Chief Ten Eagles had three wives, and all of them were pregnant.

The first wife gave birth to a wonderful baby boy. The chief was so happy he made her a deer hide tee pee.

Just a few days later, the second wife gave birth, also to a baby boy. The chief was very happy and built her a tee pee made of antelope hides.

A few days later, the third wife gave birth. This time, however, the chief kept the details a secret. He built this one a two-story tee pee, made out of hippopotamus hides. Chief Ten Eagles then challenged the entire tribe to guess what had occurred.

Many of his people tried, unsuccessfully, to decipher the riddle of the third tee pee. Finally, one young brave declared that the third wife had given birth to twin boys.

“You are right, young Running Bear. How did you figure this out?”

Running Bear answered, “It’s simple, Chief. The value of the squaw of the hippopotamus is equal to the sons of the squaws of the other two hides.”