August 27, 2025 • 23 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Jar of Olives and the Boy Kazi from The
Thousand and One Knights, translated from the Arabic by Sir
Richard and Lady Isabel Burton. Under the reign of the
Caliph Haroon al Rashad, there dwelt in the city of
Baghdad a certain merchant Ali Kwajahhit, who had a small
stock of goods, wherewith he bought and sold and made
(00:22):
a bare livelihood, abiding alone and without a family, in
the house of his forebears. Now so it came to
pass that each night, for three nights together he saw
envision a venerable Shaikh who bespake him. Thus, thou art
beholden to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Why abidest thou
(00:43):
sunk in heedless slumber and ferrest not forth? As it
behooveth thee. Hearing these words, he became sore, startled and affrighted,
so that he sold shop and goods and all that
he had, and with firm intent to visit the Holy
House of Almighty Allah, he led his home on hire
and joined a caravan that was journeying to Mecca the Magnified.
(01:06):
But ere he left his natal city, he placed a
thousand gold pieces, which were over and above his need
for the journey within an earthen jar filled up with
asafari or sparrow olives, And having made fast the mouth thereof,
he carried the jar to a merchant friend of many
years standing, and said, Belikh, thou hast heard tell that
(01:26):
I purpose going with a caravan on pilgrimage to Mecca,
the Holy City. So I have brought a jar of olives,
the which I pray thee preserved for me in trust
against my return. The merchant at once arose, and handing
the key of his warehouse to ali Quajah, said here,
take the key and open the store, and therein place
(01:48):
the jar anywhere thou choosest, and when thou shalt come back,
thou wilt find it even as thou leftest it. Hereupon
ali Quaja did his friend's bidding, and, locking up the door,
returned the key to its master. Then, loading his traveling
goods upon a dromedary, and mounting a second beast, he
(02:08):
fared forth with the caravan. They came at length to
Mecca the Magnified. And it was the month of zu
al Hijah, wherein Myriads of Moslems high hither on pilgrimage
and pray and prostrate before the Ka'a Bah temple. And
when he had circuited the Holy House and fulfilled all
the rites and ceremonies required of palmers, he set up
(02:32):
a shop for sale of merchandise. By chance, two merchants
passing along the street espied the fine stuffs and goods
in ali Quaja's booth, and approved much of them, and
praised their beauty and excellence. Presently quoth one to other,
this man bringeth here most rare and costly goods now
(02:52):
in Cairo, the capital of egypt Land. He would get
full value for them, and far more than in the
markets of this city. Hearing mention of Cairo, ali Quaja
conceived a sore longing to visit that famous capital. So
he gave up his intent to return Baghdad ward and
purposed wayfaring to Egypt. Accordingly, he joined a caravan, and,
(03:16):
arriving thither, was well pleased with the place, both country
and city, and selling his merchandise, he made great gain
therefrom Then buying other goods and stuffs, he purposed to
make Damascus, but for one full month he tarried at
Cairo and visited her sanctuaries in saintly places, and after
(03:37):
leaving her walls, he solaced himself with seeing many famous
cities distant. Several days journey from the capital along the
banks of the River Nilis, presently bidding adieu to Egypt,
he arrived at the Sanctified House, Jerusalem and prayed in
the Temple of Banu Israel, which the Moslems had re edified.
(04:00):
In due time. He reached Damascus and observed that the
city was well builded and much peopled, and that the
fields and meads were well watered with springs and channels,
and that the gardens and the vergiers were laden with
flowers and fruits. Amid such delights, Ali Quaja hardly thought
of Baghdad withal. He ceased not to pursue his journey
(04:22):
through Aleppo, Mosel, and Shiraz, tarrying some time at all
of these towns, especially at Shiraz, till at length, after
seven years of wayfaring, he came back to Baghdad. For
seven long years, the Baghdad merchant never once thought of
Ali Quaja or of the trust committed to his charge,
(04:43):
till one day, as his wife sat at meat with
him at the evening meal, their talk, by chance was
of olives. Quoth she to him, I would now fain
have some that I may eat of them. And quoth he,
as thou speakest thereof, I bethink me of that Ali Quaja,
who seven years ago fared on a pilgrimage to Mecca,
(05:03):
and ere he went left in trust with me a
jar of sparrow olives, which still cumbereth the storehouse. Who
knoweth where he is or what hath betided him? A
man who lately returned with the haj caravan brought me
word that Ali Kwajah had quitted Mecca the Magnified, with
intent to journey on to Egypt. Allah Almighty alone knoweth
(05:26):
and he be still alive, or he be now dead. However,
if his olives be in good condition, I will go
bring some hither that we may taste them. So give
me a platter and a lamp, that I may fetch
thee somewhat of them. His wife, an honest woman and
an upright made answer. Allah forbid that thou shouldst do
a deed so base and break thy word and covenant.
