So the vizier returned to the king and said to him, “Verily, this youth hath merited grievous punishment, after abundance of bounty [bestowed on him], and it may not be that a bitter kernel should ever become sweet; but, as for the woman, I am certified that there is no fault in her.”  Then he repeated to the king the story which he had taught the queen, which when Azadbekht heard, he rent his clothes and bade fetch the youth.  So they brought him and stationed him before the king, who let bring the headsman, and the folk all fixed their eyes upon the youth, so they might see what the king should do with him.

Then said Azadbekht to him (and indeed his words were [prompted] by anger and those of the youth by presence of mind and good breeding), “I bought thee with my money and looked for fidelity from thee, wherefore I chose thee over all my grandees and servants and made thee keeper of my treasuries.  Why, then, hast thou outraged my honour and entered my house and played the traitor with me and tookest no thought unto that which I have done thee of benefits?” “O king,” answered the youth, “I did this not of my choice and freewill and I had no [evil] intent in being there; but, of the littleness of my luck, I was driven thither, for that fate was contrary and fair fortune lacking.  Indeed, I had striven with all endeavour that nought of foul should proceed from me and kept watch over myself, lest default appear in me; but none may avail to make head against ill fortune, nor doth endeavour profit in case of lack of luck, as appeareth by the example of the merchant who was stricken with ill luck and his endeavour profited him not and he succumbed to the badness of his fortune.”  “What is the story of the merchant,” asked the king, “and how was his luck changed upon him by the sorriness of his fortune?” “May God prolong the king’s continuance!” answered the youth.

Story of the Unlucky Merchant.

“There was once a man, a merchant, who was fortunate in trade, and at one time his [every] dirhem profited [him] fifty.  Presently, his luck turned against him and he knew it not; so he said in himself, ’I have wealth galore, yet do I weary myself and go round about from country to country; I were better abide in my own country and rest myself in my house from this travail and affliction and sell and buy at home.’  Then he made two parts of his money, with one whereof he bought wheat in summer, saying, ‘When the winter cometh, I will sell it at a great profit.’  But, when the winter came, wheat became at half the price for which he had bought it, whereat he was sore concerned and left it till the next year.  However, next year, the price fell yet lower and one of his friends said to him, ’Thou hast no luck in this wheat; so do thou sell it at whatsoever price.’  Quoth the merchant, ’This long while have I profited and it is allowable that I lose this time.  God is all- knowing!  If it abide [with me] half a score years, I will not sell it save at a profit.’