Now the uncle’s son of the king of the city had aforetime disputed [the kingship] with him, and the people misliked the king; but God the Most High decreed that he should get the better of his cousin.  However, jealousy of him abode in his heart and he acquainted the vizier, who hid it not and sent [him] money.  Moreover, he fell to summoning [all strangers who came to the town], man after man, and questioning them of their faith and their worldly estate, and whoso answered him not [to his liking], he took his good.[FN#231] Now a certain wealthy man of the Muslims was on a journey and it befell that he arrived at that city by night, unknowing what was to do, and coming to the ruin aforesaid, gave the old woman money and said to her, ’No harm upon thee.’  Whereupon she lifted up her voice and prayed [for him], He set down his merchandise by her [and abode with her] the rest of the night and the next day.

Now thieves had followed him, so they might rob him of his good, but availed not unto aught; wherefore he went up to the old woman and kissed her head and exceeded in munificence to her.  Then she [warned him of that which awaited strangers entering the town and] said to him, ’I like not this for thee and I fear mischief for thee from these questions that the vizier hath appointed for the confrontation of the ignorant.’  And she expounded to him the case according to its fashion.  Then said she to him, ’But have no concern:  only carry me with thee to thy lodging, and if he question thee of aught, whilst I am with thee, I will expound the answers to thee.’  Se he carried her with him to the city and established her in his lodging and entreated her kindly.

Presently, the vizier heard of the merchant’s coming; so he sent to him and let bring him to his house and talked with him awhile of his travels and of that which he had abidden therein, and the merchant answered him thereof.  Then said the vizier, ’I will put certain questions to thee, which if thou answer me, it will be well [for thee].’  And the merchant rose and made him no answer.  Quoth the vizier, ‘What is the weight of the elephant?’ The merchant was perplexed and returned him no answer and gave himself up for lost.  Then said he, ‘Grant me three days’ time.’  So the vizier granted him the delay he sought and he returned to his lodging and related what had passed to the old woman, who said, ’When the morrow cometh, go to the vizier and say to him, “Make a ship and launch it on the sea and put in it an elephant, and when it sinketh in the water, [under the beast’s weight], mark the place to which the water riseth.  Then take out the elephant and cast in stones in its place, till the ship sink to the mark aforesaid; whereupon do thou take out the stones and weigh them and thou wilt know the weight of the elephant"’