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24 that the child throve so remarkably. At the age of fifteen months he could already speak fluently, and, being very inquisitive, put the following shrewd questions to his parent: “Mother, who is my Lord?” She answered, “I am.” “And who is thy Lord?” “Thy father.” “And who is my father’s Lord?” ‘“‘Nimrid.” “And who is Nimriid’s Lord?” “Hush!” said the mother, striking the child on its mouth. She was, however, so delighted that she could no longer keep the child’s existence hid from Azar. The wazir came and was conducted to the cavern. He asked Ibrahim whether he really was his son. The infant Patriarch answered in the affirmative, and then propounded to his father the same series of questions that he put to his mother, and with the same result.

One evening Ibrahim begged his mother to allow him to go out of the cave. His request being granted, he marvelled greatly at the wonders of creation, and made the following remarkable declaration. “He that created me, gave me all things needful, fed me, and gave me drink, shall be my Lord, and none but He.” Then, looking skywards, he perceived a bright star, for it was evening, and he said, “Surely this is my Lord!” But the star, as he watched it closely, sank to westward and disappeared, and Ibrahim said, “I love not things that change. This could not have been my Lord.” In the meantime the full moon had risen and was shedding her mild beams on all around, and the child said, “Surely this is my Lord!” and he watched her all through the night. Then the moon also set, and,