On this Abul crept out quietly, fell at the King’s feet, and cried: “Your Majesty, I died first.”
At the same time his wife crawled out and prostrated herself at the Queen’s feet, saying: “Your Majesty, I died first.”
All the followers began to laugh, and so did the King, who asked Abul why he had done this thing. Abul then confessed how he had squandered all the money which the King had given, and, not knowing how to get any more, had determined to do what he had done.
The King, pleased at Abul’s cleverness, gave him houses and money, so that he never again suffered any want.
[1] A than is a length of cloth which varies from five yards to twenty yards, or more. [↑]
THE MAGICIAN AND THE MERCHANT
One day a merchant, going for a stroll, came across a date tree; reaching up his hand, he plucked a date and threw the stone away.
Now, near the spot where it fell there lived a wicked magician, who suddenly appeared before the frightened merchant, and told him he was going to kill him.