The Very Tall Turban of Ahmed Baba
Legend
Contributed by: T. Scott Smith
Olmec: One of the most famous
scholars of all time was Ahmed Baba. When the Khalif
of Morocco conquered the city of Timbuktu, Ahmed was captured and taken back to
Morocco in chains. One day the Khalif reviewed
the fate of his prisoners. The first prisoner trembled so hard that his
chains rattled. The guard pushed him forward, shouting, "Convicted
thief, served ten years and is to be freed today, sire!"
"Free him," thundered the
voice of the Khalif from behind the curtain,
"but first, ten more years. Next!"
Ahmed Baba stepped forward
fearlessly. "You must show yourself to speak to me," he said.
You could have heard a pomegranate drop.
"Why should I?"
"I can teach you many
things. Besides, it must be lonely back there."
Finally the Khalif
came out from behind the curtain. He was a short man with a very tall
turban. "You're right," he said. "It's lonely being
so mean." He gave Ahmed his very tall turban and set him free.
Your quest is to find the Very Tall Turban of Ahmed Baba and bring it back
here!
Kirk: Thanks, Olmec. Tell us,
where is the Very Tall Turban?
Olmec: The Very Tall Turban can be
found in the Observatory.