(原版)澳大利亞語文第六冊 LESSON 23
LESSON 23 PAID IN HIS OWN COIN
PAID IN HIS OWN COIN
In the reign of the Caliph [1] Haroun al Raschid, of happy memory, there lived in the city of Bagdad a celebrated barber, of the name of Ali Sakal. He was so famous for a steady hand and dexterity [2] in his profession [3] , that he could shave a head, and trim a beard and whiskers, with his eyes blindfolded, without once drawing blood. There was not a man of any fashion in Bagdad who did not employ him; and such a run of business had he, that at last he became proud and insolent, and would scarcely touch a head whose owner was not at least a Beg [4] or an Aga [5] .
Wood for fuel was always scarce and dear at Bagdad, and, as his shop consumed a great deal, the woodcutters brought their loads to him in preference, always sure of meeting with a ready sale.
It happened one day that a poor woodcutter, new in his profession, and ignorant [6] of the character of Ali Sakal, went to his shop, and offered him for sale a load of wood, which he had just brought from a considerable distance in the country, on his ass. Ali immediately offered him a price, making use of these words:
For all the wood that is upon the ass.
WHOEVER HEARD OF SUCH A BARGAIN?
The woodcutter agreed, unloaded his beast, and asked for the money. "You have not given me all the wood yet," said the barber; "I must have the pack-saddle (which is chiefly made of wood) into the bargain: that was our agreement."
How? said the other in amazement. "Whoever heard of such a bargain? It is impossible!"
In short, after many words and much altercation [7] , the overbearing barber seized the pack-saddle, wood and all, and sent away the poor peasant in great distress. He immediately ran to the cadi [8] , and stated his griefs; the cadi was one of the barber's customers, and refused to hear the case. The woodcutter went to a higher judge; he also patronized Ali Sakal, and made light of the complaint. The poor man then appealed to the mufti [9] himself, who, having pondered over the question, at length settled that it was too difficult a case for him to decide, no provision being made for it in the Koran, and, therefore, he must put up with his loss.
The woodcutter was not disheartened; but forthwith got a scribe [10] to write a petition to the Caliph himself, which he duly presented on Friday, the day when he went in state to the mosque [11] . The Caliph's punctuality in reading petitions is well known, and it was not long before the woodcutter was called to his presence. When he approached the Caliph, he kneeled and kissed the ground; and then, placing his arms straight before him, his hands covered with the sleeves of his cloak and his feet close together, he awaited the decision of his case.
Friend, said the Caliph, "the barber has words on his side— you have equity [12] on yours. The law must be defined by words, and agreements must be made in words; the former must have its course, or it is nothing; and agreements must be kept or there would be no faith between man and man; therefore the barber must keep all his wood." Then calling the woodcutter close to him, the Caliph whispered something in his ear, which none but he could hear, and then sent him away quite satisfied.
The woodcutter, having made his obeisances [13] , returned to his ass, which was tied without [14] , took it by the halter, and proceeded to his home. A few days after, he applied to the barber, as if nothing had happened between them, requesting that he, and a companion of his from the country, might enjoy the dexterity of his hand; and the price at which both operations were to be performed was settled.
When the woodcutter's crown had been properly shorn, Ali Sakal asked where his companion was.
He is just standing without here, said the other, "and he shall come in presently."
Accordingly he went out, and returned leading his ass after him by the halter.
This is my companion, said he, "and you must shave him."
Shave him! exclaimed the barber, in the greatest surprise. "It is enough that I have consented to demean [15] myself by touching you; and do you insult me by asking me to do as much to your ass? Away with you, or I'll send you both to Jericho." And forthwith he drove them out of his shop.
The woodcutter immediately went to the Caliph, was admitted to his presence, and related his case.
THE BARBER BEFORE THE CALIPH
'Tis well, said the commander of the faithful. "Bring Ali Sakal and his razors to me this instant," he exclaimed to one of his officers; and in the course of ten minutes the barber stood before him.
Why do you refuse to shave this man's companion? said the Caliph to the barber. "Was not that your agreement?"
Ali, kissing the ground, answered: "Tis true, O Caliph, that such was our agreement. But whoever made a companion of an ass before, or whoever before thought of treating it as a true believer?"
You may say right, said the Caliph, "but at the same time, who ever thought of insisting on a pack-saddle being included in a load of wood? No, no; it is the wood cutter's turn now. Shave the ass immediately, or you know the consequences." The barber was then obliged to prepare a large quantity of soap to lather the beast from head to foot, and to shave him in the presence of the Caliph and of the whole court, whilst he was jeered at and mocked by the taunts [16] and laughing of all the bystanders. The poor woodcutter was then dismissed with an appropriate [17] present of money, and all Bagdad resounded with the story, and celebrated the justice of the commander of the faithful.
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[1] Caliph: The head of the followers of Mohammed.
[2] dexterity: Skill.
[3] profession: Occupation, business.
[4] Beg (Bey): A man of high rank in Turkey.
[5] Aga: A title given to great chiefs in Turkey, especially the military commander-in-chief.
[6] ignorant: Uninformed, without knowledge.
[7] altercation: Argument.
[8] cadi: Judge.
[9] mufti: Higher law officer or magistrate.
[10] scribe: A writer of letters or documents.
[11] mosque: Temple.
[12] equity: Fairness.
[13] obeisance: A bow, act of respect.
[14] without: Outside.
[15] demean: Lower.
[16] taunts: Words and actions used to annoy a person by making fun of him.
[17] appropriate: Suitable.