(05:49):
Who can tell thou art not assured by any of
his death. Perchance he may come back from Egypt safe
and sound tomorrow or the day after. Then wilt thou
and thou cannot deliver unharmed to him what he hath
left in pledge. Be ashamed of this thy broken troth,
and we shall be disgraced before man and dishonored. In
(06:10):
the presence of thy friend. I will not, for my
part have any hand in such meanness, nor will I
taste thee olives. Furthermore, it standeth not to reason that
after seven years keeping they should be fit to eat.
I do implore thee to forswear this ill purpose. On
such wise, the merchant's wife protested and prayed her husband
(06:32):
that he meddle not with ali Quajav's olives, and shamed
him of his intent, so that for the nunce he
cast the matter from his mind. However, although the traitor
refrained that evening from taking ali Quajav's alaves, yet he
kept the design in memory until one day, when of
his obstinacy and unfaith, he resolved to carry out his project, and,
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rising up, walked toward the store room dish in hand.
By chance, he met his wife, who said, I am
no partner with THEE in this ill action. In very truth,
some evil shall befall THEE, and thou do such deed.
He heard her, but heeded her not, and going to
the store room, opened the jar and found the olives
(07:17):
spoiled and white with mold. But presently he tilted up
the jar, and pouring some of its contents into the dish,
suddenly saw an ashrafi fall from the vessel, together with
the fruit. Then filled with greed, he turned out all
that was within into another jar, and wondered with exceeding
wonder to find the lower half full of golden coins. Presently,
(07:40):
putting up the monies and the olives, he closed the vessel, and,
going back, said to his wife, thou spakest sooth, for
I have examined the jar and found the fruit moldy
and foul of smell. Wherefore I returned it to its
place and left it as it was aforetime. That night
the merchant could not sleep a wink, for thinking of
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the gold and how he might lay hands thereon. And
when morning morrowed, he took out all the ashrafis, and
buying some fresh olives in the bazaar, filled up the
jar with them, and closed the mouth and set it
in its usual place. Now it came to pass by
Allah's mercy that at the end of the month, Ali
(08:22):
Kwajah returned safe and sound to Baghdad, and he first
went to his old friend to wit the merchant, who
greeted him with feigned joy, fell on his neck, but
withal was sore, troubled and perplexed at what might happen.
After salutations and much rejoicing on either part, Ali Kwajab
bespaked the merchant on business and begged that he might
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take back his jar of asafari olives, which he had
placed in charge of his familiar. Quoth the merchant to
Ali Kwajah, O, my friend, I WoT not where thou
didst leave the jar of olives, but here is the key.
Go down to the storehouse and take all that is
thine own. So Ali Kwaja did as he was bidden, and,
(09:06):
carrying the jar from the magazine, took his leave and
hastened home. But when he opened the vessel and found
not the gold coins, he was distracted and overwhelmed with grief,
and made bitter lamentation. Then he returned to the merchant,
and said, O, my friend, Allah, the all present and
the all seeing, be my witness that when I went
(09:28):
on my pilgrimage to Mecca the Magnified, I left a
thousand ashrafis in that jar, and now I find them. Not,
canst thou tell me aught concerning them? And thou, in
thy sore need, have made use of them? It mattereth not,
so thou wilt give them back as soon as thou
art able. The merchant, apparently pitying him, said, O, good,
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my friend, thou didst thyself with thine hand set the
jar inside the storeroom. I wist not that thou hadst
aught in it save olives. Yet as they thou didst
leave it. So in like manner didst thou find it
and carry it away? And now thou chargest me with
theft of ashrafis. It seemeth strange and passing strange that
thou shouldst make such accusation. When thou wentest, thou madest
(10:15):
no mention of any money in the jar, but saidst
that it was full of olives, even as thou hast
found it. Had thou left gold coins therein, then surely
thou wouldst have recovered them. Hereupon, Ali Quajab begged hard
with much entreaty, saying, those thousand ashrafis were all I owned,
(10:36):
the money earned by years of toil. I do beseech
thee have pity on my case and give them back
to me, replied the merchant, waxing wrath with great wrath, O,
my friend, a fine fellow, thou art to talk of
honesty and withal make such false and lying charge. Be gone,
hie thee hence, and come not to my house again,
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for now I know thee as thou art a swindler
and impostor. Hearing this dispute between Ali Quaja and the merchant,
all the people of the quarter came crowding to the shop,
and thus it became well known to all rich and
poor within the city of Baghdad, how that one Ali
Kwajah had hidden a thousand ashrafis within a jar of
(11:19):
olives and had placed it on trust with a certain merchant. Moreover,
how after pilgrimingage to Mecca and seven years of travel,
the poor man had returned, and that the rich man
had gainsaid his words aninasth the gold and was ready
to make oath that he had not received any trust
of the kind. At length, when naught else availed, Ali
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Quaja was constrained to bring the matter before the Kazi
and to claim one thousand ashrafis of his false friend.
