“I will climb it,” said the Khoja.  Thereupon he kicked off his slippers as the children had anticipated; and tucking his skirts into his girdle, he prepared to climb.

[Illustration:  THE KHOJA’S SLIPPERS.]

But whilst they were waiting to steal his slippers, the Khoja put them into his pocket.

“Effendi Khoja,” said the children, “wherefore do you not leave your slippers on the ground?  What will you do with slippers up in the mulberry-tree?”

“O my children!” said the Khoja dryly, “it is good to be provided against everything.  I may come upon a road further up.”

Tale 4.—­The Khoja and the Three Wise Men.

In the days of Effendi Nasr-ed-Deen Khoja there appeared in the world three Sages, who excelled in every science and in all wisdom.

Now it came to pass that in their journeys these wise men passed through the country of the Sultan Ala-ed-Deen, who desired to see them, and to make them partake of his hospitality.

And when the Sultan had seen and heard them, he said:  “O Sages, there is indeed nothing wanting to you but that you should embrace the faith and become Turks, and remain in my kingdom.  Wherefore I beseech of you to do this without further delay.”

Then the wise men replied to the Padisha:  “We will, if it please you, ask three questions of your learned men.  One question shall be asked by each of us, and if they are able to answer these questions, we will embrace your faith, and remain with you as you desire.  And if not, we will depart in peace, and prolong our journeys as heretofore.”

Then the Padisha replied:  “So be it.”  And he assembled the learned men and counsellors of his kingdom, and the Sages put questions to them, which they could not answer.

Then the Sultan Ala-ed-Deen was full of wrath, and he said, “Is this my kingdom, and am I the ruler of it; and is there not indeed one man of my subjects wise enough to answer the questions of these unbelieving Sages?”

And his servants replied:  “There is indeed no one who could answer these questions, except it be Khoja Nasr-ed-Deen Effendi.”

Then the Sultan commanded, and they despatched a Tatar in all haste to summon Nasr-ed-Deen Effendi to the presence of the Padisha.

When the messenger arrived, he told his errand to the Khoja, who at once rose up, saddled his donkey, took a stick in his hand, and mounted, saying to the Tatar, “Go before me!”

Thus they came to the palace, and the Khoja entered the presence of the Sultan, and gave the salaam and received it in return.  Then he was shown where to sit, and being seated, and having made a prayer for the Padisha, “O most noble Sultan,” said he, “wherefore have you brought me hither, and what is your will with me?”

Then the Sultan explained the circumstances of the case, and the Khoja cried, “What are the questions?  Let me hear them.”