Page:Tales from the Arabic, Vol 1.djvu/266

241 sale.’ The cook marvelled at this and bought the king for ten thousand dirhems, after questioning him of what he could do. Then he paid down the money and carried him to his house, but dared not employ him in aught of service; so he appointed him an allowance, such as should suffice for his livelihood, and repented him of having bought him, saying, ‘What shall I do with the like of this fellow?’

Presently, the king [of the city] was minded to go forth to his garden, a-pleasuring, and bade the cook forego him thither and appoint in his stead one who should dress meat for the king, so that, when he returned, he might find it ready. So the cook fell a-considering of whom he should appoint and was bewildered concerning his affair. As he was on this wise, the old man came to him and seeing him perplexed how he should do, said to him, ‘Tell me what is in thy mind; belike, I may avail to relieve thee.’ So he acquainted him with the king’s wishes and he said, ‘Have no care for this, but leave me one of the serving-men and go thou in peace and surety, for I will suffice thee of this.’ So the cook departed with the king, after he had brought the old man what he needed and left him a man of the guards.

When he was gone, the old man bade the trooper wash the kitchen-vessels and made ready passing goodly food. When the king returned, he set the meat before him, and he tasted food whose like he had never known; whereat he marvelled and asked who had dressed it. So they acquainted him with the old man’s case and he summoned

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