The judge asked what witnesses hast thou who may speak
for thee and the plaintiff answered, O, my lord the Kazi,
I fear to tell the matter to any man, lest
all come to know of my secret. Allah Almighty is
(12:05):
my sole testimony. This merchant was my friend, and I
recked not that he would prove dishonest and unfaithful. Quoth
the judge. Then, must I needs send for the merchant
and hear what he saith on oath? And when the
defendant came, they made him swear by all he deemed holy,
facing ka Abah words with hands uplifted, and he cried,
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I swear that I know not of any ashrafis belonging
to Ali Kwajah. Hereat The Kazi pronounced him innocent and
dismissed him from court, and Ali Kwajah went home, sat
at heart and said to himself, alas, what justice is
this which hath been meted out to me? That I
should lose my money and my just cause be deemed unjust.
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It hath been truly said, he loseth the lave who
sueth before a knave. On the next day he drew
out a statement of his case, and as the Caliph
Harun al Rashad was on his way to Friday prayers,
he fell down on the ground before him and presented
to him the paper. The Commander of the faithful read
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the petition, and, having understood the case, deigned give order,
saying tomorrow bring the accuser and the accused to the
audience hall and place the petition before my presence, for
I myself will inquire into this matter. That night, the
Prince of True Believers, as was his wont don, disguised
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to walk about the squares of Baghdad and its streets
and lanes, and accompanied by Ja'far, the Barmaki and Masrur,
the sworder of his vengeance, proceeded to espy what happened
in the city. Immediately on issuing forth, he came upon
an open place in the bazaar when he heard the
hubbub of children a playing, and saw at scanty distance
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some ten or dozen boys making sport among themselves in
the moonlight. And he stopped awhile to watch their diversion.
Then one among the lads, a goodly and a fair complexioned,
said to the others, come now and let us play
the game of Kazi. I will be the judge. Let
one of you be Ali Quaja, and another the merchant
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with whom he placed the thousand ashrafis in pledged before
faring on his pilgrimage. So come ye before me, and
let each one plead his plea. When the Caliph heard
the name of Ali Quajah, he minded him of the
petition which had been presented to him for justice against
the merchant, and bethought him that he would wait and
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see how the boy would perform the part of Kazi
in their game, and upon what decision he would decide.
So the Prince watched the mock trial with keen interest,
saying to himself, this case hath verily made such stir
within the city that even the children know thereof and
react it in their sports. He among the lads who
(15:01):
took the part of Ali Quajah. The plaintiff and his playmate,
who represented the merchant of Baghdad accused of theft, advanced
and stood before the boy who as the Kazi sat
in pomp and dignity, quoth the judge, o Ali Quaja,
what is thy claim against this merchant? And a complainant
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preferred his charge in a plea of full detail. Then
said the Kazi to the boy who acted merchant, what
answerest thou to this complaint and why didst thou not
return the gold pieces? The accused made reply even as
the real defendant had done, and denied the charge before
the judge, professing himself ready to take oath there too,
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then said the boy Kazi, ere thou swear on oath
that thou hast not taken the money. I would fain
see for myself the jar of olives which the plaintiff
deposited with thee untrust. Then, turning to the boy who
represented Ali Quajah, he cried, go thou and instantly produced
the jar, that I may inspect it. And when the
(16:05):
vessel was brought, the Kazi said to the two contentious
see now and say me be this the very jar
which thou the plaintiff leftest with the defendant, And both
answered that it was one and the same. Then said
their self constituted judge. Open Now the jar, and bring
hither some of the contents, that I may see the
state in which the Asafari olives actually are. Then, tasting
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of the fruit, how is this? I find? Their flavor
is fresh and their state excellent. Surely, during the lapse
of seven twelve months the olives would have become moldy
and rotten. Bring now before me two oil merchants of
the town, that they may pass opinion upon them. Then
two other of the boys assumed the parts commanded, and
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coming into court, stood before the Kazi, who asked, are
ye olive merchants by trade? They answered, we are, and
this hath been our calling for many generations, And in
buying and selling olives we earn our daily bread. Then
said the Kazi, tell me now, how long do olives
keep fresh and well flavored? And they said, O, my lord,
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however carefully we keep them. After the third year they
change flavor and color and become no longer fit for food.
In fact, they are good only to be cast away.
