Story 

  I heard about a wealthy man who was as well known for his avarice as

Hatim Tai for his liberality. Outwardly he displayed the appearance of

wealth but inwardly his sordid nature was so dominant that he would

not for his life give a morsel of bread to anyone or bestow a scrap

upon the kitten of Abu Harirah or throw a bone to the dog of the

companions of the cave. In short, no one had seen the door of his

house open or his table-doth spread.

      The dervish got nothing of his food except the smell.

      The fowl picked up the crumbs after his bread-dinner.

  I heard that he was sailing in the Mediterranean with the pride of

Pharaoh in his head-according to the words of the most high, Until

drowning overtook him-when all of a sudden a contrary wind befell

the ship, as it is said:

  What can thy heart do to thy distressed nature for the wind is

    not fair?

  It is not at all times suitable for a ship.

  He uplifted the hands of supplication and began to lament in vain

but Allah the most high has commanded: When they sail in a ship they

call upon Allah, sincerely exhibiting unto him their religion.

  Of what use is the hand of supplication to a needy worshipper

  Which is uplifted to God in the time of prayer but in the armpit

    in the time of bounty?

        Bestow comfort with gold and with silver

        And thereby also profit thyself.

        As this house of thine will remain,

        Build it with a silver and a gold brick.

  It is narrated that he had poor relations in Egypt who became rich

by the remainder of his wealth, tearing up their old cloths and

cutting new ones of silk and of Damiari. During the same week I also

beheld one of them riding a fleet horse with a fairy-faced slave boy

at his heels. I said:

      'Wah! If the dead man were to return

      Among his kinsfolk and connections

      The refunding of the inheritance would be more painful

      To the heirs than the death of their relative.'

  On account of the acquaintance which had formerly subsisted

between us, I pulled his sleeve, and said:

        'Eat thou, O virtuous and good man,

        What that mean fellow gathered and did not eat.'