Page:Folk-lore of the Holy Land.djvu/195
your Highness to command others to lift it; and your Highness would be the greatest sufferer by the loss. “ Well, so be it,” said the Caliph, growing curious. With that he took hold of the sack, but could not move it. ‘ I cannot,” said he, ‘‘ it is much too heavy.” “In that case,” said the upright Judge, “as your Majesty finds that the weight of one sack of earth, which you are willing to restore to its rightful owners, is more than you can bear, you will pardon me for asking how you will bear the weight of this whole piece of land which you have taken by violence from the widow and the fatherless, and how you will answer for your injustice at the Day of Judgment ? ”
This stern but faithful reproof provoked the Caliph; but on a minute’s reflection, he said, “Praised be Allah, Who has given me so conscientious a servant. I restore the land to the widow and her son and, to compensate her for the tears she has shed through my fault, I remit all dues and taxes payable on this piece of land.”
A herd of camels happened to be passing an orchard, the owner of which was seated upon the “sinsileh” or rough stone fence. One of the animals, a very fine male, caught hold of the overhanging bough of a fruit tree and broke it off with his teeth. Hereupon the owner of the orchard snatched up a stone and threw it at the camel. The aim was unexpectedly true, and the beast fell dead. Its owner, stung to fury by the loss of his