Many times in my studies, I would visit Ajdoh and listen to the wisdom of this sage furre. His favorite spot was beneath the shady limbs of a walnut tree near his hermitage and we spent many a warm evenings there. I remember one afternoon in particular when four cubs came and playfully gathered the walnuts that had fallen from the tree. We watched them, I their basking in the warmth from their easy joy, and Ajdoh with a contemplative smile.
After they gathered their nuts, they sat on the grass and cheerfully doled out the fruit of their labors, but soon their laughter was disrupted by arguing. Finally, the whole troop of them came to stand before Ajdoh looking very serious. "Ajdoh," said the oldest cub, "you are wise among the wise. Everyfurre says this, and bows to your judgment in all things. We have a case which needs your judgment." Ajdoh smiled without saying anything and nodded for the cub to contiune. "There are four of us as you see," the cub explained, "and we have collected all the walnuts that could be found from beneath the walnut tree. We wanted to divide them equally since we shared equally in the labor of gathering them, but see... there are still three walnuts remaining. How are we to decide who will get the extra nuts, and which of us will go without? Please, wise Ajdoh, tell us what would be fair." Ajdoh rubbed his chin and looked thoughtfully at each of the young furres before him. After much deliberation, he said, "Tell me, young furres. Would you have the Dragon's justice in this matter, or do you wish the furres' justice?" The cubs looked at Ajdoh, puzzled at the notion that there could be two answers to their dilemma, and not a little daunted at the prospect of having to chose between them. Finally, the oldest cub spoke to his companions: "I know furres' justice too well... How many times have we watched a furre bribe the judge and receive favorable treatment... or the judge let his own biases decide the case? Here too, we may be expected to pay a bribe and the one who pays least will be deprived. I vote for the Dragon's justice." "I also vote for the Dragon's justice." said the youngest as he looked at his friends with an open expression. "Does not the Dragon provide for all? And do not our elders try to live according to the ways of the Dreaming? I believe the Dragon will shake the tree and cause another walnut to fall so that we all may have an equal share." "Furres' justice is only a phantom," the third cub said. "Always, the ones who administer it are thieves who take for themselves. If we chose furres' justice, then Ajdoh would take as many walnuts as he pleased, and we would have to be content with what was left. No, I vote we chose the Dragon's justice." "We all argee then," said last cub, "For who would prefer the wisdom of a furre compared to the wisdom of Hajimemshite.. almighty and compassionate? Even in the smallest matters, one should call upon the wisdom of the Dragon for guidance." "You have chosen well." Ajdoh's smile widen as he bowed to the cubs. To the first, he gave fifty walnut, to the second thirty, to the third he gave three, and to the last none at all. "You see, fairness is not served with equal measure, my young furres, but with just measure."