When the judge left the court he went home, Bauakas followed him.
“What do you want?” asked the judge. Are not satisfied with my decision?”
“I am satisfied said Bauakas,” said Bauakas. “But I should like to learn to know how you knew that the woman was the wife of the scholar, that the money belongs to the butcher, and that the horse was mine and not the beggar’s.”
“This is how I knew about the woman: in the morning I sent for her and said: ‘Please fill my inkwell.’ She took the inkwell, washed it quickly and deftly, and filled it with ink: therefore it was work she was accustomed to. If she had been the wife of the peasant she would not have known how to do it. This showed me that the scholar was telling the truth.
“And this is how I knew about the money: I put it into a cup full of water, and in the morning I looked to see if any oil had risen to the surface. If money had belonged to the oil merchant it would have been soiled by oily hands. There was no oil on the water; therefore, the butcher was telling the truth.
“It was more difficult to find out about the horse. The cripple recognize it among twenty others, even as you did. However, I did not take you both to the stable to see which of you knew the horse, but to see which of you knew the horse. When you approached it, it turned its head and stretched its neck toward you; but when the cripple touched it, it laid back its ears and lifted one hoof. Therefore I knew that you were the horse real master.” Then Bauakas said to the judge: I am not a merchant, but king Bauakas. I came here in other to see if what is said of you is true. I see now that you are a wise judge. Ask whatever you wish of me, and you shall have it as a reward.”
“I need no reward,” replied the judge. “I am content that my king has praised me.”