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load of dates to the place of origin, and decided this timeto buy corn which was dearer there than in his own country.This he was going to pour openly into the hold. But whenhe wished to set sail war had broken out between his countryand the neighbouring one and he had to wait six monthsbefore peace was signed and he could return home. Mean-while plague and locusts had destroyed the harvest andagain he realised a large fortune. This time he gave up theattempt to fight against Providence.

439. A pious and rich man had an only son. He was amerchant but for a long time the son showed no wish totrade. Urged by his friends, he one day asked his father togive him 1000 dinars with which to travel abroad and trade.He came to a town and found the people in great uproar.A pious and good man had died but his creditors would notallow him to be buried until his debts had been paid. Afire had destroyed his warehouse and therefore he had beenunable to pay. The young man paid the debts and gave hima proper burial, spending the 1000 dinars on it. On his returnhis father was quite satisfied. Again he took 1000 dinars andwent away to trade. This time he ransomed a captive girland paid 1000 dinars for her and brought her home. Hisfather was again satisfied. The girl grew up and they be-came betrothed. She was the daughter of a king and theyoung man asked his father to allow them to go to herparents to abtain their consent to be married. It was a verydistant country but at last the father agreed. They sailedfor 30 days when the ship foundered not far from theshore. All were drowned except these two. A fishermangot hold of them and dragged them to the strand. He thentold them to go to an inn, to send messengers to the kingand on the eighth day of the wedding to come at midnightto the same spot bringing with them picks, shovels, planksof wood and a straw mat. Everything happened as he hadforetold and at midnight on the eighth day all suddenly fellasleep except these two who came to the spot where theman was waiting for them. He told them to dig a deep