The Child's World Part 16

CALIPH: Bid him enter. There is none too poor to be received by me.

(Courtier goes out and returns with woodcutter, who kneels and kisses the ground. Then he stands with arms folded.)

CALIPH: Tell me, good man, what brought you here? Has any one done you a wrong?

WOODCUTTER: Great wrong, my lord. The rich barber Ali did buy a load of wood from me. He offered me five shekels for all the wood on my donkey.

When I had put down the load, I asked for my money, but he refused to pay me until I had given him my pack saddle. He said the bargain was "all the wood on the donkey," and that the saddle is wood. He said he would put me in prison if I did not give up the saddle. Then he took it and drove me away with blows.

CALIPH: A strange story, truly. The barber has law on his side, and yet you have right on yours. The law must be obeyed, but--come here and let me whisper something to you.

(The woodcutter listens smilingly and bowing low, leaves the room.)

ACT III

PLACE: The barber's shop.

TIME: A few days later.

ALI: Ah! here comes my stupid friend the woodcutter. I suppose he has come to quarrel about the wood. No, he is smiling.

WOODCUTTER: Good day to you, friend Ali. I have come to ask if you will be so kind as to shave me and a companion from the country.

ALI: Oh, yes, I suppose so.

WOODCUTTER: How much will you charge?

ALI: A shekel for the two.

(To himself.)

The poor fool cannot pay that sum.

WOODCUTTER. Very good. Shave me first.

(Ali shaves him.)

ALI: Now you are shaved. Where is your companion?

WOODCUTTER: He is standing outside. He will come in at once.

(He goes out and returns leading his donkey.)

This is my companion. Shave him.

ALI (_in a rage_): Shave him! Shave a donkey, indeed! Is it not enough that I should lower myself by touching you? And then you insult me by asking me to shave your donkey! Away with you!

ACT IV

PLACE: Caliph's Palace.

TIME: Half-hour later.

CALIPH: Well, my friend, did you do as I told you?

WOODCUTTER: Yes, and Ali refused to shave my donkey.

CALIPH (_to Courtier_): Bid Ali come to me at once and bring his razors with him.

(Courtier leaves and returns with Ali.)

CALIPH: Why did you refuse to shave this man's companion? Was not that your agreement?

ALI (_kissing the ground_): It is true, O caliph, such was the agreement, but who ever made a companion of a donkey before?

CALIPH: True enough, but who ever thought of saying that a pack saddle is a part of a load of wood? No, no, it is the woodcutter's turn now.

Shave his donkey instantly.

(Ali lathers the beast and shaves him in the presence of the whole court, and then slips away amid the laughter of the bystanders.)

CALIPH: Now, my honest woodcutter, here is a purse of gold for you.

Always remember that the caliph gladly listens to the complaints of his people, poor and rich, and will right their wrongs if he can.

WOODCUTTER: Long live the Caliph!

COURTIERS: Long live the Caliph!

--EASTERN TALE.

WINTER NIGHT

Blow, wind, blow!

Drift the flying snow!

Send it twirling, twirling overhead.

There's a bedroom in a tree Where snug as snug can be, The squirrel nests in his cozy bed.

Shriek, wind, shriek!

Make the branches creak!

Battle with the boughs till break of day!

In a snow cave warm and tight Through the icy winter night The rabbit sleeps the peaceful hour away.