"Friend Wood-cutter, will you help me with your mules? I have a load to move."
But the wood-cutter would not get up. "I have made a vow to stay in my bed, and here I shall stay," he answered.
"Then, will you let me take your mules?" asked the neighbour.
"Certainly, help yourself," said the wood-cutter.
The neighbour took the mules and went away. It happened that he had found a rich store of treasure in his field, and he needed the mules to carry it for him to his home.
But, alas for him! The animals were safely loaded and had nearly reached his house, when some armed policemen came that way. The man knew the law of the Sultan, by which he claimed all treasure-trove for himself.
There was only one thing for him to do, that is, if he did not wish to be killed for taking the treasure for himself. He must flee.
Away he ran as fast as he could move, leaving the mules to go where they chose.
You can easily guess they turned toward their own home. They soon reached it in safety.