The Monkey and the Snake
A monkey lived in a tall mango tree. A snake lived in the grass below. The tree had sweet fruit. The grass had birds' eggs. So they made a trade.
“I will drop you three mangoes,” said the monkey. “You give me three eggs. Is that fair?”
“That is fair,” said the snake.
The first day, the monkey dropped three mangoes. The snake gave three eggs. Both were happy.
The second day, the monkey dropped three mangoes. But the snake gave only two eggs.
“Where is my third egg?” asked the monkey.
“There were only two today,” said the snake. “Tomorrow will be better.”
The third day, the monkey dropped three mangoes. The snake gave only one egg.
“This is worse than yesterday!” said the monkey. “You promised three. Now you give me one.”
“The birds flew away,” said the snake. “It is not my fault.”
The fourth day, the monkey kept his mangoes. He dropped nothing.
“Where is my fruit?” the snake called up.
“There were no mangoes today,” said the monkey. “Tomorrow will be better.”
The snake was angry. “You refuse to share! Do you want a fight?”
“No,” said the monkey. “I want a fair trade. You taught me how to count. Now we are even.”
The snake said nothing. He had no answer to that. From that day, when they traded three for three, the count was always correct. It is easier to be honest, the snake learned, than to remember every small lie.