Irene Mirković

When wealthy shopkeeper Raffik loses his money pouch in the market, he offers a gold coin as a reward to the one who finds it, and returns it to him. But when Ivo, an impoverished but honest farmer, does just that, the greedy Raffik decides he would rather not part with the gold coin. Slipping one coin out of the pouch, Raffik accuses Ivo of helping himself to the reward ahead of time, and the case ends up in court. Will the judge believe Raffik's story? Will he have Ivo arrested? A surprise is in store for both...

This charming Serbian folktale, which teaches that the dishonest man is often hurt by his own stratagems, is retold by Irene Mirković, who (most unfortunately) appears never to have published another book. Harold Berson - whose other folkloric projects include Why the Jackal Won't Speak To the Hedgehog and How the Devil Gets His Due - contributes his signature artwork, this time featuring the traditional garb of the Bosnian Serbs. All in all, a lovely little book, which I recommend to those with an interest in Balkan folklore.… (more)