A king announced that he would give half his kingdom to anyone who could tell a lie that he admitted was a lie. A shepherd and tailor both tried but failed, telling stories the king did not fully accept as lies. Finally, a peasant came and claimed the king owed him a bag of gold. When the king denied owing him anything, the peasant insisted it was a lie and demanded half the kingdom instead, outwitting the king into admitting his initial claim was a lie.

1. HovhannesTumanianThe LiarOnce upon a time there lived a king. This king announced throughout the land:

2. “I shall give half of my kingdom to the man who can tell a lie that I admit to be a lie.” A shepherd came and said,

3. “Long May Your Majesty Reign! My father had a cudgel which he reached out from here and stiredthe stars in the sky. “It’s possible,” answered the King. “My grandfather had a pipe. He put one end of it in his mouth and stretched the other up to the sun to light it.”

4. The man went out scratching his head. A tailor came and said,

5. “I am sorry, O King, to have come so late. I had intended to come earlier. But It rained cats and dogs yesterday, and lightning rent the sky. Iwent to patch it up.” “Oh, very commendable,” said the King, “but you haven’t patched it very well, for it rained a little again this morning.

6. This man also went away empty-handed.

7. A peasant came in with a bag on his shoulder. “What do you want, my good man?” asked the King. “You owe me a bag of gold. I have come for it.” “A bag of gold!” exclaimed the King. “That s a lie. I owe you nothing.”

8. “All right. It is a lie. Then give me half of your kingdom“No, no. You’re quite right. It’s not a lie,” the king changed his word.

9. “If I am telling the truth. Then give me the bag of gold.”

10. YannaAbovyan and Friends