Story 15

  Hatim Tai, having been asked whether he had seen in the world anyone

of more exalted sentiments than himself, replied: 'Yes, one day I

slaughtered forty camels to entertain Arab amirs. I had occasion to go

out on some business into a corner of the desert, where I noticed a

gatherer of briars, who had accumulated a hillock of thistles, and I

asked him why he had not become a guest of Hatim since many people had

come round to his banquet but he replied:

        "Who eats bread by the work of his own hand

        Will not bear to be obliged to Hatim Tai."

  Then I saw that his sentiments were more exalted than mine.'