The Clever Judge
A rich man lost a cloth in which he had sewn into a great sum of money. He made known the loss and offered a reward of 100 coins for who so ever would return to him his lost property.
An honest man made himself known to the rich man bringing with him the cloth in which was sewn the coins.
The rich man was not an honest fellow and saw a way he could cheat the man out of his reward.
He opened up the cloth and counted the coins. I can only find 700 coins he declared, you must have opened up the cloth and claimed your one hundred coins as there was originally 800 coins. Not that be a problem as I promised 100 coins as a reward.
The honest man did not mind the loss of the reward, but he did mind the loss of his reputation.
They appeared before a wise judge. Being wise he quickly appraised himself of the situation.
Both stuck to their story. The judge got them each to swear a solemn oath that what they were saying was true. He then gave his ruling.
Then what did the judge say to the honest man and the rich man?