Page 45 - Martial Science Magazine Oct/2016 #17

crying, “Beads for sale! Beads for look, he knew for certain the is worth a hundred thousand
sale!” bowl was real gold. pieces of silver. I’m sorry but I
don’t have that much money.”
When the young girl heard his He sat there frowning and
cry, she begged, “Please buy me thinking until his greed got the Astonished at his words, the
a trinket, Grandmother.” better of him. At last he decided old woman said, “Sir, another
to try to get the bowl without peddler who came here a little
“We’re very poor, dear. There’s giving the woman anything while ago said that it was not
not a cent in the house and I whatever for it. Pretending to worth half a cent. He got angry,
can’t think of anything to offer be angry, he growled, “Why did threw it on the floor, and went
in exchange.” you bring me this stupid bowl? away. If it wasn’t valuable then,
It isn’t worth half a cent!” He it must be because of your own
The girl suddenly remembered threw the bowl to the floor, got goodness that the bowl has
an old bowl. “Look!” she cried. up, and stalked out of the house turned into gold. Please take it,
“Here’s an old bowl. It’s of no in apparent disgust. and just give us something or
use to us. Let’s try to trade it for other for it. We will be more than
something nice.” Since it had been agreed satisfied.”
between the two traders that
What the little girl showed her the one might try the streets At that time the peddler had
grandmother was an old bowl which the other had already only five hundred pieces of silver
which had been used by the covered, the honest peddler and goods worth another five
great merchant, the late head of came later into that same street hundred. He gave everything
the family. He had always eaten and appeared at the door of the to the women, asking only to
his curries served from this house, crying, “Beads for sale!” keep his scales, his bag, and
beautiful, expensive bowl. After eight coins for his return fare.
his death it had been thrown Once again the young girl Of course, they were happy to
among the pots and pans and made the same request of agree. After profuse thanks on
forgotten. Since it hadn’t been her grandmother, and the old both sides, the trader hurried to
used for a very long time, it was woman replied, “My dear, the the river with the golden bowl.
completely covered with grime. first peddler threw our bowl on He gave his eight coins to the
The two women had no idea it the ground and stormed out of boatman and got into the boat.
was gold. the house. What have we got
left to offer?” Not long after he had left, the
The old woman asked the trader greedy peddler returned to the
to come in and sit down. She “Oh, but that trader was nasty, house, giving the impression of
showed him the bowl and said, Grandmother. This one looks having reluctantly reconsidered
“Sir, my granddaughter would and sounds very kind. I think he their offer. He asked them to
like a trinket. Would you be so will take it.” bring out their bowl, saying he
kind as to take this bowl and would give them something or
give her something or other in “All right, then. Call him in.” other for it after all.
exchange?”
When the peddler came into the The old woman flew at him. “You
The peddler took the bowl house, the two women gave him scoundrel!” she cried. “You told
in his hand and turned it a seat and shyly put the bowl us that our golden bowl was not
over. Suspecting its value, he into his hands. Immediately worth even half a cent. Lucky for
scratched the back of it with recognizing that the bowl was us, an honest trader came after
a needle. After just one covert gold, he said, “Mother, this bowl you left and told us it was really