The Real Mother

Short Version

Once there were two women. One of them had a baby, but the other woman said that the baby was hers. They argued again and again. At last, they went to a judge for help.

The judge listened to both women. Each woman said, “The baby is mine.”

The judge thought of a plan. He said, “I will cut the baby into two equal parts and give one part to each of you.”

One woman agreed. But the other woman began to cry. She said, “Please do not hurt the baby. Give the baby to the other woman.”

The judge understood the truth. He knew that a real mother would never let her baby be hurt. So, he gave the baby to the woman who wanted to save it.

Moral: A mother’s love is true and selfless.

Expanded Version

Once there were two women who both claimed the same baby as their own. They argued for a long time, but neither woman was willing to give up the child.

At last, they went to a wise judge and asked him to decide who the real mother was.

The judge listened carefully to both women. The first woman said, “This baby is mine.” The second woman said the same thing. There were no witnesses who could tell the judge the truth.

The judge thought for a while. Then he said, “Since both of you claim the baby, I will divide the child into two equal parts and give one part to each of you.”

One woman immediately agreed.

But the other woman became terrified. She began to cry and said, “No! Please do not hurt the baby. Give the whole child to the other woman. I would rather lose the baby than see the child harmed.”

The judge now understood everything.

He said, “A real mother will always try to save her child, even if she has to give the child up. This woman is the true mother.”

He gave the baby to the woman who had begged him not to hurt it.

The false woman was ashamed, and the real mother held her baby with great love.

Everyone praised the judge for finding the truth with wisdom.

Moral: A mother’s love is true and selfless.