Thereupon the water-carrier fell down at the woman’s feet and kissed the hem of her raiment. “Kill me, O, my beloved!” he cried, “for, indeed, I am worthy only of death. But first grant thy forgiveness! It was the madness of my love which drove me to kill thee, when those evil tidings came. [[167]]I had been diligent in business, praying Allah to grant me success, so that I might build a fitting home for thee and me. And my efforts were crowned with the answer to my prayer. At the very time when the tidings came, I was about to come to thee with the precious news; and, therefore, was the more easily incensed. But I ask not for mercy, O, my beloved! Do as thou wilt with me. It will be just.”
“Then, if the prince will be gracious still, and I return unto thee, wilt thou, henceforth, learn the truth before thou sharpenest thy dagger?”
“Canst thou believe me, O, my wife? A thousand times, yes!”
Then the prince, whose eyes were full, gave the woman to her husband. They returned home, were married all over again; the wedding was celebrated for forty days and forty nights, after which they lived long and happily. Salaam! [[168]]
STORY OF THE COFFEE-MAKER’S APPRENTICE
The tellers of stories and narrators of tales relate that, once upon a time, there was a valiant youth who had fallen into very poor circumstances, which it seemed impossible to mend. Therefore he decided to try his fortunes in other lands; and, the thought occurring to him that he would not like every chance passer to discover his identity, he disguised himself and fared forth.
After going and going, for a long time, he found himself in another country; and, being weary, he entered the coffeehouse of an old, old man whom, after he had refreshed himself with the unsatisfactory coffee, he asked permission to serve as an apprentice.
The proprietor of the little shop regarded him sadly and replied: “Ai, my son! the coffeehouse is old and does not attract customers—as you see. I have only one or two. They bring me in not more than five or ten paras (ten paras = one cent) a [[169]]day; out of which I must buy bread for the evening. That is all I have to live on. Even should you offer to serve me for nothing, how could I take you?”
But this did not abash the young applicant. “Father,” he replied, “I ask nothing whatever from you. Only I beg that you permit me to thrust my head into this refuge, that I may know myself to be out of harm’s way.”