dare to manifest the jewel. I sought to be alone from him but found no way to do so. When that became long for me, I sat in one of the paths, and the youth sat beside me. I began to turn away from him while he turned toward me with his whole being.
When that became long for me, I said: 'O my master, I do not know in what light to take my affair with you. You have stuck to me with an adherence that makes me suspicious; let me know what you want from me?' He said to me: 'I am your brother who used to come to your maidservant and give her the food that reached you.' I said: 'And what brought you down to this state?' He said to me: 'I came to your maidservant and found she had died. That grieved me. I took charge of her preparation and buried her. The time I buried her was the heat of midday. Everyone who was with me departed, and I returned alone. A group of people came upon me, took my clothes, and took a money belt from my waist containing a thousand dirhams—nothing else remained with me. I returned in great grief for myself, and you were my greatest concern.
Today, I came to the prison to know your news and found you had been released. I came out to see you. When I saw you in this state, bewildered and lost, I had no doubt you were hungry, knowing of your isolation and poor state. I followed you in this manner hoping to see a man from whom I could seek a gift, take of his kindness, and give it to you, but that did not happen. This is the reason for my adhering to you.'
When I heard this from his speech, I wished him well and thanked him for his deed and intention. Then I adjured him by Allah not to leave his spot until I came to him. I rose and went to the Khorasanians, with the jewel with me. I entered among the tents, going around the markets, and saw a great, large tent with a pitched sail. I saw servants, camels, and chests. I saw a man sitting on a chair. I approached him and greeted him. He returned the greeting, and I gave him the jewel. He received it from me, contemplated it, and said to me: 'What do you choose?'