Part 5

This advice was followed by the brothers. The little cripple was deserted by the way-side, and the other brothers continued on their way, begging from every one they met. In this way they went on until they came to a settlement of poor fishermen, where it was difficult to find a lodging-place. Fortunately for them the night was beautiful, the moon shone brilliantly in the sky, and a soft breeze tempered the heat that had filled the atmosphere during the day.

Overcome with fatigue the eleven brothers stretched themselves out at the foot of a tree, and they were soon sound asleep. After a while the dawn made its appearance, the brothers awoke, and the eldest said:

"For days and weeks we have been travelling without meeting with the good fortune we had hoped for. Let us leave this country for good and all. Only a strip of water lies between us and a land of plenty."

The unfortunate brothers soon saw an empty sloop. They took possession of it, and at once began to drift out to sea. It was an unfortunate voyage. All the hopes of the brothers were deceptive. Their cruelty to their crippled brother Abdallah was to be severely punished. A frightful tempest arose, and the sea overwhelmed them; the sloop was wrecked and the cruel brothers found their graves in the cold and creeping waters.

Meanwhile what had become of Abdallah, the poor cripple whom the brothers had deserted? Overwhelmed with sorrow and fatigue, he had fallen asleep where he had been abandoned. Fortunately for him a good fairy, who had seen all, took pity on him, and while he lay asleep she cured his crippled leg; and then, disguising herself as a poor beggar, the fairy sat on a stone by the roadside. Abdallah soon opened his eyes, his heart filled with sadness. He arose for the purpose of continuing his painful journey, but what was his astonishment to find that he could walk without any trouble whatever. He was no longer a cripple. He felt of himself, and ran and jumped to convince himself that he was not dreaming. He laughed and cried at the same time, and was filled with happiness and joy.

All of a sudden he saw an old woman by the roadside who looked at him smilingly.

"Do you know, madam," he cried, "if a great physician has passed this way?"

"And why, my friend?" inquired the old woman.

"It is because that, during my sleep, he has rendered me the greatest of services. He has cured my leg that was too short, and I want to thank him for his kindness."

"Well, well," said the old woman, "the physician is myself. I gathered a few herbs that I alone know, and it was easy to perform the miracle that makes you so happy."

Abdallah could not restrain his transports. He fell on the old woman's neck and embraced her, and then, to prove his gratitude, he asked her:

"My good woman, what can I do for you? I am young, but, as for you, age has already begun to bear heavily on you. Command, and I will obey you in all things."

But imagine Abdallah's surprise when, instead of the old woman, he saw before him the most charming young girl that it is possible to imagine. Her long blond hair floated on her shoulders, and her rich garments fell in gracious folds around her.

Overcome with admiration and respect Abdallah fell on his knees in the dust; but the good fairy said to him:

"Arise! I am happy to see that you are not ungrateful. Make two wishes, and they will be immediately granted, for I am the queen of the fairies."

The young man reflected a moment and said:

"I desire above all things a bag in which everything I want will be found in an instant."

"Your demand is certainly original," said the fairy, smiling. "What can you do with such a sack?"

"A great many things," exclaimed the young man, enthusiastically; "will you grant my request?"

"So be it," said the fairy; "and what is your second wish?"

"A stick that will do my bidding."

"Very well, then," and the fairy disappeared, leaving at Abdallah's feet a sack and a stick.

Overcome and delighted by his good fortune, the young man hastened to test the powers that had been conferred on him by these gifts. As he was feeling very hungry Abdallah said:

"Let a dozen roasted partridges get into my sack," and in an instant he found a dozen well-cooked partridges in his sack.

To eat without drinking was a very unusual thing in that country, so, presently, Abdallah cried out:

"A bottle of wine in my sack!"

Immediately his commands were obeyed. After his meal he felt as light as a bird, and he continued on his journey in good spirits, and the next day he reached the end of it. At the gate of the city he paused to rest and to gaze at the people who were continually passing, when a beggar approached him and said:

"Brother, we are poor; let us unite our misfortunes and live together."