Thereupon quoth the boy, Kazi, examine me now these olives
that are in this jar, and say me how old
are they? And what is their condition? And savor The
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two boys who played the parts of oil merchants. Pretended
to take some berries from the jar and taste them,
And presently they said, oh, our lord the Kazi, these
olives are in fair condition and full flavored. Quoth the
kazi ye speak falsely, for tis seven years since Ali
Quajar put them in the jar, as he was about
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to go a pilgrimaging. They say, what so thou wilt?
Those olives are of this year's growth, And there is
not an oil merchant in all Baghdad. But who will
agree with us? Moreover, the accused was made to taste
and smell the fruits, and he could not but admit
that it was even so as they had avouched. Then
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said the boy Kazi to the boy defendant, tis clear
thou art a rogue and a rascal, and thou hast
done a deed, wherefore thou richly deservest to give it.
Hearing this, the children frisked about and clapped their hands
with glee and gladness. Then, seizing hold of him who
acted as the merchant of Baghdad, they let him off
as to execution. The commander of the faithful, Haroon al Rashad,
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was greatly pleased at this acuteness of the boy who
had assumed the part of the judge in the play,
and commanded his Wazir jah Afar, saying, mark well the
lad who enacted the Kazi in this mock trial, and
see that thou produce him on the morrow. He shall
try the case in my presence substantially and in real earnest,
even as we have heard him deal with it in play.
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Summon also the Kazi of this city, that he may
learn the administration of justice from this child. Moreover, send
word to Ali Kwajab, bidding him bring with him the
jar of olives, and have also in readiness two oil
merchants of the town. Thus, as they walked along, the
Caliph gave orders to the Wazir and then returned to
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his palace. So on the morrow, ja' Afar the Barmaki
went to that quarter of the town where the children
had enacted the mok trial and asked the schoolmaster where
his scholars might be, and he answered, they have all
gone away, each to his home. So the minister visited
the houses pointed out to him, and ordered the little
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ones to appear in his presence. Accordingly, they were brought
before him. When he said to them, who among you
is he that yester night acted the part of kazi
in play and passed sentence. In the case of Ali Kwajah.
The eldest of them replied twas I O, my lord
the Wazir, and then he waxed pale, not knowing why
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the question was put, cried the minister, come along with me.
The commander of the Faithful hath need of thee. At
this the mother of the lad was so afraid and wept,
but jah' Aphar comforted her and said, O, my lady,
have no fear and trouble not thyself. Thy son will
soon return to thee in safety, Inshallah God willing, and
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methinks the Sultan will show much favor unto him. The
woman's heart was heartened on hearing these words of the Wazir,
and she joyfully dressed her boy in his best attire
and sent him off with the Wazir, who led him
by the hand to the Caliph's audience hall and executed
all the other commandments which had been issued by his
liege lord. Then the Commander of the Faithful, having taken
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seat upon the throne of justice, set the boy upon
a seat beside him, And as soon as the contending
parties appeared before him, that is Ali Kwajah and the
merchant of Baghdad, he commanded them to state each man
his case in presence of the child, who should adjudge
the suit. So the two plaintive and defendant recounted their
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contention before the boy in full detail. And when the
accused stoutly denied the charge and was about to swear
on oath that what he said was true, with hands
uplifted and facing ka abawards, the child, Kazi prevented him, saying, enough,
swear not on oath till thou art bidden, and first
let the jar of olives be produced in court. Forthwith,
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the jar was brought forward and placed before him, and
the lad bade open it. Then tasting one. He gave
also to two oil merchants who had been summoned, that
they might do likewise and declare how old was the
fruit and whether its savor was good or bad. They
did his bidding and said, the flavor of these olives
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hath not changed, and they are of this year's growth.
Then said the boy, methinks ye are mistaken. For seven
years ago Ali Quajab put the olives into the jar.
How then could fruit of this year find their way therein?
But they replied, tis, even as we say, and thou
believe not our words, send straightway for other oil merchants,
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and make inquiry of them. So shalt thou know if
we speak sooth or lies. But when the merchant of
Baghdad saw that he could no longer avail to prove
his innocence, he confessed everything, to wit, how he had
taken out the ashrafis and filled the jar with fresh olives.
Hearing this, the boy said to the Prince of true believers,
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O gracious Sovereign, last night in play, we tried this cause,
but thou alone hast power to apply the penalty. I
have adjudged the matter in thy presence, and I humbly
pray that thou punished this merchant according to the law
of the Qur'an and the custom of the Apostle. And
thou decree the restoring of his thousand gold pieces to
Ali Quajah, for that he hath been proved entitled to them.
