Once, a man was digging a ditch with his pickaxe. After working very hard, he put down his pickaxe and sat down to rest. When he had rested enough, the man decided to dig again. But, to the man’s surprise, his pickaxe had disappeared. So, he called all his men and asked them, “Have any of you seen my pickaxe?” “No,” they replied. The man was angry and said, “I know one you has taken it. Come with me to the temple of the famous prophet in the neighbouring city. He will find the thief.” When they reached the city, a voice announced, “The sacred shrine was robbed last night. A large reward will be given to whoever finds the thief.” The man told his men, “Let us go home. If the god of the shrine cannot tell who robbed his temple, how would he know who took my pickaxe?”
The Man Who Lost His Pickaxe