"How do you know that, my friend?" said Abdallah; "I do not solicit alms in order to stay here."

"Your ragged clothes and your bare feet, my brother, tell a very different tale."

"That is true," thought the young man, and he immediately asked his sack to furnish him with two magnificent suits, such as were worn by the noblemen of that country. He gave one to the unfortunate beggar at his side and clad himself in the other, and the two went into the city resplendent with gold and precious stones, so that everyone thought that two rich and powerful noblemen had come into the city.

Soon the name of Abdallah was on everybody's tongue, and the most brilliant people of the city considered it an honor to call themselves his friends.

In that city Abdallah found an Evil Spirit, which presented itself to him one day and said:

"Magnanimous chief, the most respectful of your admirers is here before you."

"What do you desire?" inquired Abdallah.

"I want nothing," said the Evil Spirit, "but your reputation at the games is such that I desired to see you."

"You flatter me a great deal," said Abdallah; "but, really, I cannot play. The game is entirely unknown to me. However," he went on to say, "I desire to make one of your party in the hope that you will teach me something about the games."

The Evil Spirit and Abdallah made no delay in beginning the game, and the latter lost such large sums of money that the Evil Spirit thought that the young man was ruined. Contented with himself and satisfied with the results of his journey, he was making ready to depart, when Abdallah saw the cloven foot that the Evil Spirit had not been able to disguise.

"Ah, ha!" exclaimed Abdallah to himself. "It is with the Evil One I have been playing. So much the better! I will show him that he made a mistake when he addressed himself to me." Satisfied with his discovery, the fortunate possessor of the sack and the wonderful stick was content to wait until the next day.

Faithful to the engagement that had been made, the young man found himself on the morrow face to face with the Evil One. The game began, Abdallah lost many gold pieces, and still he continued to lose. This time the Evil Spirit won so rapidly and so continuously that he believed Abdallah was reduced to misery. Addressing himself to the young man, he exclaimed:

"Illustrious lord, the games of these last two days must have made a considerable hole in your fortunes. Through me, however, you can recover a good part of it; but on one condition only."

"What condition is that?" inquired Abdallah.

"Let us understand each other. Let us become partners, and thus we can win all the money that the other players have."

But Abdallah would not permit the Evil Spirit to conclude his proposition.

"Satan!" cried he, "your elegant disguise has not prevented me from recognizing you, and your cloven foot has betrayed you. The gold you have taken from me is nothing to that which I still possess. Had you won all the money in the world, I would not be less rich. However, the day has arrived when you must expiate all your vile crimes. The hour has struck!"

At these unexpected words the Evil One took on a sinister aspect, and with a frightful laugh he began to mock Abdallah. At this exhibition Abdallah exclaimed:

"Jump into my sack!" and the Old Boy danced into the bag. "Stick! beat on him!" cried the young man, and the stick began to beat on him in fine style, so much so that the Evil One yelled:

"Stop, or I will be dead! Let me out!"

"What a delightful misfortune this would be!" exclaimed Abdallah. "Are you not content with matters as they are?"

There was great rejoicing among the people who were gathered there. At last, after the stick had been beating the Evil One for two hours, Abdallah said:

"Enough! that is sufficient for to-day."

"What!" said the Evil One, "is not that enough? Is the trouble not yet finished? Am I to have my bones broken another time?"

"Another time and always," said Abdallah. "I want you to perish, so that you will not continue to cut up your capers."

There was some further parley between Abdallah and the Evil One, which resulted in returning many unfortunate young people to their homes—young people who had been lost through their passion for gaming. When these unfortunates were restored to their friends, Abdallah permitted the Evil One to leave his sack.

After a little, Abdallah, who was always trying to make people happy, had a great desire to return to his own home, so that he could see whether his father was still unfortunate. On his way thither he met a big boy who was crying at the top of his voice and wringing his hands.

"Well, young man," said Abdallah, "is your profession that of making faces? If so, what do you ask for them by the dozen?"

"I am not in a laughing humor, my good sir," said the other.

