by Mir Amman
‘I wondered at the huge amount of wealth my father had left. I took charge of it and started living my own life. My drawing-room and private apartments were elegantly furnished with the choicest things: costly furniture, beautiful curtains and apt fittings. Things for merrymaking were provided as well. Handsome servants clad in rich liveries were employed as my personal attendants and I would relax reclining against cushions in my drawing-room. Considering me a boy of tender age, sychophants and knaves and such others did not take long to gather around me. They talked idly and kept me in good cheer and through their counsel wine and women too were introduced in our midst. And I was happy to indulge wildly in them. Man, as you know, meets the devil in man. In their company I devoted myself to the pleasures of the flesh and lavishly spent my father’s money on women and wine and in gambling. The result of neglecting my business was obvious. Even the proverbial treasures of Korah would not have sufficed my extravagance. Wealth got without effort is ill spent. So it was not long before I found that I had spent all that my father had left me. My servants left me. And those false friends disappeared too. Even if I chanced to meet them, they turned their eyes from me. Penniless and friendless, and with nothing to eat, I wondered where to go and what to do. I began to look like one dying of starvation. Completely dejected, I thought of going to my sister. I was much ashamed since in my life of comfort and leisure I had not even replied to any of her letters after our parents’ death. But I could not think of anywhere else to go.
‘And so, although conscious of my shamelessness, one day I started on foot and after an arduous journey reached my sister’s place. She was shocked to see me in that wretched condition. She burst into tears and cried, “What ill luck has befallen you, my dear brother?” Guilt, on account of my behavour in the past, did not allow me to utter a single word. She was all kindness. She distributed alms to the poor for my safe arrival and sent me to the bath. She got me new clothes and arranged for me a separate elegantly furnished apartment near her own. Good breakfasts and wholesome meals twice a day restored my health. I thanked God; He had given me comfort after such hardship. But it was not to last for long.
‘One day my sister said to me, “Thank God! He has given you a new life. I would never wish you to remain away from me. But you know it is a strange world. It is every man’s duty to work. What will people think of you if you sit idle at home? They will say that after spending all your father’s wealth you are now living on your brother-in-law’s charity. And this will be a sad reflection on our parents. I feel now is the time you should start doing something.” “I myself would like to,” I said, “but you are now like my mother; I shall do as you please.”
‘She was pleased to hear this and went to her apartment and soon reappeared. With the assistance of her maidservants she brought fifty bags of gold sovereigns which she placed before me and said, “I understand that a caravan of merchants is to leave for Damascus in a day or two. You should join it. Take this money and purchase whatever goods you can sell at a profit in Damascus. Find a merchant honest enough and entrust your goods to him. Meanwhile you too should go to Damascus and take the proceeds from the sale of your goods from him when he arrives there. Whatever merchandise remains you may sell it yourself at a profit.”
‘I took those bags of gold and went to the wholesale market of general merchandise. Fortunately, I met one of the merchants of the caravan. With his counsel I bought the goods and entrusted them to him and got a receipt as my sister had advised. I went back to my sister and told her what I had done. She was pleased.
‘Two days later the merchants set off by sea. I took the overland route. My sister provided me with a good horse and put some eatables for me in a leather bag. she tied a sacred rupee on my arm and marked my forehead with curd to guard against evil on my journey. With tearful eyes she said, “God be with you! May you remain safe and return soon.” Thus she bade me farewell.
