THE SHEIK AND THE SAGE

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2, 14 January 1909, Page 77

THE SHEIK AND THE SAGE

The following pseudo-Arabian tale is taken from, a German paper : — The mighty Sheik Abdullah spake one day to the court sage, old Enekazi, as follows : — ' You are always ready to give sensible advice, O Enekazi; perhaps you could tell me which of my councillors are really sincere?' ' A very simple matter,' replied the sage, confidently. ' 1 will tell you at once, mighty sheik, how it is to be managed. Go and compose a long ballad this very day.' 'Stop!' interrupted the sheik. 'You forget that I am no poet.' ' That's just it, mighty sheik. Go and write at once a long ballad and read to your assembled councillors.' j • But, Enekazi, bear in mind that I never wrote a line of poetry iri my life.' 'So much the better. When you have, read the long ballad^ to your courtiers, you will judge of the effect yourself. To-morrow I will come again and learn of your observations.' The next day the wise Enekazi entered, saying: ' Did you follow my advice, mighty sheik ?' ' Certainly.' ' And what happened after you had read your ballad ?' inquired the old man, smiling. ' Oh, I was completely taken by surprise. One exclaimed that this was the long-sought-for ballad of the great poet Ibu Yemin ; another that I was a new bright luminary in the firmament of poetry; a third craved permission to cut off ' a small piece of my robe in memory of the. eventful occasion and the immortal b^rd. In a word, they were all in ecstasies, and praised my" ideas and my language up to the skies.' ' And what about old Henri Adin ?' eagerly questioned the sage. ' Ah, h© dropped to sleep while I was reading,'

' Ha, ha ! What did you conclude f rum that, mighty sheik? said the old man triumphantly. ' What conclusion could I come to,' replied the sheik, with some surprise, 'if not the same as all the rest — namely, that I possess very great talent for poetry?' Enekazi salaamed, lighted his chibouk, and— held his peace, for he was, in sopth, a wise, man.