Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/140

Rh Christians—to talk over his affairs with him. And as they journeyed they passed through the ruins of a large town which had fallen into decay during his reign. There was no living creature to be found therein excepting owls. And one of the owls was screeching, and his mate was answering him from amidst the ruins.

Then Bahrâm asked his companion, "Hast thou ever known amongst men one who understood the language of this bird which screams through the darkness of the night?"

The Maubadz answered, "I, O King! am of those whom God has thus endowed."

"Then tell me," said Bahrâm, "what each of these birds is saying."

"This male owl," said the Maubadz, "is courting the hen bird, and he has said to her, 'Mate with me that we may bring up children who will praise God, and that there may remain of us in this world a posterity to invoke abundant blessings upon us.' And the hen owl has answered, 'In this which you demand there is great happiness and good fortune for me, both in this present life and in the future. But I must impose one condition upon you; if you accept it,