Stolen Soup Aroma

Esther is a poor orphan girl who has only plain rice to eat, while her wealthy neighbor Agnes cooks delicious vegetable stew every day. When Agnes refuses to share even a little stew, Esther comforts herself by eating her rice while enjoying the wonderful aroma drifting across the street.But Agnes becomes angry and accuses Esther of stealing the smell of her stew. She takes the matter to the king, demanding punishment. The wise king listens carefully and delivers a clever judgment: if Esther stole only the aroma, then Agnes may punish only Esther's shadow.Ashamed by the king's wisdom, Agnes realizes how selfish she has been. She apologizes to Esther and promises to share her stew from then on.