Two women came before wise King Solomon, dragging
between them a young man.

"This young shepherd agreed to marry my daughter,"
said one.

"No! He agreed to marry MY daughter," said the other.

And so they haggled before the King until he called
for silence.

"Bring me my biggest sword," said Solomon, "and I
shall hew the young shepherd in half.  Each of you
shall receive a half."

"Sounds good to me," said the first lady.

But the second 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 shepherd
must marry the first lady'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."