The wife waited till night, when she brought away the pot of gold, which her foolish husband observing, he said, “It is dishonest to rob one who has paid us so punctually; and if thou dost not return it to its place, I will inform the wali” (governor of the city).  She laughed at his simplicity, but fearing that he would execute his threat, she planned a stratagem to render it of no avail.  Going to market, she purchased some meat and fish ready cooked, which she brought privately home, and concealed in the house.  At night, while her husband was sleeping off the effects of his favourite narcotic, she strewed the provisions she had brought outside the door, and then awakening him, cried out, “Dear husband, a most wonderful thing has occurred:  there has been a violent storm while you slept, and, strange to tell, it has rained pieces of broiled meat and fish, which now lie at the door!” The blockhead got up, and seeing the food, was persuaded of the truth of his wife’s story.  The flesh and fish were gathered up, and he partook with much glee of the miraculous treat, but still said he would tell the wali of her having stolen the treasure of the honest old woman.

In the morning he actually repaired to the wali, and informed him that his wife had stolen a pot of gold, which she had still in her possession.  Upon this the wali had the woman apprehended.  She denied the accusation, and was then threatened with death.  “My lord,” said she, “the power is in your hands; but I am an injured woman, as you will find by questioning my husband, who is deranged in his intellect.  Ask him when I committed the theft.”  The wali did so, and the simpleton answered, “It was the evening of that night when it rained broiled fish and ready-cooked flesh.”  On hearing this, “Wretch!” exclaimed the wali in a fury, “dost thou dare to utter falsehoods before me?  Who ever saw it rain anything but water?” “As I hope for life,” replied the fool, “I speak the truth; for my wife and myself ate of the fish and flesh which fell from the clouds.”  The woman, being appealed to, denied the assertion of her husband.  The wali, now convinced that the man was crazy, released the woman, and sent her husband to the madhouse, where he remained for some days, till his wife, pitying his condition, contrived to get him set at liberty.  She visited her husband, and counselled him, should any one ask him if he had seen it rain fish and flesh, to answer, “No; who ever saw it rain anything but water?” Then she informed the keeper that he was come to his senses, and suggested he should question him; and on the poor fellow answering properly he was released.

* * * * *