In a village, ten cloth merchants return home after a successful trading trip, only to encounter three robbers in a dense forest. The robbers, armed and confident, demand the merchants' possessions, stripping them of everything except for their loincloths. The robbers, feeling victorious, order the merchants to dance for their amusement. Among the merchants, one clever individual devises a plan. Observing the robbers' complacency and their weapons left unattended, he leads a dance while singing a coded song. The song uses trade language, allowing the merchants to communicate their numbers and strategy without the robbers understanding. The leader's lyrics indicate that they are ten men and the robbers only three, suggesting a coordinated attack. As the song is repeated, the merchants split into groups, each targeting a robber. They successfully overpower the thieves, binding them with strips of cloth. The merchants reclaim their belongings and take the robbers' weapons. Upon returning to their village, they share their tale of triumph, highlighting the importance of cleverness and teamwork in overcoming adversity. The story illustrates the theme of pride leading to downfall, as the robbers' arrogance ultimately leads to their defeat.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1898 · Genre: Fable, Adventure, Folklore