Just as the peddler was putting the things back into his box, the Caliph noticed a small drawer and asked what it contained.
"Only something of no value, which I picked up in a street of Mecca," the peddler replied. He thereupon opened the drawer and showed the Caliph a small box, containing a black powder and a scroll written in characters which neither the Caliph nor his Grand Vizier could make out. The Caliph immediately decided that he wanted this strange scroll, and the peddler was persuaded to part with it for a trifle. Then the Vizier was asked to find some one to decipher its meaning.
Near the mosque lived a man called Selim, who was so learned that he knew every language in the world. When the Vizier brought him to interpret the scroll, the Caliph said to him:
"They tell me that you are a scholar and can read all languages. If you can decipher what is written here, I shall [page 469] know that it is true, and will give you a robe of honor; but if you fail, I shall have you punished with many strokes, because you are falsely named."
Selim prostrated himself at the feet of the Caliph, and then took the scroll. He had not looked at it long when he exclaimed:
"My lord and master, I hope to die if this is not Latin."
"Well, if so, let us hear what it says," the Caliph impatiently answered. Selim at once began:
"Let him who finds this box praise Allah. If he snuffs the powder it contains, at the same time pronouncing the word 'Matabor,' he will be transformed into any creature that he desires, and will understand the language of all animals. When he wishes to return to his own form, let him bow to the east three times, repeating the word 'Matabor.' But remember if, while he is bird or beast, he should laugh, the magic word would be forgotten, and the enchantment would be on him forever."
The Caliph was delighted with the knowledge of Selim. He made him a splendid present, and told him to keep the secret. When he had dismissed the learned man, he turned to the Grand Vizier, and expressed a wish to try the powder.
"Come to-morrow morning early," said he, "and we will go together to the country and learn what the animals are talking about."