The Bargain

Once there was a court Jester. But, he was a clever man in spite being a Jester. One day he was riding through a village fair and was enjoying himself.

While he was enjoying the fair, a man stopped him. The man said to the Jester pointing at the horse “That is a fine beast. How about selling it to me?”

The Jester was confused. He was unable to understand that why a stranger stopping him and asking to buy his horse.

Meanwhile, the stranger kept on asking him. ” I will give you twenty pounds for the horse,” said the stranger. This made the Jester really confused. He exclaimed astonishingly “Twenty Pounds?”

The stranger replied haughtily “Yes, twenty Pounds.”

The Jester being a clever man started thinking that there is more into the whole thing. He thought “He offered me twenty pounds for the horse. But, it is more worth than hundred pounds. What a crook! I have to think something to teach the man a lesson.”

The stranger kept pestering the jester to sell the horse to him. The Jester then said after few minutes ” Oh! Forget the twenty pounds. I can give you the horse for practically nothing.”

Now, the stranger was confused. He was not expecting this answer. He said “You are pulling my leg.”

Hearing the Jester smiled. He knew now that the stranger has fallen into his trap. He replied with all seriousness “I am serious. All you have to do is let me belt you thrice.”

” wha– what the…” stammered the confused stranger.

“Yes! The horse is yours for just three strokes of my belt on your back. Take it or leave it,” said the Jester smilingly. The stranger fell into deep thought. He thought for three beatings this fine horse will be his and he will not have to pay anything for it. The man replied ” I will take it.”

The Jester took out his belt and hit the stranger very hard. “One,” counted the Jester.

The Jester again hit the stranger harder than the first strike. “Two,” counted the Jester loudly.

After two beatings the stranger was in great pain. He thought “Just one more and the horse will be mine. I will bear the pain somehow.” He got himself ready for the third and final strike.

The stranger saw a strange thing. The Jester mounted his horse and was tying his belt back.

” Hey! where are you going?” asked the stranger all confused.

“Home,” the Jester replied calmly.

“But what about our deal?” asked the main in agonized pain.

The Jester replied with a sly smile on his face “You will have to wait a little, my friend. The horse is yours after three strikes of my belt. Right?”

The stranger replies little confused “Right!”

“At this moment, I am not in the mood to give you the third stroke. Do not worry. I will let you know when I am ready. So long! See you somewhere,” the Jester galloped way on his horse saying this.

The stranger remained standing there in all pain.

The End