So, when the young couple arrived, the king received them with all
state, and gave his son-in-law a province to govern. Nur Mahomed soon
proved himself as able and honourable a governor as he was a brave
soldier; and, when the old king died, he became king in his place, and
reigned long and happily.
Nur Mahomed’s old mother lived for a long time in her “son’s” palace,
and died in peace. The princess, his wife, although she had got her
husband by a trick, found that she could not trick HIM, and so she
never tried, but busied herself in teaching her children and scolding
her maids. As for the old hermit, no trace of him was ever discovered;
but the cave is there, and the leaves lie thick in front of it unto
this day.
[Told the writer by an Indian.]
Story of Wali Dâd the Simple-Hearted
Once upon a time there lived a poor old man whose name was Wali Dâd
Gunjay, or Wali Dâd the Bald. He had no relations, but lived all by
himself in a little mud hut some distance from any town, and made his
living by cutting grass in the jungle, and selling it as fodder for
horses. He only earned by this five halfpence a day; but he was a
simple old man, and needed so little out of it, that he saved up one
halfpenny daily, and spent the rest upon such food and clothing as he
required.
In this way he lived for many years until, one night, he thought that
he would count the money he had hidden away in the great earthen pot
under the floor of his hut. So he set to work, and with much trouble he
pulled the bag out on to the floor, and sat gazing in astonishment at
the heap of coins which tumbled out of it. What should he do with them
all? he wondered. But he never thought of spending the money on
himself, because he was content to pass the rest of his days as he had
been doing for ever so long, and he really had no desire for any
greater comfort or luxury.
At last he threw all the money into an old sack, which he pushed under
his bead, and then, rolled in his ragged old blanket, he went off to
sleep.
Early next morning he staggered off with his sack of money to the shop
of a jeweller, whom he knew in the town, and bargained with him for a
beautiful little gold bracelet. With this carefully wrapped up in his
cotton waistband he went to the house of a rich friend, who was a
travelling merchant, and used to wander about with his camels and
merchandise through many countries. Wali Dâd was lucky enough to find
him at home, so he sat down, and after a little talk he asked the
merchant who was the most virtuous and beautiful lady he had ever met
with. The merchant replied that the princess of Khaistan was renowned
everywhere as well for the beauty of her person as for the kindness and
generosity of her disposition.
“Then,” said Wali Dâd, “next time you go that way, give her this little
bracelet, with the respectful compliments of one who admires virtue far
more than he desires wealth.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account