he will give thee two dinars; but do thou return them also and so
do with everything he may offer thee; and take naught from him,
though he give thee the fish's weight in gold. Then will he say
to thee, 'Tell me what thou wouldst have,' and do thou reply, "By
Allah, I will not sell the fish save for two words!' He will
ask, 'What are they?' and do thou answer, 'Stand up and say,
'Bear witness, O ye who are present in the market, that I give
Khalifah the fisherman my ape in exchange for his ape, and that I
barter for his lot my lot and luck for his luck.' This is the
price of the fish, and I have no need of gold.' If he do this, I
will every day give thee good-morrow and good-even, and every day
thou shalt gain ten dinars of good gold; whilst this one-eyed,
lame-legged ape shall daily give the Jew good-morrow, and Allah
shall afflict him every day with an avanie [FN#199] which he must
needs pay, nor will he cease to be thus afflicted till he is
reduced to beggary and hath naught. Hearken then to my words; so
shalt thou prosper and be guided aright." Quoth Khalifah, "I
accept thy counsel, O monarch of all the monkeys! But, as for
this unlucky, may Allah never bless him! I know not what to do
with him." Quoth the ape, "Let him go [FN#200] into the water,
and let me go also." "I hear and obey," answered Khalifah and
unbound the three apes, and they went down into the river. Then
he took up the cat-fish [FN#201] which he washed then laid it in
the basket upon some green grass, and covered it with other; and
lastly shouldering his load, set out chanting the following
Mawwal, [FN#202]

"Thy case commit to a Heavenly Lord and thou shalt safety see; *
Act kindly through thy worldly life and live repentance-
free.