The Young Boys and the Butcher

THE YOUNG BOYS AND THE BUTCHER. You will find the fable in English on this page; scroll to see if there are multiple English versions. [more info]

The Two Boys and the Butcher

026. THE TWO BOYS AND THE BUTCHER. You will find the fable in English on this page; scroll to see if there are multiple English versions. [more info]

The Young Men and the Cook

183. THE YOUNG MEN AND THE COOK. Two young men went into a cook's shop, under pretence of buying meat; and while the cook's back was turned, one of them snatched up a piece of beef and gave it to his companion, who presently clapt it under his cloak. The cook turning about again, and missing his beef, began to charge them with it: which, he that first took it, swore bitterly he had none of it: he that had it, swore as heartily that he had taken up none of his meat.
“Why, look ye, gentlemen,” says the cook, “I see your equivocation; and though I cannot tell which of you has taken my meat, I am sure, between you both, there is a thief and a couple of rascals.” [more info]

Two Young Men and the Cook

2.60. TWO YOUNG MEN AND THE COOK. Two young men went into a cook's shop, under pretence of buying meat; and while the cook's back was turned, one of them snatched up a piece of beef, and gave it to his companion, who presently clapt it under his cloak. The cook turning about again, and missing his beef, began to charge them with it; upon which, he that first took it, swore bitterly he had none of it. He that had it swore as heartily, that he had taken up none of his meat. Why look ye, gentlemen, says the cook, I see your equivocation; and though I can't tell which of you has taken my meat, I am sure, between you both, there's a thief, and a couple of rascals.
Thus quibbling thieves evade the charge,
Offend the laws, and go at large:
But though 'tis hard the crime to fix,
We know they're guilty by their tricks. [more info]