` The houses shall remain the property of the man to whom they were given , and to whom they belong . And as you , ' he added , turning to the younger brother , ` brought this accusation knowing full well it was wicked and unjust , I order you , besides losing the houses , to pay a thousand pounds damages to your brother . ' The rich man heard the judge with rage in his heart , the poor man with surprise and gratitude . But he was not safe yet , for now it was the turn of the farmer . The judge could hardly conceal a smile at the story , and inquired if the wife was dead before the farmer left the house , and received for answer that he was in such a hurry for justice to be done that he had not waited to see . Then the poor man told his tale , and once more judgment was given in his favour , while twelve hundred pounds was ordered to be paid him . As for the muleteer , he was informed very plainly that he had proved himself mean and ungrateful for the help that had been given him , and as a punishment he must pay to the poor man a fine of fifty pounds , and hand him over the mule till his tail had grown again . Lastly , there came the two sons of the sick man . ` This is the wretch who killed our father , ' they said , ` and we demand that he should die also . ' ` How did you kill him ? ' asked the judge , turning to the accused , and the poor man told how he had leaped from the wall , not knowing that anyone was beneath . ` Well , this is my judgment , ' replied the judge , when they had all spoken : ` Let the accused sit under the wall , and let the sons of the dead man jump from the top and fall on him and kill him , and if they will not to this , then they are condemned to pay eight hundred pounds for their false accusation . ' The young men looked at each other , and slowly shook their heads . ` We will pay the fine , ' said they , and the judge nodded . So the poor man rode the mule home , and brought back to his family enough money to keep them in comfort to the end of their days . Adapted from the Portuguese . The One-Handed Girl An old couple once lived in a hut under a grove of palm trees , and they had one son and one daughter . They were all very happy together for many years , and then the father became very ill , and felt he was going to die . He called his children to the place where he lay on the floor -- for no one had any beds in that country -- and said to his son , ' I have no herds of cattle to leave you -- only the few things there are in the house -- for I am a poor man , as you know . But choose : will you have my blessing or my property ? '
` Your property , certainly , ' answered the son , and his father XXXXX .
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