AN ARAB LEGEND.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 284, 15 June 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

AN ARAB LEGEND.

The Arah<J toll a storv to show hovr a nio.in nun s philosophy overshoots itself, ['ndfr tho reign of t]io first Caliph there \va« a merchant of Bagdad *«1 ■ ; ' v rich and ovar: .:r.u

One day he bargained with a porter to carry home with him a basket of porcelain va-es for ten parjis. A 6 they went aiong he .-'aid to tho man; "My inend, you are you'ng. anil I am old. \on can still earn plenty. Strike a para from vour 1 iro"

"\\ ilLnt'iy,' re.died the porter. This request was repe.ited again and again, until, when they reached the house, tho port. t had < illy a single para to lece've.

As the-,- went i (.stairs tho merchant said, "If you will ret-ign ti:o last para I will give you three piece.? of advee." "lie it so," said the porter. "Well, then," siid the merchant, "if anyone tells you it i* hotter to l>e fasting than fca-ting do not balieve him. II anyoiio tolls you it is better to he poor than rv.di do not believe him. A anyone tells you it is better to walk than ride in your carriage do not behove him."

"My dear sir," replied the a-tonshed |mrtor, " I knew things ebfore. Hut it you will to me I will give you f.':ch advice a > you never heard !>•- lore." Th" merchant turn d round, and Iho porter, tiiro'vnu the basket down the <;taiicas\ said, "It" anyone tells you that one of vour vases i>> unbroken, do not nelicvo him."