"What are you doing, then?" exclaimed Abdallah.

"My father," said the boy, "has fallen from a horse and broken his arm. I ran to the village for a physician, but, knowing that we were poor no one of them would stir themselves in my father's behalf."

"Is that all?" said Abdallah; but the child continued to weep. "Calm yourself," said Abdallah, "your father shall not lack for anything. Tell me the name of the first physician you went after."

"His name," said the boy, "is Abdel-Meddin."

"Observe well," said Abdallah. "Dr. Abdel-Meddin, jump into my sack!" and immediately a man appeared and fell into the wonderful sack. At the order of its master the stick began to beat him.

"Oh," said the boy, "what a beautiful sack you have! Will you give it to me?"

"I cannot," said Abdallah, "but take this purse of gold; it will do you more good."

All this time the doctor in the sack was yelling at the top of his voice, and writhing and moaning. Abdallah stopped the stick, and then said:

"Mr. Physician, take advantage of this opportunity to rub your bruised limbs, for you shall not come out of here until you are mashed into a jelly.

"Mercy," cried the doctor, "what have I done to deserve so terrible a chastisement?"

"Do you dare to ask me?" cried Abdallah. "Do you not recognize this unfortunate child?"

"Have mercy! take pity on me!" cried the physician.

"You did not take pity on others," said Abdallah, "and I shall be inexorable toward you. Beat him, stick!"

The wicked physician howled with pain and fear, until finally Abdallah said:

"Stop, stick!"

"I implore your mercy," cried the physician.

"Will you give me your word to take care of this poor boy's father if I release you?"

"I will do whatever you say," said the unfortunate doctor! "He shall lack for nothing."

"Then come out of the sack," said Abdallah.

The doctor came out, and he was so badly bruised that he could scarcely stand on his feet, but Abdallah made him walk.

Returning to the village, the doctor was so attentive to the poor sick man that there could be no doubt of his recovery, and Abdallah went on his way, anxious to see his father.

After several days of travelling he came to a dense forest, through which he was compelled to pass. Looking closely, he saw a pathway, which was scarcely discernible, and it was bordered on each side by thorns and brambles. This path led to a castle belonging to a terrible and cruel giant. The sun had gone down and night had set in, and Abdallah knocked at the door of the castle.

"Who are you?" said a voice.

"A poor traveller who begs for lodging."

"I receive no one unless it is giants who desire to have a tilt with me. We feast at night, and in the morning I hang them to a tree in the forest."

"Well," said Abdallah, "I will have a tilt with you in the morning. Open the door and let me come in."

"Poor fool," said the giant, "will you dare to contend with me?"

"I will do my best," said Abdallah. "Open the door, I beg you."

"Go away," said the giant, "I do not wish to crush you."

"Oh, Mr. Giant! would you be afraid to-day, and have I the power to make you tremble?"

"Poor creature, your impudence shall have its punishment. Come in! but to-morrow you shall be hanged."

"While I am waiting to balance myself on a limb," said Abdallah, cheerfully, "have my supper prepared. My appetite is large."

The cruel giant smiled at Abdallah's pretensions, and as he was a charming man himself, he took occasion to divert Abdallah. The supper was fine, and the evening was very pleasant. The giant related his exploits. He had fought a lion, and he had vanquished a sea-serpent with seven heads which had attacked him. One day, when an army came to attack him, he had the soldiers hung to the trees that surrounded his castle.

"Great giant," said Abdallah, smiling, "you make me tremble. It would be easy for you to get satisfaction out of a poor unfortunate creature like me."

"Miserable creature!" said the giant, "I warned you before you came into my castle. But eat and drink—above all, drink, for to-morrow shall be your last day."

"Let us drink, Mr. Giant! let us drink, since the night still belongs to me. Here's to your health!"

Overcome with fatigue, Abdallah left the giant and went to sleep, for he stood greatly in need of rest, and in the morning he was still asleep when the giant came to awake him.

"Get up!" the giant exclaimed. "You have lived long enough. Let us cross swords and see who will be the victor."

