the wings.  Now every day we three fared forth to service and at eventide we forgathered and took what sufficed us of sustenance; but our semblance had changed with the travails of travel and all who looked at us would say, These be lads.  In this plight we passed the space of a year full-told till, one day of the days, we three fared forth to our chares, as was our wont, and behold, a young man met us upon the way and turning to me asked, “O lad, wilt thou serve in my house?” Quoth I, “O my uncle,[FN#159] I must ask advice,” and quoth he, “O my lad, crave counsel of thy mother and come and serve in our home.”  He then looked at my sisters and enquired, “Be these thy comrades, O lad?” and I replied “No, they are my brothers.”  So we three went to our mother in the Khan and said to her, “This young man wisheth to hire the youngest of us for service,” and said she, “No harm in that.”  Thereupon the youth arose and taking me by the hand guided me to his home and led me in to his mother and his wife, and when the ancient dame saw me, her heart was opened to me.  Presently quoth the young man to his parent, “I have brought the lad to serve in our house and he hath two brothers and his mother dwelling with them.”  Quoth she, “May it be fortunate to thee, O my son."[FN#160] So I tarried there serving them till sunset and when the evening-meal was eaten, they gave me a dish of meat and three large bannocks of clean bread.  These I took and carried to my mother whom I found sitting with my sisters and I set before them the meat and bread; but when my parent saw this she wept with sore weeping and cried, “Time hath overlooked us; erst we gave food to the folk and now the folk send us food.”  And cried I, “Marvel not at the works of the Creator; for verily Allah hath ordered for us this and for others that and the world endureth not for any one;” and I ceased not soothing my mother’s heart till it waxed clear of trouble and we ate and praised Almighty Allah.  Now every day I went forth to serve at the young man’s house and at eventide bore to my mother and sisters their sufficiency of food for supper,[FN#161] breakfast and dinner; and when the youth brought eatables of any kind for me I would distribute it to the family.  And he looked well after our wants and at times he would supply clothing for me and for the youths, my sisters, and for my parent; so that all hearts in our lodgings were full of affection for him.  At last his mother said, “What need is there for the lad to go forth from us every eventide and pass the night with his people?  Let him lie in our home and every day about afternoon-time carry the evening meal to his mother and brothers and then return to us and keep me company.”  I replied, “O my lady, let me consult my mother, to whom I will fare forthright and acquaint her herewith.”  But my parent objected saying, “O my daughter, we fear lest thou be discovered, and they find thee out to be a girl.”  I replied, “Our Lord will veil our secret;” and she rejoined, “Then