The young fellow leant a very interested and attentive ear to the strange story that Nicomar told to him. When he had finished he took him to his hut and gave him a meal of rice, then bade him go over the tale once more in all its details.
Whereupon he asked at the conclusion—
"If I, poor and ignorant, satisfy the King that his command can be performed, what will you give unto me?"
Nicomar, trembling with joy and incredulity, promised him one half of what he had and the hand of his daughter in marriage.
Then the Burman said—
"To-morrow we will seek the King." More he would not say, but sat in the dusky gloom of the coming evening, smoking.
Nicomar, with the great weight of his troubles somewhat lightened, slept heavily.
On the morning of the fourteenth day Nicomar prostrated himself before his master.
"Well," asked the King, "come you to claim your reward?"