The Merchant and the Genie

Long ago, there lived a merchant who was very rich. He had a lot of merchandise, property and money too. He went to many lands trading his merchandise.
One day, he had to set off on a journey to a distant land. On the way, he had to pass through a desert where no food was available. So, he was carrying some biscuits and dates to eat on the way.
When he finished his business, he returned home riding his horse through the desert once more. Feeling hot and tired, he stopped at an oasis to rest and drink water. He tethered his horse near by and then, sitting under a shady walnut tree, he ate the dates and flung the seeds aside. Then he washed his hands and face and drank water from the pool.
Suddenly, a huge genie arrived and stood before him looking ferocious. In his hand was a sharp sword.

“You have killed my son!” said the genie, “And you will pay the price for it! I shall kill you!”
“But how is that possible?” exclaimed the frightened merchant, “I have been sitting here harmlessly eating my food for long!”
“You threw the seeds of the dates you were eating,” said the genie, “One of them hit my son in the eye and killed him! You must pay with your life.”
“Sir, I do not know your son and I would not harm him deliberately!” said the merchant, “Please spare my life!”
The merchant begged and pleaded with the genie. But it was all in vain. The genie was determined to kill him.
“Sir, let me go home and meet my wife and children. I wish to say goodbye to them!” pleaded the merchant, “I will also write my will and set all the things in order in my household. Then I shall return at the end of one year and you may punish me as you choose. I promise you!”

It was not easy to convince the genie who was sure that the merchant would never return if he allowed him to go now. But when the merchant repeatedly promised the genie, weeping all the while, he finally agreed to let him go.
“But remember,” warned the genie, “that you have to return after a year. Otherwise, I shall come and destroy you and everyone else!”
The merchant got onto his horse and returned to his home in a miserable condition. He told his family what had happened and about the promise he had made to the genie. There was great sorrow and wailing in his house.
Then he set all his affairs in order, wrote his will to divide his property, settled his debts and completed everything that was necessary to make his family comfortable.
Finally, he bade them goodbye and carrying his burial clothes in a bundle, he returned to the oasis. He sat down under the tree to wait for the genie. As he waited, an old man came there with a hind.

“This is a dangerous place to rest,” said the old man, “Why are you sitting here?”
The old man was so interested hearing the story of the merchant that he too sat down to wait for the genie.
“This is very strange,” said the old man, “I must stay and watch what happens.” He tied the hind to a tree and sat down beside the merchant under a tree.
Soon they were joined by an old man with two black dogs and another old man leading a mule. They too learnt the story of the merchant and settled down under the tree to await the genie.
Everyone wanted to see the outcome of this strange meeting. In a while, they saw a large cloud of dust on the horizon. It came closer and closer and from it emerged the genie carrying his sword.

He had come to kill the merchant to avenge the death of his son. The three old men begged the genie to spare the life of the merchant.
After much persuasion, the genie said they must each tell him a strange story. If he found it more strange than the merchant’s, then he would definitely pardon one-third of his offence.
So each old man told a story about the companion he had with him. The first old man told a story about the hind and the second one about the two black dogs.

The genie found each story more strange and remarkable than the story of the merchant and with each one he forgave the merchant for one-third of his offence. Thus, by the time the genie had heard the third story, the merchant was granted forgiveness. Thanking the genie and the three old men for their kindness, the merchant was able to go back home hale and hearty!

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