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A LESSON IN JUSTICE Alexander [ Footnote : Al ex an'der . ] the king of Macedon , [ Footnote : Macedon ( pro . mas'e don ) . ] wished to become the master of the whole world . He led his armies through many countries . He plundered cities , he burned towns , he destroyed thousands of lives . At last , far in the East , he came to a land of which he had never heard . The people there knew nothing about war and conquest . Although they were rich , they lived simply and were at peace with all the world . The shah , or ruler of these people , went out to meet Alexander and welcome him to their country . He led the great king to his palace and begged that he would dine with him . When they were seated at the table the servants of the shah stood by to serve the meal . They brought in what seemed to be fruits , nuts , cakes , and other delicacies ; but when Alexander would eat he found that everything was made of gold . " What ! " said he , " do you eat gold in this country ? " " We ourselves eat only common food , " answered the shah . " But we have heard that it was the desire for gold which caused you to leave your own country ; and so , we wish to satisfy your appetite . " " It was not for gold that I came here , " said Alexander . " I came to learn the customs of your people . " " Very well , then , " said the shah , " stay with me a little while and observe what you can . " While the shah and the king were talking , two countrymen came in . " My lord , " said one , " we have had a disagreement , and wish you to settle the matter . " " Tell me about it , " said the shah . " Well , it is this way , " answered the man : " I bought a piece of ground from this neighbor of mine , and paid him a fair price for it . Yesterday , when I was digging in it , I found a box full of gold and jewels . This treasure does not belong to me , for I bought only the ground ; but when I offered it to my neighbor he refused it . " The second man then spoke up and said , " It is true that I sold him the ground , but I did not reserve anything he might find in it . The treasure is not mine , and therefore I am unwilling to take it . " The shah sat silent for a while , as if in thought . Then he said to the first man , " Have you a son ? " " Yes , a young man of promise , " was the answer . The shah turned to the second man : " Have you a daughter ? " " I have , " answered the man , " — a beautiful girl . " " Well , then , this is my judgment . Let the son marry the daughter , if both agree , and give them the treasure as a wedding portion . " Alexander listened with great interest . " You have judged wisely and rightly , " said he to the shah , " but in my own country we should have done differently . " " What would you have done ? " " Well , we should have thrown both men into prison , and the treasure would have been given to the king . "
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