to think that I, who never in my born days had sighted a golden coin, should tell how I had gotten so many Ashrafis, and how a kite had flown away with them.  My wife, however, gave full credence to my tale and wept and beat her breast for sorrow.  Thus six months passed over us, when it chanced one day that the two friends, to wit, Sa’di and Sa’d, came to my quarter of the town, when quoth Sa’d to Sa’di, “Lo, yonder is the street where dwelleth Hasan al-Habbal.  Come let us go and see how he hath added to his stock and how far he hath prospered by means of the two hundred Ashrafis thou gavest him.”  Sa’di rejoined, ’Tis well said; indeed, we have not seen him for many days:  I would fain visit him and I should rejoice to hear that he hath prospered.”  So the twain walked along towards my house, Sa’d saying to Sa’di, “Forsooth I perceive that he appeareth the same in semblance, poor and ill-conditioned as before; he weareth old and tattered garments, save that his turband seemeth somewhat newer and cleaner.  Look well and judge thyself and ’tis even as I said.”  Thereupon Sa’di came up closer to me and he also understood that my condition was unaltered; and presently the two friends addressed me.  After the usual salutetion Sa’d asked, O Hasan, how fareth it with thee, and how goeth it with thy business and have the two hundred Ashrafis stood thee in good stead and amended thy trade?” To this answered I, “O my lords, how can I tell you of the sad mishap that hath befallen me?  I dare not speak for very shame, yet cannot I keep the adventure concealed.  Verily a marvellous matter and a wondrous hath happened to me, the tale whereof will fill you with wonderment and suspicion, for I wot full well that ye will not believe it, and that I shall be to you as one that dealeth in lies; withal needs must I tell you the whole however unwillingly.”  Hereat I recounted to them every whit that had betided me first and last, especially that which had befallen me from the kite; but Sa’di misdoubted me and mistrusted me and cried, “O Hasan, thou speakest but in jest and dost dissemble with us.  ’Tis hard to believe the tale thou tellest.  Kites are not wont to fly off with turbands, but only with such things as they can eat.  Thou wouldst but outwit us and thou art of those who, when some good fortune cometh to them unforeseen, do straightways abandon their work or their business and, wasting all in pleasuring, become once more poor and thereafter must nilly-willy eke out a living as best they may.  This methinks be especially the case with thee; thou hast squandered our gift with all speed and now art needy as before.”  “O good my lord, not so,” cried I; “this blame and these hard words ill befit my deserts, for I am wholly innocent of all thou imputest to me.  The strange mishap whereof I told thee is the truest of truths; and to prove that it is no lie all the town-folk have knowledge thereof and in good sooth I do not play thee false.  ’Tis certain that kites do not fly away with