Although his wife's name was Zeeba, as a matter of fact, she was very plain in appearance. But from having been named Zeeba, she really thought she was beautiful, and thus it came about that, moved by vanity, her two children were named, the boy, Yusuf, or Joseph, who as you know, was sold by his brethren into Egypt and became next to the King; and the girl, Fatima, after Fatima, the favorite daughter of Mahomet, and the wife of the famous Ali.
Now Abdul Karim was only a laborer on the land, receiving no wages, merely being paid in grain and cloth sufficient for the wants of himself and family. Of money he knew nothing except by name.
One day his master was so pleased with his work that he actually gave him ten "krans," equivalent to about a dollar of our money. To Abdul Karim this seemed great wealth, and directly his day's work was done, he ran home to his wife and said: "Look, Zeeba, there's riches for you!" and spread out the money before her. His good wife was delighted, and so were the children.
Then Abdul Karim said: "How shall we spend this great sum? The master has also given me a day's holiday, so if you don't mind, I will go to the famous city of Meshed, which is only twenty miles from here, and after placing two krans on the shrine of the holy Imam, I will then visit the bazaars and buy everything you and the children desire."
"You would better buy me a piece of silk for a new dress," said Zeeba.
"I want a fine horse and a sword," said little Yusuf.
"I would like an Indian handkerchief and a pair of gold slippers," said Fatima.
"They shall be here by to-morrow night," said the father, and taking a big stick, he set off on his journey.