Thousand & One Nights: 171st Night: The Wealthy Man & A Slave Girl 1

City of Baghdad.
Abul al Hasan ibn Tahir was a man of wealth and status.  But he was truthful, well-mannered, friendly and well-liked everywhere.  He was a visitor of Caliph's palace, and most of the Caliph's women and concubines used to go to him to fill their needs. He was also patronised by sons of princes and notable men, one of whom was the descendant of the Kings of Persia, a young man named 
Nur-al-Din Ali ibn-Bakkar. He was a perfect beauty, and grace. Moreover,
he was virtuous, wise, noble, generous and brave.  He was much attached to Abu al-Hasan ibn Tahir that he could not bear to leave him even for a moment.

One day, both Nur-al-Din and Abu al-Hasan had been sitting in his shop, there came ten full bosomed virgins, looking like full moons, with a young lady, riding on a grey she-mule with trappings of silk set with gems and pearls.  Her beauty, which put the full moon to shame, radiated all over her attendants, for she was like her of whom poet said:

She was created flawless, 
In beauty's mould, all charm 
And perfect grace, As if her 
Body was a liquid pearl
Like a moon in every limb.
Unique, and the scent of musk
The bough, her figure; moon her face.

She reached the shop and dismounted, walked gracefully towards the shop, and both the friends rose and kissed the ground before before her, ushered her into the shop and seated her on a silk cushion with golden stripes, and stood in attendance.  She adjured Abul al-Hasan to sit down. He sat below her, while she began to demand what she wanted.  Ali ibn Bakkar was confused, his face flushed and turned pale.  He tried to get up and go.  But she darted a flirtatious glance at him.

She said with a sweet smile, "Lord, I came to you, and when I please you you run away from me."

Again he kissed the ground before her and replied, "When I see you, I lose my senses, for as the poet says:

She is the sun that dwells in heaven 
Console your heart, let it be calm, 
Neither can you ascend to sun
Nor the sun can descend to you. 

She smiled. It was like a flash, and she said, "Abu al-Hasan, where did you find this young man and where does he come from?

Abu al-Hasan replied, "His name is Ali ibn-Bakkar and he is descendant of kings."
"Is he Persian?"
"Yes, my lady."
"When this maid of mine comes to you, take him with you and come to visit us, so that I may entertain you and him at home, so that he may not blame us and say that there are no generous people in Baghdad.  For niggardliness is the worst vice in man.  Do you hear what I am saying to you?  If you fail to come I will be displeased with you and will never speak to you again."

Abul Hasan replied, "My lady, far be it from me to disobey you, and may God preserve me from your displeasure."

She rose at once, and having captivated their minds, and captured their hearts, rode away leaving Ali Bin Bakkar behind, not knowing whether he was in heaven or earth.

As soon as the day ended, the maid came and said, "My lord, Abu al-Hasan, let us go......."

But morning overtook and Shahrazad lapsed into silence 








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