A Fox was once carrying home to his young a leveret which he had caught by stealth. On his way he met a Wolf, who said to him, “I am very hungry, and I hope you will not refuse me a taste of your prey.”
“In the name of God,” cried the Fox, “eat your fill; but leave me a fragment for the supper of my little ones.”
The Wolf, however, swallowed the dainty morsel at a mouthful. Although the Fox was very angry he said in a humble voice: “I am glad that your appetite is so good. Farewell. Perhaps some day I will gain for you another meal of equal sweetness.”
When they parted the Fox began to plot how he might revenge himself upon his enemy the Wolf. Now it happened that a Shepherd’s Dog came to the Fox for advice. He asked him how he should destroy the Wolf, who every night kept robbing his master’s folds.
“That is an easy matter,” replied the Fox. “You must put on a wolf’s skin, so that when the Wolf sees you he will make up to you without fear, and then you can seize him by the throat and strangle him.”
The Wolf also came to the Fox for counsel.
“The Shepherd’s Dog,” he complained, “barks when I approach the fold, and the sticks and stones of the shepherds often give me a severe mauling. How shall I be able to kill him?”
“That is easy,” said the Fox; “put on a sheep’s skin, enter the fold with the flock, and lie down with them. At midnight you can strangle the Dog unawares, afterward feast as much as you like.”
Then the Fox went back to the Dog and told him to look out for the Wolf disguised as a Sheep.
When night came the Wolf entered the fold dressed like a sheep, and had no fear, for he saw no dog, but only a wolf at the door. But the Dog saw the fierce eyes of the Wolf and flew at his throat. Meanwhile the shepherds heard the noise, and as they saw a wolf mangling a sheep, they laid on the Dog’s back with their heavy staves until he died, but not before he had strangled the Wolf.
This fable shows how unwise it is to seek help from people without principle.
THE MAGISTRATES
BY
MIRZA FETH-ALI AKHOUD ZAIDÉ
[Translated by Epiphanius Wilson, A.M.]
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ
| Sekiné-Khanoun, a young lady of eighteen, sister of the late Hadji-Ghafour. | |
| Aziz-Bey, the lover and fiancé of Sekiné-Khanoun. | |
| Zobeide, paternal aunt of Sekiné-Khanoun. | |
| Zeineb-Khanoun, mistress of the late Hadji-Ghafour. | |
| Aga-Abbas, brother of Zeineb. | |
| Aga-Selman, son of the sieve-maker, advocate of Sekiné-Khanoun. | |
| Aga-Meradan, son of the confectioner, advocate of Zeineb. | |
| Aga-Hassam, a merchant. | |
| Aga-Kerim, chief of the courtiers. | |
| Goul-Sebah, servant of Sekiné-Khanoun. | |
| The President of the Tribunal. | |
| Aga-Rehim, | —Assessors of the Tribunal. |
| Aga-Djebbar, | |
| Aga-Bechin, | |
| Aga-Settar, | |
| The Inspector of the Market. | |
| Hepou, | —witnesses for Zeineb. |
| Cheida, | |
| Qourban Ali, | |
| Hanife, | |
| Bedel, | —soldiers, witnesses for Sekiné-Khanoun. |
| Quhreman, | |
| Ghaffer, | |
| Nezer, | |
| The Chief of the Bailiffs. | |
| Eced, domestic to the President of the Tribunal. | |
| Nasser, a lackey. | |
| A seven months’ old infant. | |
THE MAGISTRATES
Sekiné-Khanoun, sister of Hadji-Ghafour, is discovered standing before the window; she calls to her servant, Goul-Sebah.
Sekiné-Khanoun. Goul-Sebah! Goul-Sebah!
Goul-Sebah [entering the room]. Here I am, madame. What do you wish?
Sekiné-Khanoun. Have you not heard of the trouble which my shameless sister-in-law is bringing upon me, Goul-Sebah?
Goul-Sebah. No, madame. How could I hear about it?
Sekiné-Khanoun. She has given notice to the President of the Tribunal that she objects to his paying over to me the money which my brother had placed in his hands for me. She claims that this sum should revert to her. Good heavens! Goul-Sebah, was ever such a case heard of? I do not know what sin I have committed against God, but things always fall out unluckily for me.
Goul-Sebah. Whatever put such ideas in your head, madame? Why should things fall out unluckily for you?
Sekiné-Khanoun. As you are aware, Goul-Sebah, I am desperately in love with Aziz-Bey. For two whole years did the unhappy youth in vain beseech my brother to give him my hand; my brother would not consent, because Aziz-Bey is the son of a heretic, and an officer of government. But now that my brother is dead, and I am free to dispose of my hand as I choose, I wish to enter into possession of the money which he has left me, to provide for my wants in peace, and to fulfil the vow of my heart. And lo and behold, this shameless sister-in-law has protested against the payment of the legacy! We must therefore have all the worry of a lawsuit.
