STORY CXXVII
A poet went to an Amir of robbers and recited a panegyric, but he ordered him to be divested of his robe. As the poor man was departing naked in the world, he was attacked from behind by dogs, whereon he intended to snatch up a stone, but it was frozen to the ground, and being unable to do so, he exclaimed: "What whore-sons of men are these? They have let loose the dogs, and have tied down the stones!"
The Amir of the robbers, who heard these words from his room, laughed and said: "O philosopher! Ask something from me."
He replied: "I ask for my robe, if thou wilt make me a present of it. We are satisfied of thy gift by departure.[1] A man was hoping for the gifts of people; I hope no gift from thee! Do me no evil."
The robber chief took pity on him, ordered his robe to be restored to him, and added to it a sheepskin jacket with some dirhems.
STORY CXXVIII
An astrologer, having entered his own house, saw a stranger, and, getting angry, began to insult him, whereon both fell upon each other and fought, so that turmoil and confusion ensued. A pious man who had witnessed the scene exclaimed: "How knowest thou what is in the zenith of the sky if thou art not aware who is in thy house?"
- ↑ Meaning, 'We excuse thee from making us a present, if we are only allowed to depart in safety.'
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