Story 21

  It is related that a sultan thus addressed a miserly beggar who

had accumulated great riches: 'It is evident that thou possessest

boundless wealth and we have an affair on hand in which thou canst aid

us by way of a loan. When the finances of the country are in a

flourishing condition it will be repaid.' The miser replied: 'It is

not befitting the power and dignity of a padshah to soil the hands

of his noble aspirations with the property of an individual like

myself who has collected it grain by grain.' The king replied: 'It

does not matter because the money will be spent upon infidels: The

wicked women should be joined to the wicked men."

        If the water of a Christian's well is impure

        What matters it if thou washest a dead Jew therein?

        They said: 'The lime-mortar is not clean.'

        We replied: 'We shall plug therewith the privy holes."

  I heard that he refused to comply with the behest of the king, began

to argue and to look insolently; whereon the king ordered the sum in

question to be released from his grasp by force and with a reprimand.

        If an affair cannot be accomplished with gentleness

        He forsooth turns his head to impudence.

        Who has no regard for himself

        It is proper that no one should pay him any.