A merchant left a heavy set of iron scales with a friend for safekeeping. When he returned, the friend said, “So sorry — the mice ate your iron scales all up!”
The merchant said nothing, but later offered to take the man's son to the river. He hid the boy safely and returned saying, “A hawk swooped down and carried your son away!” “Impossible!” cried the friend.
“No more impossible,” said the merchant calmly, “than mice eating iron.” Ashamed, the friend returned the scales, and the merchant returned his son. Each got back what was truly theirs.