, and asked:
- What is this?
- These are the hats you ordered, answered the hatter.
- Hey, master, why are these hats so small?..
- Think about it yourself! replied the hatter.
The customer took the eight tiny hats, left, and began to ponder: "Why did the hats turn out so small? Why?.."
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