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and asked him to find out which was the son of the Jewand which of the minister. The rabbi told him to bringgrapes, some still on the bunch and the others picked singlyand put in a basket. He who took the bunch would be theJew and so it happened. The king asked the rabbi thereason and was told," The Jews cluster together like thegrapes in a bunch. They must keep together whilst theothers live separately and therefore the Jew took hold of thebunch and the other of the single grapes."

431. A Jewish merchant sold his wares in a distant landat great profit. A man who had noticed it returned homewith him in the caravan and induced him to remain a littlebehind. Then he robbed him of all he possessed and wason the point of killing him, saying," If I spare your life youare sure to tell." When the Jew was dying he saw a bird ona tree, and said," This bird will bear witness against you."The man went away with all the money and becomingricher became a favourite of the king. One day a dish wasbrought to the table of a rare bird shot by a hunter. On thecover being removed the man recognised the same birdand he laughed. The king pressed for an explanation andthe man had to tell the truth whereupon the king orderedhim to the hanged and the property returned to the familyof the murdered man.

432. A pious man, travelling, saw a cave in the mountainsand on entering, found a pool of water and behind it anothersmall dark cavern. He went thither and was on the pointof returning when he saw a man come who undressed andplunged into the pool. Then he dressed, said his prayersand went away. Whilst undressing his purse fell to theground where it remained unnoticed. No sooner had thefirst man left, than a second man came in, saw the purse,picked it up and ran away. Immediately after a third mancame in, who also undressed and bathed. While he wasdressing the first man came back and asked for the purse;he had meanwhile noticed his loss. In spite of the thirdman's protestations of innocence, the first man killed him.