So the Khoja went down, and on his again saying "What dost thou
want?" the beggar began to beg, crying, "The Inciter of Compassion move
thee to enable me to purchase food for my supper! I am the guest of the
Prophet!" with other exclamations of a like nature.
"Come up-stairs," replied the Khoja, turning back into his house.
Well pleased, the beggar followed him, but when they reached the upper
room the Khoja turned round and dismissed him, saying, "Heaven supply
your necessities. I have nothing for you."
"O Effendi!" said the beggar, "why did you not tell me this whilst I was
below?"
"O Beggar!" replied the Khoja, "why did you call me down when I was
up-stairs?"
_Tale_ 15.--The Khoja Turned Nightingale.
One day the Khoja went into a garden which did not belong to him, and
seeing an apricot-tree laden with delicious fruit, he climbed up among
the branches and began to help himself.
Whilst he was eating the apricots the owner of the garden came in and
discovered him.
"What are you doing up there, Khoja?" said he.
"O my soul!" said the Khoja, "I am not the person you imagine me to be.
Do you not see that I am a nightingale? I am singing in the
apricot-tree."
"Let me hear you sing," said the gardener.
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