Mr. Kitchom loved to listen to stories, but at the end of each tale, he always exclaimed, “That cannot be true.” One day, he asked his teacher to tell him a story. He agreed on a condition that Mr. Kitchom should not say ‘That cannot be true’ at the end otherwise he would have to pay a penalty. Mr. Kitchom agreed. The story began: “One day, an aristocrat was going to the governor’s palace in his palanquin. On the way, he heard a bird crying. When he peered out, the bird soiled his robe with its droppings.
He sent his servant for a new robe and put it on. A little later, the bird cried again and when he peered out, it soiled his sword with its droppings. He sent his servant back for another sword. After sometime, the bird came out again and dropped its load on his head. He sent his servant to bring a new head and cut off his own.” “That cannot be true,” exclaimed Mr. Kitchom. The teacher said triumphantly, “You have uttered the prohibited phrase and you agreed to pay some penalty.” Mr. Kitchom said slyly, “Oh! That cannot be true.”
