The Arabian Nights Entertainments, vol 1 | Page 9

advice in very good part, and owned he was much
obliged to him. "Dear Sprightly," added he, "I will not fail to do as you
direct, and you shall see how I will acquit myself." Here ended their
conversation, of which the merchant lost not a word.
Early the next morning the labourer went for the ox. He fastened him to
the plough and conducted him to his usual work. The ox, who had not
forgotten the ass's counsel, was very troublesome and untowardly all
that day, and in the evening, when the labourer brought him back to the
stall, and began to fasten him, the malicious beast instead of presenting
his head willingly as he used to do, was restive, and drew back
bellowing; and then made at the labourer, as if he would have gored
him with his horns. In a word, he did all that the ass had advised him.
The day following, the labourer came as usual, to take the ox to his
labour; but finding the stall full of beans, the straw that he had put in
the night before not touched, and the ox lying on the ground with his
legs stretched out, and panting in a strange manner, he believed him to
be unwell, pitied him, and thinking that it was not proper to take him to
work, went immediately and acquainted his master with his condition.
The merchant perceiving that the ox had followed all the mischievous
advice of the ass, determined to punish the latter, and accordingly
ordered the labourer to go and put him in the ox's place, and to he sure
to work him hard. The labourer did as he was desired. The ass was
forced to draw the plough all that day, which fatigued him so much the
more, as he was not accustomed to that kind of labour; besides he had
been so soundly beaten, that he could scarcely stand when he came
back.
Meanwhile, the ox was mightily pleased; he ate up all that was in his
stall, and rested himself the whole day. He rejoiced that he had
followed the ass's advice, blessed him a thousand times for the kindness
he had done him, and did not fail to express his obligations when the
ass had returned. The ass made no reply, so vexed was he at the ill
treatment he had received; but he said within himself, "It is by my own
imprudence I have brought this misfortune upon myself. I lived happily,
every thing smiled upon me; I had all that I could wish; it is my own
fault that I am brought to this miserable condition; and if I cannot

contrive some way to get out of it, I am certainly undone." As he spoke,
his strength was so much exhausted that he fell down in his stall, as if
he had been half dead.
Here the grand vizier, himself to Scheherazade, and said, "Daughter,
you act just like this ass; you will expose yourself to destruction by
your erroneous policy. Take my advice, remain quiet, and do not seek
to hasten your death." "Father," replied Scheherazade, "the example
you have set before me will not induce me to change my resolution. I
will never cease importuning you until you present me to the sultan as
his bride." The vizier, perceiving that she persisted in her demand,
replied, "Alas! then, since you will continue obstinate, I shall be
obliged to treat you in the same manner as the merchant whom I before
referred to treated his wife a short time after."
The merchant understanding that the ass was in a lamentable condition,
was desirous of knowing what passed between him and the ox,
therefore after supper he went out by moonlight, and sat down by them,
his wife bearing him company. After his arrival, he heard the ass say to
the ox "Comrade, tell me, I pray you, what you intend to do to-morrow,
when the labourer brings you meat?" "What will I do?" replied the ox,
"I will continue to act as you taught me. I will draw back from him and
threaten him with my horns, as I did yesterday: I will feign myself ill,
and at the point of death." "Beware of that," replied the ass, "it will ruin
you; for as I came home this evening, I heard the merchant, our master,
say something that makes me tremble for you." "Alas! what did you
hear?" demanded the ox; "as you love me, withhold nothing from me,
my dear Sprightly." "Our master," replied the ass, "addressed himself
thus to the labourer: ‘Since the ox does not eat, and is not able to work,
I would have him killed to-morrow, and we will give his flesh as an
alms to the