Arabian Nights: 220th Night: Anis al Jalis, The Slave Girl - 20

The following night Shahrazad said:

I heard, O happy King, that the fisherman happened to look back and suddenly saw the Caliph.  His when body began to tremble and he said, "O Commander of the Faithful, I did not do this because, I took your commandment lightly, but because of my poverty and need drove me to do it."  The Caliph said, "Do not be afraid, cast the net for me."

The fisherman cast the net.  When he pulled it up he found in it various kinds of fish.  The Caliph was pleased, and said, "Pick out the salmon, and clean them."  The fisherman did as he bade.  The Caliph said, "Take off your clothes," and the fisherman took a robe sewen in ninety patches and a turban.  The Caliph took the fisherman's clothes and put them on, saying to him,  "Put on my clothes."  The fisherman did so.  Then the Caliph veiled his face, and said to the the fisherman, "Go on your business."  Then, he took a clean basket and covered the bottom with green leaves and placed the fish inside.  Then he went back and stood before Ja'far, who took him for a fisherman, but when the Caliph began to laugh, Ja'far recognised him, and asked, "Are you the Commander of the Faithful?" and he said, "Yes."
Then he added, "Stay here until I return."

The Caliph went up to the palace door and knocked.  Nur al-Din said, "Shaikh, there is a knocking at the door."  The old man cried out, "Who is there?" and the Caliph replied, "I, Karim, the fisherman.  I heard that you have guests and brought you some fish." 

Nur al-Din and Anis al Jalis were happy at the mention of fish, and said to the old man, For our sake, please open the door and let him bring us the fish."  The old man opened the door, and Caliph disguised as fisherman stood before him.  The old man greeted him, "Welcome you, gambling thief!  Show us what you have." The Caliph in disguise of fisherman showed them the fish. The girl said, "By God, these are fine fish."  Shaikh Ibrahim said to him, "Why didn't you bring us the fish ready fried; what shall we do with them?  Go, fry them and bring back," yelled, Shaikh Ibrahim.  The Caliph in disguise of fisherman went out running until he came up to Ja'far and said, "O Ja'far,"  and the Vizier asked, "What is the good news, O Commander of the Faithful?"  The Caliph said, "They want the fish fried."
Ja'far said, "I will fry them."
The Caliph replied, "By the tomb of my father and forefathers, none shall fry, but I, with my own hands."

The Caliph went to the keeper's hut, where he found everything he needed to salt and marjoram.  Then he placed the frying pan on the stove, lighted the fire, and when the pan got hot poured some sesame oil into the pan and placed the seasoned fish into the pan, and fried them.  Then he added lemon and radishes, carried the dish back to the palace, and set it before them. When they have had the fried fish, Nur al-Din said, "Fisherman, well prepared, you have done a great job."  Then he put his hand in his pocket, and took out a paper purse.

But morning overtook and Shahrazad lapsed into silence.



Note:-
1. marjoram: Aromatic southern European plant of mint family, the leaves of which are used for culinary purposes.







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