THE LIAR (An Armenian folk tale)
Once upon a time there was a king. Once he sent his trumpeters to all the parts of the country to announce to the people:
- Listen, people ! Who amongst you can tell a lie in the best way, the king will award that person with a golden apple !
People from far and near came to the king’s court: kings, princes, and ministers, uncountable number of people, but neither of them could please the king.
In the end a tattered poor man, came to the king, he had a jug in his hand.
- What do you want? – asked the king.
- May God give the king, strength and good health –said the poor man- I have come for my money: you owe me a jug full of gold.
- You are telling a lie- answered the king-, I don’t owe you anything.
- Am I lying ? Then give me the golden apple, if I am a liar.
The king recognized the person’s cunningness, and started to defend himself.
- No, you are not lying.
- If I am not lying then pay me your debt (a jug full of gold)
The king saw that the man had won; so he did not even say a word further, but he gave the golden apple to the poor man.
Translated from Hungarian by me
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