Two Slaps

Once upon a time, there lived a poor man. He had nothing: no land, no livestock, no poultry, only a cat in his empty hut. He had been starving all his life, almost dying of hunger. "I think I'll go to the king and tell him about my plight," the poor man decided.

He put his hungry cat in a sack and set off on his journey. It's easy to say, but not so easy to reach the king. At the entrance, the poor man was stopped by a mean guard who wouldn't let him into the palace. The poor man begged and pleaded for a long time until the guard finally agreed.

"Alright, I'll let you in, but on one condition: you must give me half of whatever you receive from the king!"

The poor man entered the royal hall and released the cat from the sack. The hungry cat ran around, meowing loudly.

"Why have you come, and why have you brought a cat?" asked the king.

"There's not a crumb in my house, even the mice have run away. I couldn't let the cat starve," said the poor man. "Take her for yourself, and in return, give me two slaps!"

The king was astonished. He had never heard of anyone trading a cat for slaps, but he granted the poor man's request and gave him two slaps.

The poor man thanked the king and left the palace. The guard rushed after him, blocking his way.

"What did you get? Hand over half right now!" The poor man gave him a slap, and a fight broke out.

The king heard the commotion and came out to see what was happening.

"Your guard wouldn't let me into the palace," explained the poor man, "until I promised to give him half of whatever I received. That's why I asked you for two slaps—I had to share with him!"

The king laughed and generously rewarded the clever poor man.

More fairy tales

• The Orphan Chakuche
• The Tale of the Little Candle
• The Hunter's Daughter
• The Flea and the Ant
• Three Brothers