The Jar of Olives and the Boy Kazi from The
Thousand and One Knights, translated from the Arabic by Sir
Richard and Lady Isabel Burton. Under the reign of the
Caliph Haroon al Rashad, there dwelt in the city of
Baghdad a certain merchant Ali Kwajahhit, who had a small
stock of goods, wherewith he bought and sold and made
(00:22):
a bare livelihood, abiding alone and without a family, in
the house of his forebears. Now so it came to
pass that each night, for three nights together he saw
envision a venerable Shaikh who bespake him. Thus, thou art
beholden to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Why abidest thou
(00:43):
sunk in heedless slumber and ferrest not forth? As it
behooveth thee. Hearing these words, he became sore, startled and affrighted,
so that he sold shop and goods and all that
he had, and with firm intent to visit the Holy
House of Almighty Allah, he led his home on hire
and joined a caravan that was journeying to Mecca the Magnified.
(01:06):
But ere he left his natal city, he placed a
thousand gold pieces, which were over and above his need
for the journey within an earthen jar filled up with
asafari or sparrow olives, And having made fast the mouth thereof,
he carried the jar to a merchant friend of many
years standing, and said, Belikh, thou hast heard tell that
(01:26):
I purpose going with a caravan on pilgrimage to Mecca,
the Holy City. So I have brought a jar of olives,
the which I pray thee preserved for me in trust
against my return. The merchant at once arose, and handing
the key of his warehouse to ali Quajah, said here,
take the key and open the store, and therein place
(01:48):
the jar anywhere thou choosest, and when thou shalt come back,
thou wilt find it even as thou leftest it. Hereupon
ali Quaja did his friend's bidding, and, locking up the door,
returned the key to its master. Then, loading his traveling
goods upon a dromedary, and mounting a second beast, he
(02:08):
fared forth with the caravan. They came at length to
Mecca the Magnified. And it was the month of zu
al Hijah, wherein Myriads of Moslems high hither on pilgrimage
and pray and prostrate before the Ka'a Bah temple. And
when he had circuited the Holy House and fulfilled all
the rites and ceremonies required of palmers, he set up
(02:32):
a shop for sale of merchandise. By chance, two merchants
passing along the street espied the fine stuffs and goods
in ali Quaja's booth, and approved much of them, and
praised their beauty and excellence. Presently quoth one to other,
this man bringeth here most rare and costly goods now
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in Cairo, the capital of egypt Land. He would get
full value for them, and far more than in the
markets of this city. Hearing mention of Cairo, ali Quaja
conceived a sore longing to visit that famous capital. So
he gave up his intent to return Baghdad ward and
purposed wayfaring to Egypt. Accordingly, he joined a caravan, and,
(03:16):
arriving thither, was well pleased with the place, both country
and city, and selling his merchandise, he made great gain
therefrom Then buying other goods and stuffs, he purposed to
make Damascus, but for one full month he tarried at
Cairo and visited her sanctuaries in saintly places, and after
(03:37):
leaving her walls, he solaced himself with seeing many famous
cities distant. Several days journey from the capital along the
banks of the River Nilis, presently bidding adieu to Egypt,
he arrived at the Sanctified House, Jerusalem and prayed in
the Temple of Banu Israel, which the Moslems had re edified.
(04:00):
In due time. He reached Damascus and observed that the
city was well builded and much peopled, and that the
fields and meads were well watered with springs and channels,
and that the gardens and the vergiers were laden with
flowers and fruits. Amid such delights, Ali Quaja hardly thought
of Baghdad withal. He ceased not to pursue his journey
(04:22):
through Aleppo, Mosel, and Shiraz, tarrying some time at all
of these towns, especially at Shiraz, till at length, after
seven years of wayfaring, he came back to Baghdad. For
seven long years, the Baghdad merchant never once thought of
Ali Quaja or of the trust committed to his charge,
(04:43):
till one day, as his wife sat at meat with
him at the evening meal, their talk, by chance was
of olives. Quoth she to him, I would now fain
have some that I may eat of them. And quoth he,
as thou speakest thereof, I bethink me of that Ali Quaja,
who seven years ago fared on a pilgrimage to Mecca,
(05:03):
and ere he went left in trust with me a
jar of sparrow olives, which still cumbereth the storehouse. Who
knoweth where he is or what hath betided him? A
man who lately returned with the haj caravan brought me
word that Ali Kwajah had quitted Mecca the Magnified, with
intent to journey on to Egypt. Allah Almighty alone knoweth
(05:26):
and he be still alive, or he be now dead. However,
if his olives be in good condition, I will go
bring some hither that we may taste them. So give
me a platter and a lamp, that I may fetch
thee somewhat of them. His wife, an honest woman and
an upright made answer. Allah forbid that thou shouldst do
a deed so base and break thy word and covenant.
