Swahili Tales/The Cheat and the Porter
THE CHEAT AND THE PORTER.
There was a man, a cheat, who used to go and buy things, and when he had bought them he did not give those who took them up their hire.
One day he bought a box of glasses, and he sought for a man to carry them for him; and he got a porter and said to him, "Choose either one of two things, to give you your hire, or I will give you three words that will be of service to you in the world." And he said, "I get pice every day. I will carry it for those three words that you shall tell me."
And he carried the box. And when he had got a third of the way, he said, "Master, this box is heavy, it is too much for me; give me one word, that I may get spirit to go on."
And he said, "If any one tells you that slavery is better than freedom, don't believe him."
And he looked hard at him, and knew that "The owner of this box is a cheat, but I had better wait till I get there." And they went, and when they had got another third, he said to him, "Tell me the second word."
And he said, "If any one tells you that poverty is better than riches, don't believe him."
And they went on, till when they reached the house he said to him, "Master, tell me the third word." And he said, "Put it down." And he said, "I am exceedingly pleased with the two words you have told me; tell me the third, that I may get to set it down."
And he said, "If any one tells you that hunger is better than fulness, don't believe him."
And he said, "Out of the way, master, that I may set it down." And he lifted it above his head and let it fall. And the owner said, "Ah! ah! you have broken my box for me."
And he said, "If any one tells you that there is one glass left in this box that is not broken, don't you believe him."