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89-13 -
Conclusion of the Story
of the Hunchback
The
Tailor said - "When we heard the story of this Barber, we were
convinced of his unmannerly intrusion, and that the young man had been
treated unjustly by him, we seized upon him and put him in confinement.
Keeping watch over him, we ate and drank and the feast ended in the most
agreeable manner. We remained there till the afternoon prayer. When I went
to my house, my wife looked angrily at me and said - "You have been
enjoying all day and I am sitting here sorrowful; now if you will not take
me for the amusement for the remainder of the day, I will get separated
from you."
So I
took her out and we amused ourselves till night fell. When we were
returning home, we met this hunchback, full of drink and repeating verses,
so I invited him to come home with us and he agreed. I went to buy some
fried fish and we all ate. My wife took a morsel of bread and a piece of
fish and put them in his mouth. It choked him and he died. At this I took
him up and threw him into the house of the physician; and he threw him
into the house of the Steward and the Steward threw his body in the way of
the broker.
This
is the story of what has happened to me yesterday. Is it not more
wonderful than the story of hunchback."
When
the King heard this story, he ordered his Officers to go with the
Tailor and to bring the Barber, saying to them, "His presence is
absolutely necessary, so that I want to hear him what does he want to say,
and it may free you all too. Then we will bury this hunchback decently for
he has been dead since yesterday and we will make him a monument, since
because of him only we have come across so many wonderful stories.
On
the 34th Night
So the
officers, Tailor and Barber soon came back, The King saw that the Barber
was an old man, over 90 year old. He said to the Barber - "I wish
that you tell me your own stories." The Barber said - "O King,
What is the purpose of the presence of this Christian, this Jew, and this
Muslim and this hunchback lying dead among you; and why all these have been
gathered here?" The King asked - "Why do you ask this?" The
Barber said - "I ask this because the King may know me as an
unimportant person. I am fortunate in my characteristic name, As-Samit. I
am innocent."
The
King said - "Explain to the Barber the case of this hunchback, that
happened yesterday; and explain to him what the Christian, the Jew, the
Steward and the tailor have related." So they did that. The Barber said -
"By Allaah, Uncover this humpback that I may examine
him." And they did so. He then sat at his head and taking it up,
placed it upon his lap and looked at his face, and laughed so violently
that he fell backwards exclaiming, "For every death there is a cause
and the death of this hunchback is most wonderful. It is worthy to be
recorded in the notebook, and the future people may be instructed by this
event."
The
King got astonished at his words and said - "O Samit, Explain us
fully what are you saying." The Barber said - "O King, By your
grace, this hunchback is not yet dead." He then took out an ointment
and rubbed it on the neck of the humpback, and covered it until he
perspired. Then he took out an iron forceps and took out the piece of fish
with its bone from his throat. The hunchback sprang up upon his feet,
sneezed and recovered his consciousness. Everybody witnessed it.
The
hunchback exclaimed - "Allaah is Great." The King laughed and
other people also laughed with him. He said - "This accident is
wonderful, I have never witnessed anything more strange than this. And
listen you all. Has anyone of you see any one die and after that come to
life? God blessed him with this Barber, for the Barber has been the cause
of bringing him to life."
The
King then ordered to record this event. Then he bestowed the dress of
honor to each of them - the Jew, the Christian, the Muslim and the
Steward, the Barber, the Tailor and the hunchback. The Tailor, he appointed
his own tailor granting him regular allowances and reconciled between the
hunchback and the Tailor. He appointed the hunchback as his cup-companion.
He bestowed favors to Barber also. He appointed him as the state Barber
and his cup-companion. So they all lived in utmost happiness and comfort.
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