Thousand & One Nights: 201st Night: Anis al Jalis, The Slave Girl-1

Basrah was a port city on the northern coast of Persian channel. It was on the mouth of Shatt al Arab river. In the bygone days a benevolent and popular Chief ruled that city.  He was as bountiful as the sea that even the proud were glad to be his servant.  He was a man who rejoiced in sharing the wealth with others.

His name was Muhammad ibn Sulaiman Al Zainabi.  He had two viziers: al-Mu'in ibn-Sawi and Fadl al-Din ibn-Khaqan.  The latter was a very generous man of his time, equalled by none in purity of heart and nobility of conduct.  All the people loved him. Women at home wished him long life, for he prevented evil and did good.

al-Mu'in ibn-Sawi, on the other hand was most avaricious, the meanest, the most vicious and the most foolish of men, who always spoke vilely and acted shamefully.  He was cunning than fox.  The people hated him vehemently.

One day, King Muhammad ibn-Sulaiman al-Zainabi was on his throne, surrounded by his officers. Vizier Fadl ibn-Khaqan was in the front row.  The king said, "Fadl al-Din, I wish to have a slave girl of unsurpassed beauty, wisdom and grace."

His courtiers and and chief counselors were of opinion that such a girl cannot be procured without ten thousand dinars. 
The king cried out to his treasurer, "Give ten thousand dinars to Fadl al-Din ibn-Khaqan."

The treasurer did as commanded by the King.  Taking the money, the vizier went to the slave market. He met a group of prominent merchants, and bade them that every beautiful slave girl coming to the market be shown the vizier before being sold.

But morning overtook and Shahrazad lapsed into silence.

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