Two men were traveling in company along the road when one of them picked up a well-filled purse.
"How lucky I am!" he said. "I have found a purse. Judging by its weight it must be full of gold."
"Do not say I have found a purse," said his companion. "Say rather we have found a purse and how lucky we are. Travelers ought to share alike the fortunes or misfortunes of the road."
"No, no," replied the other angrily. " I found it and I am going to keep it."
Just then they heard a shout of "Stop, thief!" and looking around, saw a mob of people armed with clubs coming down the road.
The man who had found the purse fell into a panic.
"We are lost if they find the purse on us," he cried.
"No, no," replied the other, "You would not say we before, so now stick to your I. Say I am lost."