who requested him to describe the government of his son.  The deceased king was greatly rejoiced to hear of his good conduct, and recommended that he should continue to go on thus.  The delighted king, who had cordially loved his father, did not cease from asking further questions, and the artful minister always contrived to bring in at the end of his answers—­“It was only this or that thing that the father wished to see done,” and of course the good son fulfilled his father’s wishes, not for one moment doubting the assertions of his minister.

The king is said to be rather passionate, and when in such a state of mind, will order the immediate execution of an offender.  The minister, on the other hand, possesses at least enough sense of justice to endeavour to stay the sentence of death upon men whom he does not fear.  He has, therefore, given orders that when such a circumstance occurs, he is to be sent for immediately, and that the preparations for the execution are to be delayed until he comes.  He makes his appearance then as if accidentally, and asks what is going on.  The enraged sovereign tells him that he is about to have an offender executed.  The minister agrees with him completely, and steps to the window to consult the sky, clouds, and sun.  Presently he cries out that it would be better to postpone the execution until the following day, as the clouds, sun, or sky at the present moment are not favourable to it, and that some misfortune to the king might probably result from it.  In the meanwhile, the king’s rage abates, and he consents that the condemned should be taken away, and generally, that he shall be set free; the next morning the whole affair is forgotten.

The following circumstance is also interesting; the king had once a particular hatred for one of his town governors, and ordered him to the capital, with the intention of having him strangled.  The minister, who was a friend of the governor, was desirous of saving him, and did so in the following manner.  He said to the king, “Sire, I bid you farewell, I am going to Mecca.”  The king, greatly grieved at the prospect of losing his favourite for so long (the journey to Mecca takes at least a year), hastily asked the reason of his making this journey.  “You know, sire, that I am childless, and that I have adopted the governor whom you wish to have executed; I shall then lose my son, and I wish to fetch another from Mecca.”  The king answered that he knew nothing of this, but as such was the case he would not have him executed, but allow him to retain his office.

The king has a great affection for his mother.  When she visited him, he always rose and continued standing, while she sat down.  The minister was much annoyed at this mark of respect, and said to him, “You are king, and your mother must stand before you.”  And he ultimately succeeded according to his wish.  If, however, the king’s mother comes at a time when the minister is not present, her son pays her this respect.  He then gives strict orders to his people not to say anything of it to the minister.