Page:Tales from the Arabic, Vol 1.djvu/308

283 his disciples what he had seen. Quoth one of them, ‘O Spirit of God, nought resembleth this but my own story.’ ‘How so?’ asked Jesus, and the other said, THE DISCIPLE’S STORY.

‘I was aforetime in such a city and hid a thousand dirhems in a monastery there. After awhile, I went thither and taking the money, bound it about my middle. [Then I set out to return] and when I came to the desert, the carrying of the money was burdensome to me. Presently, I espied a horseman pricking after me; so I [waited till he came up and] said to him, “O horseman, carry this money [for me] and earn reward and recompense [from God].” “Nay,” answered he; “I will not do it, for I should weary myself and weary my horse.” Then he went on, but, before he had gone far, he said in himself, “If I take up the money and spur my horse and forego him, how shall he overtake me?” And I also said in myself, “Verily, I erred [in asking him to carry the money]; for, had he taken it and made off, I could have done nought.” Then he turned back to me and said to me, “Hand over the money, that I may carry it for thee.” But I answered him, saying, “That which hath occurred to thy mind hath occurred to mine also; so go in peace.”’ Quoth Jesus (on whom be peace!), ‘Had these dealt prudently, they had taken thought for themselves; but they neglected the issues of events; for that whoso acteth