After 7 years, Amin came back to his home village a rich man! He was riding a beautiful black horse and had many camels carrying gold and silver. Soon everyone learned about his success ( نجاح ) and wealth ( ثروة ). But when the merchant heard this news, he became greedy ( جشع ). He told Amin to pay him 500 silver coins for the eggs he gave him. Amin refused ( رفض ) to pay. The merchant was very angry and went to the village judge ( قاضي ) to make Amin pay.
On the day of the court hearing ( جلسة محاكمة ) , Amin arrived 40 minutes late! The judge asked, “Why are you late? Do you not have respect for the law?” Before Amin could answer, the merchant said to the judge, “Sir, Amin owes me 500 silver coins. I gave him one dozen [12] eggs 7 years ago. Twelve good chickens and roosters hatched ( بيض فاقس ) from them. These chickens would have given more eggs and many more chickens! Amin must pay me for all those chickens.”
The judge asked Amin, “What do you have to say for yourself?” Amin answered the judge, “Sir, forgive me for being late. I was planting ( يزرع ) 12 boiled beans ( فاصوليا مسلوقة ) in the garden and this work made me late.”
The judge answered, “Fool ( أحمق )! Everyone knows boiled beans will not grow!” Amin replied, “Yes, Sir. And also, everyone knows that boiled eggs will not hatch into chickens.”
With these words, Amin won the case and the merchant’s face filled with shame ( عار ). Amin gave the merchant 500 qirsh ($1 dollar) for the boiled eggs of long ago.