Teeth and No-teeth

Shah Ali desired to see the hungriest man in his kingdom, and find out

how much of the daintiest food such a man could eat at a meal. So he

let it be known that on a certain day he would dine with his courtiers

in the open air, in front of the palace. At the appointed hour,

tables were laid and dinner was served, in the presence of a vast

crowd. After the first course, the shah mounted a daïs, and said:

'My loyal subjects! you see what a splendid dinner I have. I should

like to share it with those among you who are really hungry, and have

not eaten for a long time, so tell me truly which is the hungriest

of you all, and bid him come forward.'

Two men appeared from the crowd: an old man of fifty and a young man

of twenty-seven. The former was grey-haired and feeble, the latter

was fresh and of athletic build.

'How is it that you are hungry?' asked the shah of the old man. 'I

am old, my children are dead, toil has worn me out, and I have eaten

nothing for three days.' 'And you?' said the shah, turning to the

young man. 'I could not find work, and as I am a hearty young man I

am ashamed to beg, so I too have not eaten for three days.' The shah

ordered them to be given food, on one plate, and in small portions. The

hungry men eagerly ate, watching each other intently. Suddenly the

old man and the young one both stopped and began to weep. 'Why do

you weep?' asked the shah in astonishment. 'I have no teeth,' said

the old man, 'and while I am mumbling my food this young man eats

up everything.' 'And why are you weeping?' 'He is telling lies,

your majesty; while I am chewing my meat the old man gulps down

everything whole....'