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FOLK-LORE OF THE HOLY LAND

VII

JUDGEMENTS OF KARAKASH

A weaver, closing his shop for the night, left a long needle sticking in his work on the loom. A thief got in with a false key, and, as he was stumbling about in the dark, the needle put out one of his eyes. He went out again, and locked the door behind him.

Next morning, he told his story to Karakash, the impartial judge, who at once sent for the weaver, and eyeing him sternly, asked:—

“Did you leave a packing-needle in the cloth on your loom when you shut your shop last night?”

“Yes.”

“Well, this poor thief has lost his eye through your carelessness ; he was going to rob your shop; he stumbled, and the needle pierced his eye. Am I not Karakash, the impartial judge? This poor thief has lost an eye through your fault; so you shall lose an eye in like manner.”

“But, my lord,” said the weaver, “he came to rob me; he had no right there.”

“We are not concerned with what this robber came to do, but with what he did. Was your shop-door broken open or damaged this morning; or was anything missing?”

“No.”

“He has done you no harm then, and you do but add insult to injury by throwing up his way of

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