“As you walked by the way, whom did you meet?” asked the wizard.
“No one,” replied the young man.
“Nay, my son, you saw a slave of your father’s, cutting grass in a garden. She is to be your wife.”
Distressed that such a woman should be his wife, the young man fled from his own country.
And it came to pass, that the chow saw the slave girl that she was kind, noble, and beautiful, and he took her to his house as a daughter, and she became more kind, more noble, and more beautiful.
Years had gone by, and, upon a day the son returned, and, seeing in the one-time slave a most lovable and lovely woman, sought and [58 ] gained her as his wife. Word reached the young man then that this was but a slave, and, on learning the truth, he begged that he might be released to go on a long journey. The young wife consented.
A boat was made ready, and the chow’s son had it in his heart never to return. So, secretly, the chow had a gold image hidden in the bottom of the boat. When the day of departure had come, the chow in haste sent his servants to inquire of his son what he had in the boat.
“I have but my possessions,” replied the son.
“Nay, you have the image of gold, which is the possession of my master, the chow,” insisted the servants. “If we find it in the boat, what will you do?” they asked.
“Return with you as a slave to my father!” exclaimed the son.