and let him go seek his living for himself, for that I am grown
an old woman and have no strength left to toil and provide for
the maintenance of a fellow like this. [FN#184] By Allah, I get
mine own livelihood, I that need one who shall maintain
me." [FN#185]

Therewithal the Maugrabin turned to Alaeddin and said to him,
"How is this, O son of my brother? It is a disgrace to thee to go
vagabonding about in this abjection. This befitteth not men like
thee. Thou art gifted with understanding, O my son, and the child
of [reputable] folk; [FN#186] I and it is a shame upon thee that
thy mother, who is an old woman, should toil for thy maintenance,
now thou art grown a man. Nay, it behoveth thee get thee some
means whereby thou mayst maintain thyself, O my son. See, by
God's grace, (praised be He) here in our city be masters of
crafts, nowhere is there a place more abounding in them: choose,
then, the craft which pleaseth thee and I will establish thee
therein, so that, when thou growest up, O my son, thou mayst find
thee thy craft whereby thou shalt live. Belike thou hast no mind
to thy father's trade; so choose other than it. Tell me the craft
which pleaseth thee and I will help thee in all that is possible,
O son of my brother." Then, seeing that Alaeddin was silent and
answered him nothing, he knew that he had no mind to any craft at
all and recked of nothing but vagabondage and said to him, "O son
of my brother, be not abashed at me; [FN#187] if so be
withal [FN#188] thou caress not to learn a trade, I will open thee
a merchant's shop of the costliest stuffs and thou shalt make
thyself acquainted with [FN#189] the folk [FN#190] and shalt give
and take and sell and buy and become known in the city."