Three Thieves
In ancient times, there lived three thieves in a certain kagakhanate. They were exceptionally skilled thieves, instilling fear in all the residents of the kagakhanate. Even the khan and his treasurers were wary of these cunning thieves, constantly guarding the treasury and concealing its location. Despite their efforts, no one had yet managed to capture these elusive bandits.
One night, the thieves gathered in an abandoned house, plotting their next heist. One of them said:
"I can determine where the khan’s treasury is hidden."
"And I can tell where the khan will be tonight," added the second.
"And I can throw a rope ladder to any height and secure it there," boasted the third.
After deliberating, they decided to steal the khan’s treasury that very night.
However, on that same night, the khan resolved to catch these thieves at any cost and subject them to the harshest punishment. The khan’s servants tracked the thieves and informed the khan of their whereabouts. The khan went in secrecy alone to the thieves, introduced himself as a fellow thief, and asked to join their group.
"What do you know about our trade?" they asked.
"If you are caught, I can tell without fail whether you will be executed or pardoned," the khan replied. "I know all the khan’s habits. For example If he holds the right side of his collar, you will be hanged; if the left, you will be pardoned."
The thieves agreed, saying, "We feel that you’re telling the truth, come with us."
They headed to the khan’s palace. As they approached a large stone building, one thief said:
"The khan’s treasury is here."
"The khan is not far from us," said the second.
The third thief threw the rope ladder onto the roof, climbed up, and called the others. The khan climbed up after them. The thieves quickly made a hole in the roof and descended into the room where the treasury was hidden. They found bags filled with something heavy; each took a bag. When the first thief climbed back through the roof, his bag came undone. He felt inside—no gold, but salt. He informed the others, who also found salt in their bags.
"Someone has beaten us to it," they said, discarding the bags and leaving.
The khan, equally surprised, returned to his palace.
By morning, everything was clear. As the sun rose, three main advising viziers rushed to the khan, reporting that thieves had stolen the khan’s treasury during the night. The khan, concealing his knowledge of the true thieves, ordered all the city's residents to gather in the square before the palace. When the time came, the khan asked:
"Is everyone here?"
"O khan, everyone is here," replied the viziers.
"No, not everyone," the khan countered. "Three men are still in an abandoned house under the hill. Bring them here alive."
The viziers sent the guards, who dragged the three thieves to the square. Approaching the throne, the thieves recognized the khan as their nocturnal companion and got terrified. One thief quietly said:
"I told you the khan was nearby. Now watch him: if he holds the right side of his collar, we’re doomed; if the left, we’re safe."
The khan asked the thieves, "Were you at the palace last night?" while holding the left side of his collar. Seeing this, the thieves knew the khan meant them no harm.
"Yes, lord, we were," they boldly replied.
"Did you steal my treasury?"
"No, sire," answered the thieves, recounting everything. The khan, after listening, called his courtiers and asked, "Who took the gold from my treasury?"
"O khan, we found a hole in the roof this morning and discovered the gold was stolen."
The khan, now holding the right side of his collar, told the gathered crowd how he had gone to steal his own treasury and found salt instead of gold in the bags.
"The treasury was looted by you," he said, pointing at his viziers. "Hang them!" he ordered