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THE KING AND HIS FAMILY

In times gone by a king reigned over Maghreb.  He had four sons.  He started, he, his wife, and his children, for the Orient.  They set sail, but their ship sank with them.  The waves bore them all in separated directions.  One wave took the wife; another bore the father alone to the middle of the sea on an island where he found a mine of silver.  He dug out enough silver until he had a great quantity and he established himself in the country.  His people after heard tell of him and learned that he dwelt in the midst of the sea.  They built houses until there was a great city.  He was king of that country.  Whoever came poor to him he gave him pieces of money.  A poor man married his wife.  As for his sons, they applied themselves to a study, each in a different country.  They all became learned men and feared God.  The King had a search made for tolbas who should worship God.  The first of the brothers was recommended to him.  He sent for him.  He sought also a khodja.  The second brother was designated.  He summoned him to the court.  The prince also especially wanted an adel.  Another brother was pointed to him.  He made him come to him as, indeed, he also did the imam, who was none other than the fourth brother.  They arrived at their father’s without knowing him or being known by him.  The wife and the man who had espoused her also came to the King to make complaint.  When they arrived the wife went alone that night to the palace.  The prince sent for the four tolba to pass the night with him until morning.  During the; night he spied upon them to see who they were.  One of them said to the others, “Since sleep comes not upon us, let each one make known who he is.”

One said:  “My father was a king.  He had much money and four sons whose names were like yours.”

Another said:  “My father was a king.  My case is like yours.”

Another said:  “My father was a king.  My case is like yours.”

The fourth said in his turn:  “My father, too, was a king.  My case is like that of your three.  You are my brothers.”

Their mother overheard them and took to weeping until day.

They took her to the prince, who said, “Why do you weep?”

She answered:  “I was formerly the wife of a king and we had four sons.  We set sail, he, our children, and I. The ship which bore us was wrecked.  Each one was borne away alone, until yesterday when they spoke before me during the night and showed me what had happened to them, to their father, and to their mother.”

The King said, “Let me know your adventure.”

They told him all that had happened.  Then the prince arose, weeping, and said, “You are my children,” and to the woman, “You are my wife.”  God reunited them.

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