and if you knew the reason, you would agree with me that the punishment is very slight.”
The caliph, unwilling to be detained any longer, yielded to the importunity of the blind man, and gave him a very slight blow; whereupon the beggar thanked and blessed him.
The next day, the caliph called the grand vizier. “I must see that unfortunate beggar,” said he. “Go and tell him to come to my palace.”
When afternoon prayers were over the blind man accord-
206
