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Cast: Narrator Junaid the Woodcutter Amir the Merchant Bahlool the Wise Narrator: Baghdad was the capital of the Bani Abbas
Rulers. It was a big city with many colourful characters, rich and poor,
foolish and wise. Our story is about Junaid, a woodcutter. Junaid
survived by gathering wood outside Baghdad and selling it to its
citizens. Recently, however, he had fallen on hard times as he had
broken his arm and could not carry the wood. We join him as he wanders
in the rich section of Baghdad.... Junaid:
Oh dear! I wish this arm would heal up quickly. My money is all
finished and I am so hungry all the time. O Allah! Help me out of my
misery. Narrator: As Junaid walked around the houses of the
rich people of Baghdad he suddenly smelled the delicious odour of fine
food. It came from the house of Amir, a wealthy merchant, who was
entertaining some friends for dinner. Junaid:
Hmm! What a delicious smell. I wonder where it comes from. He sniffs around and finally locates the source of the smell. Junaid:
I do believe it is from this house. Oh! I could stand here all
day. The food must be delicious. I wonder if its mutton. I wonder if its
chicken. I wonder if there's any spare! Ah! The door is opening; perhaps
my luck is in. Amir:
Hey you! What are you doing hanging outside my window. What do
you want? Junaid:
Salaamun Alaykum, dear sir. My name is Junaid. I was just.... Amir:
Why are you sniffing away? Have you got a cold? Junaid:
Well, actually I was just standing here smelling the delicious
odour that was coming from your house. I haven't eaten properly for a
few days and I was wondering if by any chance.... Amir:
What cheek! I have some important guests inside. I have no time
for tramps. Junaid:
I am no tramp sir! I am a respectable woodcutter. Its just that
since I broke my arm things have been hard. Amir:
Respectable woodcutter! I've never heard such nonsense. I don't
like riff-raff who answer back to their betters. In fact, I was just
thinking that the food today didn't taste as good as usual. Now I know
why. You've sniffed all the scent away! Junaid:
I'm sure it tastes great. If I can sample some of it I can give
you a better opinion. Amir:
You are a crafty man. I am not going to let you get away with all
this insolence. I want 10 dirhams in payment of the scent which you
stole from my food. Junaid:
Be reasonable sir! If I had 10 Dirhams I would have bought some
food for myself. Amir:
10 Dirhams by tomorrow morning. If you do not bring the money in
time, I'll use my influence to run you out of town. Amir returns inside his house. Narrator: Junaid leaves Amir's house in shock. He is
sitting in the market place worrying about how to pay Amir, when along
comes Bahlool.... Junaid:
Where am I going to find 10 Dirhams by tomorrow? O Allah! Please
get me out of the clutches of this unreasonable man! Bahlool:
What seems to be the matter, brother? You look like you are
carrying the world's troubles on your shoulders. Junaid:
Thank you for your concern. I'm afraid I've got into trouble with
a mad man. Bahlool:
Well, then maybe I can help. Madness is a subject that I know a
bit about. Narrator: So Junaid tells Bahlool the entire episode
of his meeting with Amir. When he is finished, Bahlool says.... Bahlool:
Hmm. This man does seem to be an arrogant and greedy person.
People like that need a dose of their own medicine. Junaid:
But what can I do? He is very powerful. Bahlool:
Leave him to me. Meet me here tomorrow and we will go to see him. Narrator: The next morning Bahlool arrives in the
market place with a bag of money. Junaid accompanies him to Amir's
house. They knock on the door and Amir opens the door himself... Amir:
Ah, I see you came to your senses then. Who is your friend? Bahlool:
Salaam Alaykum. Junaid has been telling me of your meeting
yesterday. We have come to pay for the scent he stole. Amir:
Good, good. I'm glad you see the reasoning behind my argument. Bahlool:
Oh yes. The moment I heard what had happened, I understood the
validity of your claim. Amir:
You are a man after my own heart. Now, where are my 10 Dirhams? Bahlool:
Right here. Let me count them out. Bahlool take the coins from one bag and counts them into another. Bahlool:
Seven, eight, nine, ten. Here we are, 10 Dirhams. Amir:
Thank you very much... What are you doing? Bahlool:
You didn't think I was going to give you the money did you? You
didn't give Junaid any food yesterday either. All I want is for you to
hear the jingling of the coins. Bahlool swings the bag of coins next to Amir's ear. Amir:
What madness is this? Bahlool:
You have heard the coins, just as my friend smelled your food.
Think about it. Amir:
You are right. I was being thoughtless and bad mannered
yesterday. How can I make amends? Bahlool:
Well, how about hiring an honest man in your business? Junaid's
arm is going to be better soon, and he is a good worker. Amir:
Agreed. Junaid will work for me from now on. How about you. I can
use your cleverness. Bahlool:
Me? No, no. I am no use to you. Haven't you heard? I am a mad
man. |