(05:49):
Who can tell thou art not assured by any of
his death. Perchance he may come back from Egypt safe
and sound tomorrow or the day after. Then wilt thou
and thou cannot deliver unharmed to him what he hath
left in pledge. Be ashamed of this thy broken troth,
and we shall be disgraced before man and dishonored. In
(06:10):
the presence of thy friend. I will not, for my
part have any hand in such meanness, nor will I
taste thee olives. Furthermore, it standeth not to reason that
after seven years keeping they should be fit to eat.
I do implore thee to forswear this ill purpose. On
such wise, the merchant's wife protested and prayed her husband
(06:32):
that he meddle not with ali Quajav's olives, and shamed
him of his intent, so that for the nunce he
cast the matter from his mind. However, although the traitor
refrained that evening from taking ali Quajav's alaves, yet he
kept the design in memory until one day, when of
his obstinacy and unfaith, he resolved to carry out his project, and,
(06:56):
rising up, walked toward the store room dish in hand.
By chance, he met his wife, who said, I am
no partner with THEE in this ill action. In very truth,
some evil shall befall THEE, and thou do such deed.
He heard her, but heeded her not, and going to
the store room, opened the jar and found the olives
(07:17):
spoiled and white with mold. But presently he tilted up
the jar, and pouring some of its contents into the dish,
suddenly saw an ashrafi fall from the vessel, together with
the fruit. Then filled with greed, he turned out all
that was within into another jar, and wondered with exceeding
wonder to find the lower half full of golden coins. Presently,
(07:40):
putting up the monies and the olives, he closed the vessel, and,
going back, said to his wife, thou spakest sooth, for
I have examined the jar and found the fruit moldy
and foul of smell. Wherefore I returned it to its
place and left it as it was aforetime. That night
the merchant could not sleep a wink, for thinking of
(08:02):
the gold and how he might lay hands thereon. And
when morning morrowed, he took out all the ashrafis, and
buying some fresh olives in the bazaar, filled up the
jar with them, and closed the mouth and set it
in its usual place. Now it came to pass by
Allah's mercy that at the end of the month, Ali
(08:22):
Kwajah returned safe and sound to Baghdad, and he first
went to his old friend to wit the merchant, who
greeted him with feigned joy, fell on his neck, but
withal was sore, troubled and perplexed at what might happen.
After salutations and much rejoicing on either part, Ali Kwajab
bespaked the merchant on business and begged that he might
(08:44):
take back his jar of asafari olives, which he had
placed in charge of his familiar. Quoth the merchant to
Ali Kwajah, O, my friend, I WoT not where thou
didst leave the jar of olives, but here is the key.
Go down to the storehouse and take all that is
thine own. So Ali Kwaja did as he was bidden, and,
(09:06):
carrying the jar from the magazine, took his leave and
hastened home. But when he opened the vessel and found
not the gold coins, he was distracted and overwhelmed with grief,
and made bitter lamentation. Then he returned to the merchant,
and said, O, my friend, Allah, the all present and
the all seeing, be my witness that when I went
(09:28):
on my pilgrimage to Mecca the Magnified, I left a
thousand ashrafis in that jar, and now I find them. Not,
canst thou tell me aught concerning them? And thou, in
thy sore need, have made use of them? It mattereth not,
so thou wilt give them back as soon as thou
art able. The merchant, apparently pitying him, said, O, good,
(09:51):
my friend, thou didst thyself with thine hand set the
jar inside the storeroom. I wist not that thou hadst
aught in it save olives. Yet as they thou didst
leave it. So in like manner didst thou find it
and carry it away? And now thou chargest me with
theft of ashrafis. It seemeth strange and passing strange that
thou shouldst make such accusation. When thou wentest, thou madest
(10:15):
no mention of any money in the jar, but saidst
that it was full of olives, even as thou hast
found it. Had thou left gold coins therein, then surely
thou wouldst have recovered them. Hereupon, Ali Quajab begged hard
with much entreaty, saying, those thousand ashrafis were all I owned,
(10:36):
the money earned by years of toil. I do beseech
thee have pity on my case and give them back
to me, replied the merchant, waxing wrath with great wrath, O,
my friend, a fine fellow, thou art to talk of
honesty and withal make such false and lying charge. Be gone,
hie thee hence, and come not to my house again,
(10:58):
for now I know thee as thou art a swindler
and impostor. Hearing this dispute between Ali Quaja and the merchant,
all the people of the quarter came crowding to the shop,
and thus it became well known to all rich and
poor within the city of Baghdad, how that one Ali
Kwajah had hidden a thousand ashrafis within a jar of
(11:19):
olives and had placed it on trust with a certain merchant. Moreover,
how after pilgrimingage to Mecca and seven years of travel,
the poor man had returned, and that the rich man
had gainsaid his words aninasth the gold and was ready
to make oath that he had not received any trust
of the kind. At length, when naught else availed, Ali
(11:44):
Quaja was constrained to bring the matter before the Kazi
and to claim one thousand ashrafis of his false friend.
