7. Husband, Son Or Brother?

Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, three men were ploughing on the outskirts of a forest. As the lad belong to the kingdom, all the three farmers were imprisoned. One is the husband of a woman, the other is her son and third is her brother. She went to the king and requested to release tha farmers.

Being asked by the king which of the three she would take, the woman said, “Cannot your majesty give me all three?”

“No,” said the king, “I cannot.”

“Well, if I cannot have all three, give me my brother.”

“Take your husband or your son,” said the king.

“What matters a brother?” “The two former I can readily replace,” answered the woman, “but a brother never!”

“She is quite right,” said the king, well pleased. And he bade all three men be fetched from the prison and given over to the woman. She took them all three and went her way.

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