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“What is this, Khoja?” cried the people, “and what do you mean by offering food to a fur pelisse that can neither hear nor eat?”

“O most courteous entertainers!” replied the Khoja, “since the pelisse has commanded such respect at your hands, is it not proper that it should also partake of the food?”

Tale 3.–The Khoja’s Slippers.

One day, when the idle boys of the neighbourhood were gathered together and ready for mischief, they perceived the Khoja approaching.

“Here comes this mad Khoja!” they said. “Let us now persuade him to climb the largest of these mulberry-trees, and whilst he is climbing we will steal his slippers.”

And when the Khoja drew near, they cried, “O Khoja, here is indeed a tree which it is not possible to climb.”

The Khoja looked at the mulberry-tree and said, “You are in error, my children, any one of you could climb that tree.”

But they said, “We cannot.”

Then said the Khoja, “I, who am an old man, could climb that mulberry-tree.”

Then the boys cried, “O most illustrious Khoja! we beseech of you to climb the tree before our eyes, that we may believe what you say, and also be encouraged to try ourselves.”

“I will climb it,” said the Khoja. Thereupon he kicked off his slippers as the children had anticipated; and tucking his skirts into his girdle, he prepared to climb.

Tale 44.–The Khoja’s Left Leg.

During one very hot season there was a scarcity of water in the city.

One day, the Khoja was performing his religious ablutions: he washed himself all over with the exception of his left leg, but before that could be washed the water was all used up.

When the Khoja began to recite the customary prayers he stood on one leg like a goose.

“O Khoja Effendi!” cried the people, “why do you pray standing on your right leg?”

“I could not pray on my left leg,” said the Khoja; “it has not performed the appointed ablutions.”

Tale 45.–“Figs Would Be More Acceptable.”

Nasr-ed-Deen Effendi had some plums, of which he resolved to make a present to the Bey. He therefore took three of them, and putting them on a fine tray, he carried them into the royal presence, and duly offered them for the Bey’s acceptance.

Being in a good humour, the Bey took the present in good part, and gave the Khoja several pence in return.

After some days the Khoja thought he would take something else to the Bey, and having some fine large beetroots, he set off as before.

On his way to the palace he met a man, who saluted him.

“What are you doing with all those beetroots?” said he.

“I am about to present them to the Bey,” replied the Khoja.

“Figs would be more acceptable, I should think,” said the man.

The Khoja pursued his journey, but as he went the man’s words troubled him–“Figs would be more acceptable.”

At last he perceived a fig-tree by the roadside, so, throwing away all the beetroots, he put two or three figs in their place, and having arrived at the palace, he presented them to the Bey.

But this time the Bey was not in a good humour.

“What madman is this,” he cried, “who mocks me by the gift of a few worthless figs? Throw them at his head and drive him away!”

So they pelted the Khoja with his figs, and drove him out. But as he ran, instead of cursing his ill luck, the Khoja gave thanks for his good fortune.

“This is indeed madness,” cried the servants of the Bey; “for what, O Khoja, do you return thanks, after this ignominious treatment?”

“O ignorant time-servers,” replied the Khoja, “I have good reason to give thanks. For I was bringing beetroots to the Bey–large beetroots, and many of them–and I met a man who persuaded me, saying, “Figs would be more acceptable,” so I brought figs; and you have cast them at my head. But there were few of them, and they are soft, and I am none the worse. If, however, I had not by good luck thrown away the beetroots, which are hard, my skull would certainly have been cracked.”