The Clever Daughter-in-Law

 

"The Clever Daughter-in-Law"

In a small village in Ethiopia, there lived a wise old woman named Almaz. Almaz had a son who was set to marry a beautiful young woman named Selam. Selam was known for her intelligence and quick thinking.

One day, a wealthy merchant visited the village and decided to test Selam's wit. He presented her with a bag filled with grains and said, "If you can count the exact number of grains in this bag, I will give you a handsome reward."

Selam knew that the merchant was trying to trick her, as counting the grains one by one would be an impossible task. She pondered for a moment and then smiled confidently.

Selam requested the merchant to pour the grains onto a large tray. She spread the grains evenly across the tray, creating a thin layer. She then calmly said, "If you can tell me whether there are an odd or even number of grains on this tray, I will give you the answer you seek."

Confident in his ability to count, the merchant eagerly accepted the challenge. He observed the tray, trying to count the grains, but soon realized it was an impossible task. After several attempts, he admitted defeat.

Selam, with a knowing smile, explained her clever trick. She revealed that if the merchant had been able to count the grains, it would mean there was an odd number. But since he couldn't count them, it meant there must be an even number of grains on the tray.

Impressed by Selam's intelligence and wit, the merchant acknowledged her victory and rewarded her handsomely. News of Selam's cleverness spread throughout the village, and she became renowned for her quick thinking and problem-solving skills.

"The Clever Daughter-in-Law" teaches us the value of wit, resourcefulness, and thinking outside the box. It reminds us that intelligence and cleverness can help us navigate through challenging situations and overcome obstacles.