ACT II
PLACE: Caliph's Palace.
TIME: Hour later.
COURTIER: My lord, a good woodcutter is at the door and begs leave to come into your presence.
CALIPH: Bid him enter. There is none too poor to be received by me.
(Courtier goes out and returns with woodcutter, who kneels and kisses the ground. Then he stands with arms folded.)
CALIPH: Tell me, good man, what brought you here? Has any one done you a wrong?
WOODCUTTER: Great wrong, my lord. The rich barber Ali did buy a load of wood from me. He offered me five shekels for all the wood on my donkey. When I had put down the load, I asked for my money, but he refused to pay me until I had given him my pack saddle. He said the bargain was "all the wood on the donkey," and that the saddle is wood. He said he would put me in prison if I did not give up the saddle. Then he took it and drove me away with blows.
CALIPH: A strange story, truly. The barber has law on his side, and yet you have right on yours. The law must be obeyed, but—come here and let me whisper something to you.
(The woodcutter listens smilingly and bowing low, leaves the room.)