Two women came before wise King Solomon, dragging between
them a young man.
“This young man agreed to marry my daughter,” said one.
“No! He agreed to marry MY daughter,” said the other.
And so they began arguing until the King called for silence.
“Bring me my biggest sword,” said Solomon, “and I shall hew
the young man in half. Each of you shall receive a half.”
“Sounds good to me,” said the first lady.
But the other woman said, “Oh Sire, do not spill innocent
blood. Let the other woman’s daughter marry him.”
The wise king did not hesitate a moment. “The man must marry
the first woman’s daughter,” he proclaimed.
“But she was willing to hew him in two!” exclaimed the king’s
court.
“Indeed,” said wise King Solomon. “That shows she is the TRUE
mother-in-law.”