The opulence of the master's house was known far and wide. His house was adorned with precious gems and gold artifacts, but the latest theft was the most shocking of all - a gold necklace of immense value was missing. The master was distraught and suspected one of his servants to be the thief.

The servants were a diverse group of individuals, each with their own unique personalities and skills. They were all shocked and worried when they were accused of stealing the necklace. None of them confessed to the theft, claiming their innocence.

The master, frustrated with the lack of progress, approached the local court and lodged a complaint against his servants. The judge, known for his wisdom and fairness, summoned all the servants to his court.

The servants, one by one, were questioned by the judge. They all denied stealing the necklace. The judge, noticing their fear and confusion, hatched a unique plan to identify the thief.

The judge handed each servant a stick of the same length. He instructed them to bring the sticks back the next day, stating that the stick of the thief would grow by an inch. The servants left the court with the sticks, wondering about the judge's strange request.

At home, the servants carefully kept their sticks untouched, knowing they hadn't committed the crime. However, the real thief, worried that his stick would indeed grow by an inch, decided to cut it down by an inch to balance it out.

The next day, all the servants returned to the court, each carrying their stick. The judge inspected each stick carefully, measuring them against a standard scale. After a while, he pointed at one servant, a look of satisfaction on his face.

The servant, whose stick was shorter by an inch, was the thief. His fear had led him to cut his stick, falling directly into the judge's trap. The truth was out, and the servant trembled as he confessed his guilt.

The judge ordered the servant to return the stolen necklace. The master, relieved to have his precious jewel back, thanked the judge for his wisdom. The servant was sentenced to a punishment fit for his crime.

This incident spread throughout the town as a lesson to all that no crime goes unpunished. The judge's clever plan was praised, and the master's house was once again a place of peace and harmony.

The master became more cautious, ensuring the safety of his treasures. The servants, having learned a grave lesson, worked diligently and honestly. The judge's wisdom and fairness became a tale told to generations, deterring potential thieves.