"This kindness of the scribe was pleasing to Amon, for he it was, in human aspect. He looked at the scribe, and inquired of him,
"'Of what wert Thou thinking while passing along here? for I see wisdom on thy forehead, and I am of those who seize words of truth as partridges pick up wheat kernels.'
"The scribe sighed.
"'I was thinking,' said he, 'of my misery, and of those frivolous rich men who spend their wealth without knowing why or in what manner.'
"'And wouldst Thou not waste wealth?' inquired the god, retaining human semblance.
"'Look at me, lord,' said the scribe. 'I have a tattered rag around my hips, and on the road I have lost my sandals; but my papyrus and reed I bear with me at all times, as I do the heart in my body. Both while rising in the morning and lying down at night, I repeat that wise poverty is far better than foolish riches. If I know how to express myself in two kinds of writing and to solve the most complicated problems, if I know all plants and every beast beneath the sky, Thou mayst judge whether I, the master of such lore, am capable of wasting property.'
"The god pondered awhile, and continued,
"'Thy speech flows as vigorously as the Nile at Memphis; but if Thou art so wise, indeed, write for me the name of Amon in two manners.'
"The scribe took his reed and brush, and in no long time he wrote the name Amon in two manners on the door of the hut, and so clearly that even dumb creatures would have stopped to give Lord Amon homage.
"The god was satisfied, and answered,