The youth said: "My story is indeed wondrous and cannot be mentioned at this time." My master adjured him not to hide anything of his affair. The youth said: "Since you have adjured me: I inform you that I performed the Pilgrimage five years ago, and I had a young maidservant with me. When we completed our Pilgrimage and rites and performed the Visitation, the maidservant fell ill, and necessity compelled me to remain. I had a large sum of money, so I bought a house to live in and a servant to serve me. I remained until all my wealth was exhausted and my state worsened. I needed to sell my belongings, so I sold them and spent the proceeds until I was left with nothing.
Necessity then drove me to sell some wood that was in my sitting room. I dismantled it and found in one of its corners a marble jar, covered. I opened it and found a small golden box1. Inside that box was a jewel; if I were to gather it with many of the jewels you have, it would surpass them in beauty and light. I rejoiced when I saw it and said to the maidservant: 'If I manifest this jewel while I am in this tattered state, it will be taken from me through injustice. However, I have formed a plan.' She said: 'And what have you seen?' I said to her: 'I shall sell this golden box and rectify my state with it, clothe myself in garments suitable for one like me, and seek out one of the kings of the time; that will be the cause of my wealth.'
The maidservant said to me: 'You have hit upon the right plan; do as you wish.' So I took the jewel and buried it in a spot in the house. I took the golden box and offered it for sale. A broker took it from me and went to the Sultan, showing it to him. He wished to gain favor with him and said: 'This is a box given to me by a weak man; I have no doubt that he found it or stole it, and you have more right to it. The man who gave it to me goes to extremes regarding Amir Al-muminin.'
The Prince ordered me to be brought. I was brought and he questioned me about the box. I informed him that I found it in my house and told him the story, but I did not mention the matter of the jewel. He sent