Story 

  A king was subject to a terrible disease, the mention of which is

not sanctioned by custom. The tribe of Yunani physicians agreed that

this pain cannot be allayed except by means of the bile of a person

endued with certain qualities. Orders having been issued to search for

an individual of this kind, the son of a landholder was discovered

to possess the qualities mentioned by the doctors. The king summoned

the father and mother of the boy whose consent he obtained by giving

them immense wealth. The qazi issued a judicial decree that it is

permissible to shed the blood of one subject for the safety of the

king and the executioner was ready to slay the boy who then looked

heavenwards and smiled. The king asked: 'What occasion for laughter is

there in such a position?' The youth replied: 'A son looks to the

affection of his father and mother to bring his case before the qazi

and to ask justice from the padshah. In the present instance, however,

the father and mother have for the trash of this world surrendered

my blood, the qazi has issued a decree to kill me, the sultan thinks

he will recover his health only through my destruction and I see no

other refuge besides God the most high.'

        To whom shall I complain against thy hand

        If I am to seek justice also from thy hand?

  The sultan became troubled at these words, tears rushed to his

eyes and he said: 'It is better for me to perish than to shed innocent

blood.' He kissed the head and eyes of the youth, presented him with

boundless wealth and it is said that the king also recovered his

health during that week.

        I also remember the distich recited

        By the elephant-driver on the bank of the Nile:

        'If thou knewest the state of the ant under thy foot

        It is like thy own condition under the foot of an elephant.'