The Clever Judge
故事全文
There was once a civil magistrate whose surname was Chao. Everyone called him "Legendary Judge Chao", because he never wronged the innocent. There was a filial son named Ma-Ming who sold fried doughsticks at the market every morning to take care of his sick mother.
One day, after selling his fried doughsticks, he needed to go to the toilet urgently. So, he wrapped up his money in a blue cloth bag, and placed it in a bamboo basket on top of a large stone. When Ma-Ming came out, the blue cloth bag and his money had disappeared. He looked everywhere, but he could not find it. When Ma-Ming realized that he did not have money to buy his mother's medicine, he started to cry. Everyone gathered around Ma-Ming and wondered who had taken his money. Judge Chao happened to pass by and heard Ma-Ming crying.
After listening to Ma-Ming's story, Judge Chao pointed at the large stone and asked, "Did you place your basket on this stone?" Ma-Ming replied, "Yes, I did." Judge Chao replied, "Then we shall have to ask the stone to find out who stole your money!" Judge Chao turned to face the stone and said, "Stone! Did you steal Ma-Ming"s money? Speak! Or you will be punished!" As expected, the stone did not utter a word. Judge Chao picked up a stick and started to beat the stone. Everyone laughed.
Judge Chao said, "As you all can see, the stone refuses to speak! I don't think it will return the stolen money even if I continue to beat it. However, since Ma-Ming is a filial son, let us all donate a coin to help him out." He asked for a basin of water, and told everyone to toss a coin into it. Everyone lined up and tossed a coin from their pockets into the basin of water. Suddenly, Judge Chao shouted, "It is you! You stole Ma-Ming's money! Ma-Ming sells fried doughsticks so his coins are covered in oil. There was oil floating on the water after you put the coin in." Judge Chao ordered his guards to search the man. As expected, the blue cloth bag with Ma-Ming's money was found. Ma-Ming bowed gratefully and said, "Thank you, Sir!" And everyone nodded and said, "Judge Chao is clever indeed!"
