The Old Merchant and the Thief

There was an old merchant who had married a young wife. She treated him coldly by day and even more coldly by night.
Then, one night as they lay in bed, a thief crept in through the window. When the woman saw him, she was frightened and hugged her husband, who was thrilled by her touch.
"Dear thief," he said, "thank you! Take whatever you want."
The thief filled his sack. "I'm available to come back again at any time if my services are required," he said obligingly as he clambered back out the window, hauling his sack behind him.


Inspired byThe Panchatantra, translated by Arthur Ryder.
Notes: It is in Book 3, Story 10. In the Panchatantra version, the thief doesn't take anything, but I like the idea that he was paid for service rendered.

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