‘I mounted my horse and set out for Damascus. The weather was fine and the horse well-bred. It did not take me long to reach there. But since it was already night, the city gates had been closed. The guards did not concede to my request to open the gates so that I might enter the city. I, therefore, alighted from my horse and spreading my saddle-cloth on the ground, sat down. A mysterious silence prevailed there. I could not sleep and just walked up and down. When it was midnight, I saw a big chest tied with strings being lowered slowly down the city wall. I was quite amazed at this. “Is it a talisman?” I said to myself, “or perhaps, God Almighty has taken pity on me and sent me an unexpected treasure in this big chest.” When it reached the ground I grew impatient to know what it contained. I went near it. It was a wooden chest and when I opened it I could not believe what I saw. There lay a beautiful woman in it. She was wounded and the blood stains on her clothes were not yet dry. Her eyes were closed and from her face it appeared that she was in extreme agony. The sight struck me dumb. She slowly moved her lips and said, “O cruel wretch, is this how you repay all my kindness and affection? Well, you may give me yet another blow. I leave it to God to do us justice.” I just wondered and in a thoughtless mood found myself uttering these words: “I cannot understand who the devil could have ever thought of injuring such a fair lady. And she still remembers him in this death-agony.” Upon these words she opened her eyes, drew the veil from her face and looked at me. Our eyes met for a moment. That glance of her’s pierced through my heart. I nearly fainted. But somehow I mustered enough courage to ask her, “What is it? Tell me, please, who are you and who treated you thus?” She had not the strength to speak. Only faintly she said, “Thank God! But my wounds do not allow me to speak. I might live only for a few moments more. When I have breathed my last, please be kind enough to bury me in this chest at a place where nobody may find it. And thus I may escape the condemnation of the people. May God bless you for this!” Then she became silent and pulled her veil over her face.
‘I put the chest near my belongings. I was determined to help her. But I too was helpless. I had to wait till dawn. Those remaining hours of night were really too long and heavy for me. At last the day dawned. I heard the cock crow and the cry of the muezzin from the mosque inside the city. I said my morning prayers, put the chest on my horse and as soon as the gates opened I entered the city. I asked the people where I could get a house on rent. With great difficulty I found a comfortable house. The first thing I did was to take that fair lady out of the chest and make her a soft bed. I found myself a trustworthy servant who told me of a good barber-surgeon, well versed in the art of surgery. Leaving the lady under his care I went out. After ascertaining it from people, I searched for and found the place of the surgeon, Eisa by name. He was an old man with a flourishing beard, sitting at his door. A few men were preparing powders and plaster materials beside him. I paid him my respects and said, “I came to this city for trade and brought my wife along with me out of my love for her. On the way when night set in I did not think it advisable to proceed further. We stayed under a tree. When it was past midnight we were attacked by robbers. They wounded my wife and took away all her jewellery. I was helpless since they were too many. Early this morning we entered the city. She has grown very weak. I have rented a house and left her there. God has given you such great skill in the art of surgery. I have heard much of your renown and have come to seek your help. Would you kindly come along with me and save her life? I shall be ever grateful to you for this favour.”
‘Eisa was really a kind-hearted man. He took his bag of medicines and came along. After examining her he said, “She is severely wounded but she will be all right within forty days if God wills it so.” He washed the wounds in neem-water. He stitched some of them, put bandages on others after applying some ointments and said, “I will come every morning for dressing. Please see to it that she has complete rest, lest the stitches give way. Give her chicken soup in small quantities and musk-water to keep her strength.” With these instructions he took his leave. I presented him a bottle of rose s
cent and said, “May God bless you! You have given me new hope of her life.” In my heart I prayed for her health, never left her alone and saw to it that she had complete rest as advised. Meanwhile, the merchant of Yemen to whom I had entrusted my goods also arrived there. I took my goods from him and sold them in the market at whatever price they fetched. The proceeds thereof I began to spend on her. The surgeon visited her every day and dressed her wounds. In a short time her wounds healed. When she recovered completely and took her bath of health, I thanked God and presented a robe of honour to the surgeon. I was extremely happy, as though I had got the kingdom of the seven realms. I celebrated the occasion and ordered costly colourful carpets to cover the floor and got a cosy and elegant seat for her with soft cushions and pillows. There she sat—so beautiful, her face bright like the full moon and eyes sparkling as if to dazzle me. I distributed a huge sum of money among the poor. I kept myself at her service and did what she asked me to do. One day, in her vanity, she said, “Look, if you want my pleasure, always do what I say; never try to meddle in my doings, or else you will repent.” Nevertheless, from her looks it appeared that she was grateful for my kindness and services to her. I would do nothing without her approval and obediently did whatever she asked me to. Months passed in this manner, yet I never knew the mystery behind her nor had I the courage to ask her about it.