"It is useless," said Abdallah; "the combat would be too unequal. Let me go, I pray you."

"No," said the giant, severely; "you must die. Come quickly, I am in a hurry."

"Well, then," said Abdallah, "since you insist on it, we will fight, but I regret it, I assure you, for I really do not want to kill you."

"Enough!" exclaimed the giant; "your insolence will soon be punished."

At this the giant raised his great hand with the intention of crushing his opponent, when Abdallah suddenly cried out:

"Jump in my sack!"

The giant made a horrible grimace, and seemed to hesitate, but, at last, with a loud cry, he threw himself into the marvellous sack.

"Stick, do your duty!" exclaimed Abdallah, and the magic stick, in a livelier manner than ever began to whack the cruel giant with great energy.

"Do have mercy!" exclaimed the giant. "Take pity on me!" Abdallah had mercy and the stick stopped.

"What do you think of our contest?" asked Abdallah. "Have you a mind to renew it?"

"You are a terrible sorcerer," said the giant, "and I have never seen one like you."

"Then," said Abdallah, "you are conquered."

"Have it as you will," said the giant. "What can I say to the contrary?"

"You are right," said Abdallah. "Good-by, Mr. Giant. You should be more hospitable another time."

The giant was anxious to accompany Abdallah, and he persisted in going with him until he had passed through the forest. Abdallah continued on his journey, and it was not long before he arrived at home, where he was gratified to embrace his old father.

"My dear father!" he exclaimed, "I am very rich. I am powerful and I come to you."

"My dear child," said the old man, "you deceive yourself, or my eyes have become very weak; for I only see a sack on your back and a stick in your hand."

"No, father," the son cried, "we are rich, very rich. Hereafter we shall enjoy everything in abundance, and since the famine still continues, our neighbors will enjoy our good fortune."

In a few words, Abdallah told his father how he had been abandoned by his brothers; and he told the old man also of the wonderful virtues of his enchanted sack.

"Your kind-heartedness, my son," said the old man, "has had its reward, but let us not, in our prosperity, forget those who are sad and cry because they are hungry."

"Do not trouble yourself, my father. For such as these our table will always be spread, and our doors will never be closed against them."

While the famine in that country lasted, Abdallah established a tavern, where everybody could get a meal without money and without price. The marvellous sack was always ready to carry out the will of its master, and it was always ready to furnish the most savory dishes and the most exquisite wines, and this went on as long as the famine lasted.

When the famine had subsided, Abdallah would not give any more, fearing that he would encourage the unworthy and thus render very indifferent service to the country.

Abdallah ought to have been happy, but he was not. He had such a good and tender heart that he easily forgot and forgave all the injury that had been done him, and he was sad because he did not see around him all the wicked brothers who had forsaken him on the way.

He called their names daily and commanded them to jump in his sack. Each time, however, he found in his sack only a pile of bones. His brothers were surely dead, and when Abdallah came to understand this fact, he shed bitter tears.

In his turn, Abdallah's father died, and Abdallah himself grew very old. When he felt that his end was approaching he drew a sigh of relief, nevertheless he did not want to die without seeing the good fairy who had been his benefactor.

Feeling thus, Abdallah started on a journey, trembling with emotion, and it was not long before he reached the spot where he had met the gracious fairy. He seated himself on a stone and waited for the good fairy to appear; but she came not. He continued to wait, and, after a time, Death came along the road.

"I am hunting for you," said the grim traveller.

"Not for me, surely," said Abdallah.

"Yes, for you," said the other.

"I am waiting here for a friend," said Abdallah.

"Do I seem to be an enemy?" asked Death.

"No, no," cried Abdallah, "you are welcome, but I want an opportunity to greet my benefactor. I cannot go with you."

But Death fixed his eyes on Abdallah, smiled a little, and said:

"Jump in my sack!"

X

A SEARCH FOR A FRIEND

A rich merchant of Bagdad had a son that he loved most tenderly. The child had been reared with the utmost care, and no pains were spared to cultivate his mind as well as his affections. When the young man's education was almost completed his father determined that he should travel in foreign parts.

