into his yard and told them that he would pay them a ruble for every broken pot. The boys were delighted, smashed all the pots, got their money, and ran away. The next day, the potter said he didn't have much money, he could only pay 50 kopecks. The boys broke all the pots again, got their money, and ran off. The same thing happened the next day, but this time, the potter could only pay 20 kopecks for each broken pot. The following morning, the kids came back to the yard. The old man went out to them and said, "I have almost no money left now because I had nothing to sell. Now, for each broken pot, I can only pay one kopeck." The boys were outraged, "You found fools to break your pots for free!". They never broke any more pots.