Page:Swahili tales.djvu/335

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SELL DEAR.
315

are true." And he said, "Give me the meaning, Vizir, of those four parts."

And he said, "In the first place, Sultan, one part was sunk in the sea, and one part set on fire, and one was lent and he will not be repaid, and one he paid and has not finished his payment."

And he said, "Yes, Vizir, certainly your words are true." And he said, "Give me the meaning of the one part being sunk in the sea."

And he said, "It is the property with which Ali went into dissipation outside, and that property was lost; that was the meaning of saying that one part had gone into the sea."

And he said, "Yes, Vizir, certainly that word is true." And the Sultan said, "That money, after it has been sent to women, money is not to be had again; his words are true, it is as if it had gone into the sea. Give me also the meaning of the second part, which was set on fire; give me its meaning."

And the Vizir said, "Ali ate much, and dressed much, and spent much; that is the meaning of setting that property on fire; it returns not again into his hands."

And the Sultan said, "Yes, certainly these words are true, for the property, when you have finished buying food, and you have bought fine clothes, and put them on, the property is lost, and never returns. Ali has spoken his words truly, it is as if it had been set on fire." And he said, "Tell me, Vizir, about the meaning of the third part."

And the Vizir said, "The third part he had lent and will not be repaid." And he said, "What is the meaning of lending this property, and he will not be repaid?" And the Vizir said, "It is the property that he gave to send a dowry to his wife. When you leave her, she does