"My son," said the old man, "I have gray hairs and a white beard, and in my long career it has been given to me to know and appreciate the real value of men and things. You must learn, then, my son, that among the pressing necessities of life the greatest of all is a good friend. Riches take wings—a touch of providence, a turn of the wheel of fortune, throws the richest into the depths of despair; but death alone, which carries all off, can take away a friend.

"A true friend is the only thing in this world that is always faithful. Find this rare pearl, my son, and you will have found the rarest of gems. I want you, then, my son, to travel over the world, travel alone gives the real experience. The more we see of men the better we know how to live among them. The world is a great and a beautiful book, that instructs those who know how to read it. It is a faithful mirror that reflects all the objects we ought to see.

"Go, my son," said the merchant of Bagdad; "take this travelling-stick, and in your journeyings think, above all other things, of the necessity of securing a true friend. In pursuing this object, sacrifice everything else, even what is most rare and most precious."

The young man embraced his father and took his departure. He went to a foreign country and remained there some time, and then he returned to his own country. When he arrived, his father, astonished at his quick return, said:

"I did not expect you so soon."

"You told me to seek a friend," said the young man. "Well, I have returned with fifty who are all that you have described."

"My poor child!" responded the old merchant, "do not speak so flippantly of so sacred a name. A true friend is so rare that he cannot be found in droves, and those who pretend to be such are only so in name. They resemble a summer-cloud that melts beneath the first rays of the sun."

"Father!" exclaimed the young man, "your attack is unjust, and those that I look upon as my friends—those whom I regard as my friends—would not see me suffering or in adversity unless their hearts went out to me."

"I have lived seventy years," responded the old man, "and I have been tried by good and bad fortune. I have known a great many men, and during these long years it has been well-nigh impossible for me to acquire a friend. How, at your age, and in such a short time, have you been able to find fifty friends? Learn from me, my son, to know human nature."

The old merchant strangled a sheep, put the carcass in a sack, and stained his son's clothing with the blood of the animal. At night the young man was told what he must do, and he took the carcass of the sheep on his shoulder and went out of the city.

Soon he arrived at the house of his first friend, and knocked at the door, which was promptly opened to him. His friend asked him what he wanted.

"It is in the midst of misfortune that friendship is put to a trial," responded the young man. "I have often told you of an old feud that has existed between our family and that of a lord of the court. Not long ago we met in a secluded spot. Hatred placed arms in our hands, and he fell lifeless at my feet. For fear of being pursued by justice I seized his body; it is in the sack you see on my shoulders. I beg you to hide it in your house until this affair has blown over."

"My house is so small," said the friend, with an air of sorrow and embarrassment, "that it can scarcely contain the living who dwell in it. How could I find room for the dead?"

The young man begged his friend to have pity on him, but without avail, and the ungrateful man shut the door in his face.

"You see, my son," said the old merchant, "these are the kind of friends on whom you were depending."

"To tell you the truth, father," said the young man, "I have always suspected that this particular friend was a hypocrite, but all are not so. Wait, and you shall see."

The younger man continued to knock at the doors of his friends. Fifty times he met with the same reception. No one wanted to do him the kindness to hide the body.

"My son," said the old merchant, "you must see at last how little you can depend on man. What has become of the friends whom you were praising to me a little while ago? In your supposed misfortune each one has forsaken you. I will show you the difference between the one real friend that I have and the fifty false ones whom you have tested."

As they talked, the father and son reached the door of the house of the one whom the old merchant had represented as the model of perfect friendship. The merchant related to his friend the imaginary misfortunes that had befallen his son, and begged the friend to hide the compromising sack.

"Oh, happy day and blessed hour!" exclaimed the faithful friend. "My house is large, and herein you may hide whatever you choose."

"Think," said the young man, "of the great dangers to which you expose yourself! Who knows but you may be accused of the murder, or, at least, of favoring the assassin."