160. The Two Brothers



There were once two foolish brothers.
Their father died, and his will said:
Divide everything equally.
First, they divided the farm. "You take the west half; I'll take the east," said the one brother.
Then the house. "You take the top half; I'll take the bottom," said the other.
Then they cut each piece of furniture in the house in half.
Then they began cutting the livestock in half: chickens, goats, cows, everything.
Finally, they cut the servants in half.
The police then came and arrested the two brothers.
They were hanged for murder, and they divided the gibbet equally.

Inspired byThe Ocean of Story by Somadeva, translated by C.H. Tawney: Volume 5.
Notes: This is Story 123.

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