The judge asked what witnesses hast thou who may speak
for thee and the plaintiff answered, O, my lord the Kazi,
I fear to tell the matter to any man, lest
all come to know of my secret. Allah Almighty is
(12:05):
my sole testimony. This merchant was my friend, and I
recked not that he would prove dishonest and unfaithful. Quoth
the judge. Then, must I needs send for the merchant
and hear what he saith on oath? And when the
defendant came, they made him swear by all he deemed holy,
facing ka Abah words with hands uplifted, and he cried,
(12:29):
I swear that I know not of any ashrafis belonging
to Ali Kwajah. Hereat The Kazi pronounced him innocent and
dismissed him from court, and Ali Kwajah went home, sat
at heart and said to himself, alas, what justice is
this which hath been meted out to me? That I
should lose my money and my just cause be deemed unjust.
(12:53):
It hath been truly said, he loseth the lave who
sueth before a knave. On the next day he drew
out a statement of his case, and as the Caliph
Harun al Rashad was on his way to Friday prayers,
he fell down on the ground before him and presented
to him the paper. The Commander of the faithful read
(13:13):
the petition, and, having understood the case, deigned give order,
saying tomorrow bring the accuser and the accused to the
audience hall and place the petition before my presence, for
I myself will inquire into this matter. That night, the
Prince of True Believers, as was his wont don, disguised
(13:34):
to walk about the squares of Baghdad and its streets
and lanes, and accompanied by Ja'far, the Barmaki and Masrur,
the sworder of his vengeance, proceeded to espy what happened
in the city. Immediately on issuing forth, he came upon
an open place in the bazaar when he heard the
hubbub of children a playing, and saw at scanty distance
(13:57):
some ten or dozen boys making sport among themselves in
the moonlight. And he stopped awhile to watch their diversion.
Then one among the lads, a goodly and a fair complexioned,
said to the others, come now and let us play
the game of Kazi. I will be the judge. Let
one of you be Ali Quaja, and another the merchant
(14:19):
with whom he placed the thousand ashrafis in pledged before
faring on his pilgrimage. So come ye before me, and
let each one plead his plea. When the Caliph heard
the name of Ali Quajah, he minded him of the
petition which had been presented to him for justice against
the merchant, and bethought him that he would wait and
(14:40):
see how the boy would perform the part of Kazi
in their game, and upon what decision he would decide.
So the Prince watched the mock trial with keen interest,
saying to himself, this case hath verily made such stir
within the city that even the children know thereof and
react it in their sports. He among the lads who
(15:01):
took the part of Ali Quajah. The plaintiff and his playmate,
who represented the merchant of Baghdad accused of theft, advanced
and stood before the boy who as the Kazi sat
in pomp and dignity, quoth the judge, o Ali Quaja,
what is thy claim against this merchant? And a complainant
(15:22):
preferred his charge in a plea of full detail. Then
said the Kazi to the boy who acted merchant, what
answerest thou to this complaint and why didst thou not
return the gold pieces? The accused made reply even as
the real defendant had done, and denied the charge before
the judge, professing himself ready to take oath there too,
(15:45):
then said the boy Kazi, ere thou swear on oath
that thou hast not taken the money. I would fain
see for myself the jar of olives which the plaintiff
deposited with thee untrust. Then, turning to the boy who
represented Ali Quajah, he cried, go thou and instantly produced
the jar, that I may inspect it. And when the
(16:05):
vessel was brought, the Kazi said to the two contentious
see now and say me be this the very jar
which thou the plaintiff leftest with the defendant, And both
answered that it was one and the same. Then said
their self constituted judge. Open Now the jar, and bring
hither some of the contents, that I may see the
state in which the Asafari olives actually are. Then, tasting
(16:30):
of the fruit, how is this? I find? Their flavor
is fresh and their state excellent. Surely, during the lapse
of seven twelve months the olives would have become moldy
and rotten. Bring now before me two oil merchants of
the town, that they may pass opinion upon them. Then
two other of the boys assumed the parts commanded, and
(16:52):
coming into court, stood before the Kazi, who asked, are
ye olive merchants by trade? They answered, we are, and
this hath been our calling for many generations, And in
buying and selling olives we earn our daily bread. Then
said the Kazi, tell me now, how long do olives
keep fresh and well flavored? And they said, O, my lord,
(17:15):
however carefully we keep them. After the third year they
change flavor and color and become no longer fit for food.
In fact, they are good only to be cast away.