‘I realized that my resources were fast depleting and that it would not be long before I had spent my last penny. The thought distressed me much because I was a complete stranger there and knew no one to seek help from. One day she guessed my distress from my face and said, “Look here, man, whatever services you have rendered me, I shall never forget. At present I am unable to pay for them. But if you require anything for the day to day expenses, bring me a piece of paper and pen and ink.” From her behaviour I presumed that she must be a princess, or else she would not have addressed me thus nor would she have spoken with such confidence. I gave her a pen, some ink and paper. She wrote a note and handing it over to me said, “By the three arched gates near the fort, you will find a big mansion in the adjoining lane. The master of that house is Sidi Bahar. Go and deliver this note to him.”
‘I followed her instructions and soon found the place. Through the door-keeper I announced my arrival. No sooner had he reported it in the house, than a handsome and pleasing young negro, wearing an attractive turban, came out to see me. He said nothing but politely took the note from me and went in. Within a few moments he came back, followed by slaves who carried on their heads eleven trays covered with silk cloth. He ordered them, “Go with this young man and deliver these trays.” I took my leave of him and went to my house with those slaves. Dismissing them at the door I took those trays in and placed them before the fair lady. She looked at them and said, “Keep these eleven bags of gold sovereigns with you to meet the day to day expenses.” I took those bags but the mystery deepened for me and I became more disturbed. “It is really strange,” I said to myself, “that a person unknown to me should give me so much money at the sight of a short note, without asking me any questions. I cannot ask the lady for she has already forbidden me to inquire about anything.” So I grew more anxious and lost my peace of mind.
‘Eight days later, she said to me, “God has bestowed on man the robe of humanity which does not get torn or soiled. Worn out clothes do not diminish his stature and humanity, yet a man in such clothes seldom commands respect in society. Take some money and go to the market and buy two elegant suits and some jewellery for yourself from Yusuf’s shop.”
‘I mounted my horse and went to the shop described. I saw there a young man in saffron-coloured clothes. He looked really handsome. Many a passer-by would stop to have a look at him. I greeted him and mentioned the articles I required. He knew from my accent that I was a foreigner and said, “You can get all you need here but tell me please where you hail from and the purpose of your visit to this country.” I did not think it proper to relate to him my story. So I avoided it somehow and collected the dress and jewellery and paid its price. As I rose to take my leave, he was displeased and said, “If you wished to keep the mystery about yourself, why did you display such warmth at first?” He sounded upset and I thought it uncultured to take my leave abruptly. I sat down. He was much pleased at this and said, “Many thanks, Sir, for this kindness! Would you also favour me with your company tonight? I am inviting some of my friends and hope we shall have a good time.” As I always had the fair lady on my mind and had never left her alone nor had done anything without her consent I made many excuses. But he would not let me leave until he had extracted a promise from me to attend the party.
‘So I went back to her and placed the articles before her. She asked their price and inquired about the jeweller. I told her of his invitation and of my acceptance of it provided she approved. She said, “Our Prophet said we should accept such offers of hospitality. Since you have given your word, you should keep it. Leave me under the protection of God and keep your promise.” I said, “As a matter of fact, I do not wish to go and leave you alone, but now I must carry out what you say. I shall go but my heart will be here with you.”
