Dude stole food to survive, perhaps to prevent his kids from starving. Morally I think there is nothing wrong with that in such a situation as long as your not taking it from someone who will starve themselves due to this action. This punishment is overkill. If you absolutely cannot afford to let him keep the chicken and work it off for you somehow, take him to the center of the market and make him apologize so other stallkeepers know to watch out. And s be him home. The only bad guy here is dude with the blade.