They tell that whilome there was a Fisherman, a poor man with a wife and family, who every day was wont to take his net and go down to the river a-fishing for his daily bread which is distributed. Then he would sell a portion of his catch and buy victual and the rest he would carry to his wife and children that they might eat. One day of the many days he said to his son who was growing up to a biggish lad, "O my child, come forth with me this morning, haply All-Mighty Allah may send us somewhat of livelihood by thy footsteps;" and the other answered, "'Tis well, O my father." Hereupon the Fisherman took his son and his net and they twain went off together till they arrived at the river-bank, when quoth the father, "O my boy I will throw the net upon the luck of thee." Then he went forward to the water and standing thereby took his net and unfokled it so that it spread when entering the stream, and after waiting an hour or so he drew it in and found it heavy of weight; so he cried, "O my son, bear a hand" and the youth came up and lent him aidance in drawing it in. And when they had haled it to shore they opened it and found a fish of large size and glittering with all manner of colours. Quoth the father, "O my son, by Allah, this fish befitteth not any but the Caliph; do thou therefore abide with it till I go and fetch a charger wherein to carry it as an offering for the Prince of True Believers." The youth took his seat by the fish and when his father was afar off he went up to her and said, "Doubtless thou hast children and the byword saith, Do good and cast it upon the waters." Then he took up the fish and setting her near the river besprinkled[FN#375] her and said, "Go thou to thy children, this is even better than being eaten by the Caliph." But having thrown the fish into the stream, his fear of his father grew strong upon him, so he arose and without stay or delay fled his village; and he ceased not flying till he reached the Land of Al-Irák whose capital was under a King wide of dominions (and praise be to the King of all kingdoms!). So he entered the streets and presently he met a baker-man who said to him, "O my son, wilt thou serve?" whereto he replied, "I will serve, O uncle." The man settled with him for a wage of two silver nusfs a day together with his meat and his drink, and he remained working with him for a while of time. Now one day of the days behold, he saw a lad of the sons of that city carrying about a cock with the intention of vending it, when he was met by a Jew who said to him, "O my child, wilt thou sell this fowl?" and the other said, "I will." Quoth the Jew, "For ten faddahs?" and quoth the youth, "Allah openeth!" Said the other, "For twenty faddahs?" and the lad, "Allah veileth!"[FN#376] Then the Jew fell to increasing his offer for the cock until he reached a full dinar.?And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and fell silent and ceased to say her permitted say. Then quoth her sister Dunyazad, "How sweet