“’I then put the very finest of the precious stones into the sleeves of the habits of the dead, and taking them with us, we three got out through the opening [I had made].  I offered up thanks to God [for our deliverance], and placed the boy on my shoulders.  It is a month since we quitted the high road from fear, and have travelled through bye-paths of the woods and mountains; when hunger attacked us, we fed on grass and leaves.  I have not strength left to say a word more; these are my adventures which you have just heard,’ O mighty king, [356] I took pity on his condition, and having sent him to the bath, I had him well dressed, and made him my deputy.  In my own house I had had several children by the princess, but they died one after another, when young; one son lived to five years of age, and then died; from grief for him my wife died also.  I was greatly afflicted, and that country became disagreeable to me after her loss; my heart became quite sad, and I determined to return to Persia.  I solicited the king’s leave to depart, and got the situation of the governor of the port transferred to the young man [whose story I have just related].  In the meantime the king died also; I took this faithful dog and all my jewels and money with me, and came to Naishapur, in order that no one should know the story of my brothers.  I have become well-known as the dog-worshipper; and owing to this evil fame, I to this day pay double taxes into the exchequer of the king of Persia.

“It so happened that this young merchant went to Naishapur, and owing to him I have had the honour to kiss your majesty’s feet.”  I asked [357] the khwaja Is not this [young merchant] your son?  He answered, “Mighty sire, he is not my son; he is one of your majesty’s own subjects; but he is now my master or heir, or whatever you choose to call him.”  On hearing this, I asked the young merchant, “what merchant’s son art thou, and where do thy parents reside?” The youth kissed the ground, and beseeching pardon for his life, replied, “This slave is the daughter of your majesty’s wazir; my father came under the royal anger on account of this very khwaja’s rubies, and your majesty’s orders were, that if in one year my father’s words should not be verified, he should be put to death.  On hearing [the royal mandate], I assumed this disguise and went to Naishapur; God has conducted the khwaja, together with the dog and rubies, before your majesty, and you have heard all the circumstances; I now am hopeful that my aged father may be released.”

On hearing these circumstances from the wazirzadi, the khwaja gave a groan, and helplessly fell down.  When rose water was sprinkled over his face, he recovered his senses, and exclaimed, “O, dire mishap! that I should have come from such a distance, with such toil and sorrows, in the hope that, having adopted the young merchant for my son, I should make over to him by a deed of gift, all my wealth and property,