Page:Tales from the Gulistan (1928).pdf/137

Stories LXXXIV and LXXXV

old man in Baghdad gave his daughter to a cobbler; the cruel little man so bit her than blood flowed from the daughter's lips. Next morning the father saw her thus, and going to the bridegroom asked him: "O mean wretch! What teeth are these? Chewest thou thus her lips? They are not leather. I do not say these words in jest; leave joking off, and enjoy her seriously. If ill-humour becomes fixed in a nature, it will not leave it till the time of death."

had a very ugly daughter, and when she attained puberty no one was inclined to marry her, in spite of her dowry and wealth. Bad is the brocade and damask cloth which is upon an ugly bride.

At last it became necessary to marry her to a blind man, and it is related that on the said occasion a physician arrived from Serandip who was able to restore sight to the blind. The Faqih, being asked why he had not put his son-in-law under treatment, replied: "I fear that if he is able to see he will divorce my daughter."

It is better if the husband of an ugly woman is blind.