Georgian Folk Tales by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: A collection of folk and fairy tales from the region lying between East and West, forming a bridge along which a great part of the traffic in ideas as well as in commodities must pass. By their religious and political connection with Byzantium on the one hand, and by their constant intercourse with Persia and Turkey on the other, the Iberians have gained much from both Christendom and Islam, and among them may yet be found lost links in several chains of historical and literary investigations.Georgian Tales, Georgia, fairy tale, children, magic, bedtime, stories, folklore, good and evil, family, society, social, heart-warming
Published: 2014-01-17T00:00:00+00:00

XIV. The Two Thieves

There was once a thief called the Big Thief. Now this Big Thief went into a town to steal. When he had gone some little distance he met an unknown man. ‘God give thee victory! [1] Mayst thou be victorious!’1 said they one to another. ‘Who art thou, and what is thy trade?’ inquired the Big Thief. ‘My trade is thieving, and my name is Little Thief,’ said the unknown. ‘I, too, am a thief, so let us join partnership.’ He agreed, and they became partners.

And they went on together to steal. On the way, the Big Thief said to the Little Thief: ‘Now give me a proof of thy skill in thieving.’ But the latter said: ‘Thou art the Big Thief, thou must show me thy skill; what can I do compared with thee?’ The Big Thief consented.

They saw, just at that moment, a pigeon sitting on a plane tree. The Big Thief said: ‘Now you shall see me pull out the tail of that pigeon on the plane tree without its knowledge.’ Having said this, he went up the tree.

When he had gone about half way, the Little Thief silently stole under the plane tree, climbed up, and while the Big Thief pulled out the tail of the pigeon, the Little Thief took off his companion’s drawers, and promptly descended the tree.

When the Big Thief came down and proudly showed the pigeon’s tail, the Little Thief thrust his hand into his pocket and showed him the drawers. When the Big Thief saw this, he was struck with amazement, and said: ‘Although I am famous I do not think thou art at all inferior to me.’ They had tried each other’s skill, and went on.

On the way, the Little Thief enquired of the Big Thief: ‘What shall we steal to-night?’ ‘Let us go to-night and break into the king’s treasury,’ said the Big Thief. ‘Very well,’ agreed his comrade, and they set out for the town.

At nightfall, when the tread of people’s feet had ceased, the thieves took two bags, and went to break into the king’s treasury. The Little Thief said: ‘Climb thou into the treasury, gather up the money, I shall fill the bags, then we can take them up, and make off.’ The Big Thief would not consent. ‘No,’ said he; ‘thou art the smaller, go inside, and I shall stay here.’ He insisted until he gained his point.

At last the Little Thief got in, and collected the money. The Big Thief stayed outside and filled the bags. When the two bags were full, he made a sign, the Little Thief came out of the treasury, they took the bags and went home.

Next morning the king went into his treasury. He looked in and saw what had happened. Then he called his council together, and made his complaint. They planned and planned, and at last thought of the following scheme. They took a big barrel, filled it with pitch, and placed it at the entrance to the treasury.

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