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It is also told that in ancient times, in ages long past, there was a king in the land of India, a mighty sovereign, tall of stature, handsome in appearance, virtuous in character, and generous by nature. He was charitable to the poor and loved his subjects and all the people of his realm. His name was Jali‘ad, and seventy-two kings were subject to him. His dominions had three hundred and fifty judges, and he had seventy viziers. Over every ten men in his army he had appointed a captain. His chief vizier was a man named Shimas, who was twenty-two years old, upright in character and disposition, gentle in speech, shrewd in his replies, and skilled in all his affairs. Despite his youth, he was a wise counsellor, an able administrator, and a leader, versed in every branch of wisdom and learning. The king loved him dearly and favoured him for his eloquence, his mastery of language, his knowledge of statecraft, and the compassion and humility toward the people with which God had endowed him.

This king ruled his realm justly and protected his subjects, continually bestowing kindness upon high and low alike, together with such care, gifts, security, and peace of mind as befitted them. He lightened the taxes of all his people, loved both great and small, and treated them with kindness and compassion. In the excellence of his conduct toward them, he surpassed all who had come before him. Yet for all this, God Most High had granted him no child, and this weighed heavily upon him and upon the people of his kingdom. Now it happened that one night the king lay pondering the future of his realm, until sleep overcame him, and he dreamed that he was pouring water at the root of a tree. But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When the nine hundredth night came

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate King, that the king dreamed he was pouring water at the root of a tree, and around that tree stood many others. Suddenly a fire sprang from it and burned all the trees surrounding it. At this the king awoke from his sleep in terror and alarm. He summoned one of his pages and said, “Go quickly and bring me Shimas the vizier at once.” The page went to Shimas and said, “The king summons you this very hour, for he has awakened from sleep in terror and has sent me to bring you to him without delay.” On hearing the page’s words, Shimas rose that very instant and went to the king. Entering, he found him sitting upon his bed, and prostrated himself before him, praying that his glory and blessings might endure. Then he said, “May God spare you sorrow, O King. What has troubled you tonight, and why have you summoned me in such haste?” The king gave him leave to sit, and he sat down. Then the king began to relate what he had seen, saying, “Tonight I had a dream that filled me with dread. It seemed to me that I was pouring water at the root of a tree, and around it stood many other trees. While I was thus occupied, a fire suddenly sprang from the root of that tree and burned all the trees around it. I was seized with fear and terror, and awoke. Then I sent for you because of your great knowledge, and because I know how broad is your learning and how profound your understanding.”

Shimas bowed his head for a while, then smiled. The king said to him, “What have you discerned, Shimas? Tell me truthfully, and hide nothing from me.” Shimas answered, “O King, God Most High has bestowed His favour upon you and given you cause for joy. This vision foretells every good thing: God Most High will grant you a son who, after your long life, will inherit your kingdom. Yet there is something concerning him that I would rather not interpret now, for this is not the proper time to explain it.” The king rejoiced greatly at this, and his delight increased, his fear departed, and his heart was eased. He said, “If the dream indeed bears so fair an interpretation, then complete it for me when the proper time comes. What ought not to be explained now, you must explain when its hour arrives, so that my joy may be complete; for in this I seek nothing but the pleasure of God, glorified and exalted be He.” When Shimas saw that the king was determined to have the full interpretation, he offered an excuse to shield himself. Thereupon the king summoned the astrologers and all the interpreters of dreams in his kingdom. They all appeared before him, and he related the dream to them, saying, “I wish you to tell me its true interpretation.” One of them stepped forward and asked the king’s leave to speak. When permission was granted, he said, “Know, O King, that your vizier Shimas is not unable to interpret this dream. Rather, out of deference to you, he soothed your fears and did not reveal its full meaning. But if you give me leave to speak, I will do so.” The king replied, “Speak without reserve, interpreter, and tell the truth.” The interpreter said, “Know, O King, that you will beget a son who, after your long life, will inherit your kingdom. But he will not deal with your subjects as you have done. Instead, he will depart from your ways and oppress your people, and what befell the mouse with the cat will befall him.” And he sought refuge in God Most High. The king said, “What is the story of the cat and the mouse?”