While the famine in that country lasted, Abdallah established a tavern, where everybody could get a meal without money and without price. The marvellous sack was always ready to carry out the will of its master, and it was always ready to furnish the most savory dishes and the most exquisite wines, and this went on as long as the famine lasted. When the famine had subsided, Abdallah would not give any more, fearing that he would encourage the unworthy and thus render very indifferent service to the country. Abdallah ought to have been happy, but he was not. He had such a good and tender heart that he easily forgot and forgave all the injury that had been done him, and he was sad because he did not see around him all the wicked brothers who had forsaken him on the way. He called their names daily and commanded them to jump in his sack. Each time, however, he found in his sack only a pile of bones. His brothers were surely dead, and when Abdallah came to understand this fact, he shed bitter tears. In his turn, Abdallah's father died, and Abdallah himself grew very old. When he felt that his end was approaching he drew a sigh of relief, nevertheless he did not want to die without seeing the good fairy who had been his benefactor. Feeling thus, Abdallah started on a journey, trembling with emotion, and it was not long before he reached the spot where he had met the gracious fairy. He seated himself on a stone and waited for the good fairy to appear; but she came not. He continued to wait, and, after a time, Death came along the road. "I am hunting for you," said the grim traveller. "Not for me, surely," said Abdallah. "Yes, for you," said the other. "I am waiting here for a friend," said Abdallah. "Do I seem to be an enemy?" asked Death. "No, no," cried Abdallah, "you are welcome, but I want an opportunity to greet my benefactor. I cannot go with you." But Death fixed his eyes on Abdallah, smiled a little, and said: "Jump in my sack!" X A SEARCH FOR A FRIEND A rich merchant of Bagdad had a son that he loved most tenderly. The child had been reared with the utmost care, and no pains were spared to cultivate his mind as well as his affections. When the young man's education was almost completed his father determined that he should travel in foreign parts. "My son," said the old man, "I have gray hairs and a white beard, and in my long career it has been given to me to know and appreciate the real value of men and things. You must learn, then, my son, that among the pressing necessities of life the greatest of all is a good friend. Riches take wings—a touch of providence, a turn of the wheel of fortune, throws the richest into the depths of despair; but death alone, which carries all off, can take away a friend.