The Two Samural and the Servant

A samural was on his way to Kyoto, unhappy because he had not found a servant to carry his bags. A second samural was also going to Kyoto, and he was unhappy because he had not found a servant to keep him company. The two samural met up and decided to continue together. At least they could keep each other company.

Further on, they met a common man who was also going to Kyoto, and they asked him to enter their service. The man accepted willingly and the samural gave him their long swords to carry; but they were unhappy with their servant.

'You can see a mile off that you are not a warrior!' they reproached him. 'You don't know how to carry the swords properly.'

After enduring this for a while, the man grew tired of being made fun of. He drew on of their long swords and pointed it at their throats.

'Hand over your short swords from your belts!' he commanded. Once the two samural were disarmed, he made them hand over their money bags as well. Then he threw all the weapons into the river and off he went.

'Carry them by yourselves,' he said to the samural. 'I already feel exalted enough carrying your gold!'