One day a king was touring his kingdom on his horse when he saw a farmer working in his maize field. The fertile land attracted the king’s attention and he wanted to procure it. The farmer owned the land and so it was not easy for the king to announce it as his. He called the farmer and said, “You must come to my court tomorrow. But remember you’ll have to come riding and walking at the same time. If you fail to do so then your land shall be taken away from you.” The farmer was very clever. Next day he sat on a he-goat and went to the king’s court dragging his feet on the ground. When the king saw him riding and walking at the same time, he realized that he had been outsmarted. The king then came up with another plan. “Tomorrow meet me in this court without your clothes but dressed at the same time.” The farmer smiled and went away. Next morning, he borrowed a big fishing net from his friend and draped himself in it. So there he was without his clothes on but still fully dressed. When the king saw him, he was furious and gave up his plan to grab the land.
The King and the Clever Farmer
