Decameron First Day, Third Story Summary

Melchizedek and Saladin

Storyteller: Filomena
After Neifile's story of God and religion, Filomena wants to bring it down a notch to the doings of men.
She hopes to make her audience more careful about answering questions and to prove that wisdom is its own reward.

The great sultan Saladin had spent all his vast fortune on wars, and finding himself in a pinch he tries to persuade a Jewish man called Melchizedek to lend him some money.
But Melchizedek isn't willing and Saladin doesn't want to force him. Well, not openly.
So he sends for Melchizedek and asks him a question: Which is the authentic law, Jewish, Saracen (Muslim) or Christian?
Melchizedek knows it's a trap, so he answers with a story about a man who bequeaths a precious ring to one of his sons.
Whoever owns the ring will be considered the heir and everyone else will look up to him.
This practice is passed down through generations until one of the descendants has three awesome sons, and can't decide who should receive it.
So he gets a jeweler to make two more rings exactly like the first one.
But this causes a problem, because after the father's death they find that the rings are so alike, they can't decide who should inherit what.
Melchizedek concludes that these three religions follow the same pattern, and to this day, no one can say which one's the true law.
Saladin sees that Melchizedek is wise and instead of roughing him up, tells him exactly what funds he needs.
They come to an understanding and after a time, the Sultan pays him back in full.
He also showers Melchizedek with gifts and they become BFFs.