‘I went back to the merchant and found him waiting for me. “Welcome, sir,” said he, “you have kept me waiting for long.” He took my hand and led me into a garden. It was really delightful there with fountains playing in the basins, canals rippling and the trees laden with various kinds of ripe fruits. Birds of many species were twittering in the trees. There was a grand pavilion in the centre of the garden and each apartment was elegantly furnished. We sat down in a beautiful saloon by a canal. After a while he left and presently returned in another rich dress. On seeing him I said, “What a beauty! May God save you from an evil eye!” He said, “Better if you also change.” To please him I did. He had managed well for my entertainment and provided for everything required for the occasion. He kept me warm company and his conversation was quite charming. Meanwhile, a cup-bearer appeared with a crystal cup and a flask of wine. Many delicacies were also served. We had had a few rounds of the sparkling wine when four young beautiful boys with their flowing tresses entered the saloon and began to sing and play. So delightful and absorbing were their songs that even Tansen would have forgotten his strains and, like Baiju Bawra, been driven to distraction on hearing them. While we were so absorbed, my host, the young merchant, with tears rolling down his cheeks, said, “Now we are good friends; and as no religion approves of keeping a secret from a friend, I frankly confide a secret in you. I have a mistress. With your permission, may I send for her here and thus exhilarate my heart with her presence? I cannot fully enjoy these pleasures without her.” He spoke so fondly of her that I too became anxious to see her. I said, “I only wish your pleasure. Nothing better than what you propose. In fact, there is no true enjoyment without one’s beloved. Without any further delay, you may, please, send for her.” The merchant made a sign towards the screen which was placed there and presently came in a black woman, as ugly as a witch. She took her seat by him. She was so ugly that one would die on seeing her without even being claimed by death. I was really frightened to see her and thought, “Is it really possible that this ugly woman is the beloved of such a handsome young man? And, is she really the one he had praised so much and so fondly spoken of?” However, I just cursed him for his taste and said nothing.
‘For three days and nights together we enjoyed the music and wine. On the fourth day I was exhausted and fell asleep. The merchant woke me up in the morning and after giving me a few cups to shake off the hangover said to his beloved, “Now, to trouble our guest any more is not fair.” Hand in hand, we stood up. I begged my leave. With great warmth he bade me farewell. I put on my dress and left for my place. I had never before stayed out of my house at night, leaving the lady alone. So I hesitated to face her after the absence of three days. I offered my apologies and told her all about the festivities and the merchant’s insistence on my keeping him company. As she knew the social etiquett
e she said, “Well, it doesn’t matter. You did the right thing. One can’t leave unless the host permits. But after having enjoyed the feast and the festivities there, will you let it be at that? Won’t you invite him to a feast in return? You should go to the merchant and bring him with you and treat him with hospitality twice as great as his. Do not worry about the means; everything will be easily arranged for and in a grand manner by the grace of God.”
‘So I went back to the merchant and said to him, “I accepted your invitation and enjoyed your hospitality. Now you too must give me an opportunity to entertain you.” He politely said, “I am entirely at your service, my friend.” I said, “It will be a great honour if you come along with me to my place now.” At first he was reluctant, but on my insistence he agreed. I took him to my place. But all the time on my way back I thought of my poor circumstances, saying to myself, “Had I the means, I too would have entertained him in a grand manner. I do not know what sort of a treat he is going to have.” Absorbed in such thoughts, I reached near my place with him. I was surprised to see the great bustle and preparations for a reception at the door. The street had been swept clean and sprinkled over with water. The guards with their clubs in hand stood alert. I wondered at this but since I knew it was my place I entered it. What I saw there puzzled me all the more. Rich carpets were spread in all the apartments; and there were big cushions, betel and scent boxes, flower vases, containers of rose-water to shower over the guest and silver spittoons—all properly placed. On the niches were placed crystal chinaware of different colours and shapes. On one side of the hall lamps glowed behind a bright screen of mica; on the other side they were arranged in the shapes of cypresses and lotuses. In the hall and the balcony camphor candles were lit on golden candlesticks, and glass shades studded with jewels were placed over them. Attendants stood in waiting. Some of them were busy cooking in huge pots in the kitchen. Fresh small earthen pitchers wrapped in clean fine cloth with small earthen pots on them were placed on silver stands in the water-chamber. There were also covered mugs and big cups set in ice and saltpetre to cool the water therein. They were nicely arranged in big round dishes on a low table.