Thereupon quoth the boy, Kazi, examine me now these olives
that are in this jar, and say me how old
are they? And what is their condition? And savor The
(17:36):
two boys who played the parts of oil merchants. Pretended
to take some berries from the jar and taste them,
And presently they said, oh, our lord the Kazi, these
olives are in fair condition and full flavored. Quoth the
kazi ye speak falsely, for tis seven years since Ali
Quajar put them in the jar, as he was about
(17:57):
to go a pilgrimaging. They say, what so thou wilt?
Those olives are of this year's growth, And there is
not an oil merchant in all Baghdad. But who will
agree with us? Moreover, the accused was made to taste
and smell the fruits, and he could not but admit
that it was even so as they had avouched. Then
(18:19):
said the boy Kazi to the boy defendant, tis clear
thou art a rogue and a rascal, and thou hast
done a deed, wherefore thou richly deservest to give it.
Hearing this, the children frisked about and clapped their hands
with glee and gladness. Then, seizing hold of him who
acted as the merchant of Baghdad, they let him off
as to execution. The commander of the faithful, Haroon al Rashad,
(18:44):
was greatly pleased at this acuteness of the boy who
had assumed the part of the judge in the play,
and commanded his Wazir jah Afar, saying, mark well the
lad who enacted the Kazi in this mock trial, and
see that thou produce him on the morrow. He shall
try the case in my presence substantially and in real earnest,
even as we have heard him deal with it in play.
(19:08):
Summon also the Kazi of this city, that he may
learn the administration of justice from this child. Moreover, send
word to Ali Kwajab, bidding him bring with him the
jar of olives, and have also in readiness two oil
merchants of the town. Thus, as they walked along, the
Caliph gave orders to the Wazir and then returned to
(19:29):
his palace. So on the morrow, ja' Afar the Barmaki
went to that quarter of the town where the children
had enacted the mok trial and asked the schoolmaster where
his scholars might be, and he answered, they have all
gone away, each to his home. So the minister visited
the houses pointed out to him, and ordered the little
(19:50):
ones to appear in his presence. Accordingly, they were brought
before him. When he said to them, who among you
is he that yester night acted the part of kazi
in play and passed sentence. In the case of Ali Kwajah.
The eldest of them replied twas I O, my lord
the Wazir, and then he waxed pale, not knowing why
(20:11):
the question was put, cried the minister, come along with me.
The commander of the Faithful hath need of thee. At
this the mother of the lad was so afraid and wept,
but jah' Aphar comforted her and said, O, my lady,
have no fear and trouble not thyself. Thy son will
soon return to thee in safety, Inshallah God willing, and
(20:34):
methinks the Sultan will show much favor unto him. The
woman's heart was heartened on hearing these words of the Wazir,
and she joyfully dressed her boy in his best attire
and sent him off with the Wazir, who led him
by the hand to the Caliph's audience hall and executed
all the other commandments which had been issued by his
liege lord. Then the Commander of the Faithful, having taken
(20:57):
seat upon the throne of justice, set the boy upon
a seat beside him, And as soon as the contending
parties appeared before him, that is Ali Kwajah and the
merchant of Baghdad, he commanded them to state each man
his case in presence of the child, who should adjudge
the suit. So the two plaintive and defendant recounted their
(21:18):
contention before the boy in full detail. And when the
accused stoutly denied the charge and was about to swear
on oath that what he said was true, with hands
uplifted and facing ka abawards, the child, Kazi prevented him, saying, enough,
swear not on oath till thou art bidden, and first
let the jar of olives be produced in court. Forthwith,
(21:41):
the jar was brought forward and placed before him, and
the lad bade open it. Then tasting one. He gave
also to two oil merchants who had been summoned, that
they might do likewise and declare how old was the
fruit and whether its savor was good or bad. They
did his bidding and said, the flavor of these olives
(22:02):
hath not changed, and they are of this year's growth.
Then said the boy, methinks ye are mistaken. For seven
years ago Ali Quajab put the olives into the jar.
How then could fruit of this year find their way therein?
But they replied, tis, even as we say, and thou
believe not our words, send straightway for other oil merchants,
(22:25):
and make inquiry of them. So shalt thou know if
we speak sooth or lies. But when the merchant of
Baghdad saw that he could no longer avail to prove
his innocence, he confessed everything, to wit, how he had
taken out the ashrafis and filled the jar with fresh olives.
Hearing this, the boy said to the Prince of true believers,
(22:47):
O gracious Sovereign, last night in play, we tried this cause,
but thou alone hast power to apply the penalty. I
have adjudged the matter in thy presence, and I humbly
pray that thou punished this merchant according to the law
of the Qur'an and the custom of the Apostle. And
thou decree the restoring of his thousand gold pieces to
Ali Quajah, for that he hath been proved entitled to them.
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