remonstrance, seeing that he was only exercising his undoubted rights. At last, however, he one day appeared with a dead cat, which he left there till the occupants of the house, finding that neither remonstrances, entreaties, nor threats could induce him to remove the nuisance, and knowing that an appeal to law would be useless, seeing that Johha had the Kadi’s ear, were glad to re-sell the house to him for a nominal sum. Ever since that time, the phrase “a peg of Johha’s”’ has been used proverbially by orientals in much the same sense in which Englishmen speak of “a white elephant.”
One day Johha borrowed a large “tanjera,” or copper saucepan, from a neighbour for domestic use. Next day he returned it together with a very small, but quite new one. What is this?” asked the surprised owner. “Your tanjera gave birth to a young one during the night,” replied the jester, and, in spite of the incredulity of the other man, maintained his assertion, refusing to take back the smaller tanjera, on the ground that the young belonged to the parent, and the parent’s owner. Besides, it was cruel to separate so young a child from its mother. After a deal of protestation, the neighbour, believing him mad, resolved to humour him, and took the small tanjera, greatly wondering at the jester’s whim. Its point was revealed to his chagrin, some days later, when Johha came and bor- rowed a large and valuable copper “‘dist,” or cauldron. This he did not return, but carried it off to another town, where he sold it. When its owner sent to
