Zgodba o možu in zlatem krožniku

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Zgodba o možu in zlatem krožniku

It is also told that a man became so burdened with debt and so straitened in his circumstances that he left his wife and children and wandered away, not knowing where he went. He journeyed on until, after some time, he came to a city with lofty walls and magnificent buildings. He entered it humbled and broken, tormented by hunger and worn out with travel. As he passed along one of its streets, he saw a company of notables going somewhere and followed them until they entered a dwelling fit for kings. He went in with them, and they proceeded through it until they came to a man seated at the head of the hall in great state and splendor, surrounded by pages and servants, as though he were the son of a vizier. When he saw them, he rose to welcome them and received them with honor. The traveler was overcome with apprehension at all this and stood bewildered by what he saw. But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she ceased her permitted tale.

When it was the three hundred and forty-first night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that the traveler was overcome with apprehension and bewildered by the splendid building and the multitude of servants and attendants. He drew back, confused and distressed, fearing for his safety, until he found a place to sit alone, far from the company and out of everyone’s sight. While he sat there, a man appeared with four hunting dogs draped in silks and brocades, with gold collars and silver chains about their necks. He tethered each one in a separate place, then went away and returned with a golden dish for each dog, heaped with sumptuous food. He set a dish before each of them, then departed and left them. The traveler, driven by hunger, stared at the food and longed to approach one of the dogs and eat with it, but fear held him back. Then one of the dogs looked at him, and Almighty God inspired it to understand his plight. It drew back from its dish and beckoned to him. He came forward and ate his fill. When he was about to leave, the dog motioned for him to take the dish and the food remaining in it, pushing it toward him with its paw. He took it and left the house, and no one followed him. He traveled to another city, where he sold the dish and bought merchandise with the proceeds, then returned to his own country. There he sold his goods and paid off his debts. His livelihood flourished, and he came to enjoy great prosperity and abundant blessings. He remained in his own country for some time, then said to himself, “I must journey to the city of the owner of that dish, take him a fine and fitting gift, and repay him the price of the dish that one of his dogs bestowed upon me.” So he prepared a gift worthy of the man, took the price of the dish with him, and set out. He traveled for days and nights until he reached the city. Entering it, he sought to meet his benefactor and walked through its streets until he came to the man’s dwelling. But there he found only crumbling ruins and a raven croaking its lament, deserted halls and fortunes overturned, a place changed beyond recognition. His heart and spirit trembled, and he recited these verses:

The chambers stand bereft of all their hidden treasures, as hearts stand empty of wisdom and piety. The valley has changed: its gazelles are not those gazelles, nor does that sandy rise meet the eye as once it did. And these verses by another poet:

At dawn, the phantom of Su‘da came by night to stir me, while my companions slept in the wilderness. But when we woke to greet the vision that had passed, I saw an empty waste, and her dwelling far away. When the traveler had gazed upon those crumbling ruins and seen plainly what the hands of time had done to them, finding only traces of what had once stood there, the sight itself told him all he needed to know. He turned and saw a destitute man in a condition that made the skin shudder and would have moved a heart of stone to pity. “Good man,” he said, “what have time and fortune done to the master of this house? Where are its unveiled moons and shining stars? What calamity has befallen his dwelling, leaving nothing but its walls?” The man replied, “He is this wretch you see before you, groaning under the afflictions that have overtaken him. But do you not know that the words of the Messenger contain a lesson for those who follow his example and an admonition for those who seek guidance? For he said, may God bless him and grant him peace, ‘Truly, God Most High never raises anything in this world without bringing it low.’ If you ask what brought matters to this pass, there is nothing strange in the reversals of fortune. I am the master of this place, its founder, owner, and builder, the master of its unveiled moons, its splendid state, its glittering treasures, and its lovely slave girls. But time turned against me, swept away my servants and wealth, and reduced me to the condition in which you see me. It overwhelmed me with calamities it had held in store. Yet there must be some reason for your inquiry. Tell me what it is, and put aside your wonder.” With sorrow and a choking heart, the traveler told him the whole story. “I have brought you a gift,” he said, “such as any soul might covet, together with the price of the dish I took. For it was the means of making me rich after poverty, restoring my desolate household to prosperity, and delivering me from anxiety and distress.” The man shook his head and wept, moaned and lamented, then said, “Good man, I think you must be mad, for no sensible person would do such a thing. How could one of our dogs generously bestow a golden dish upon you, only for me to take it back? It would indeed be strange for me to reclaim what my dog had given, even were I in the direst misery and distress. By God, I will accept nothing from you, not so much as a nail paring. Return whence you came, in health and peace.” The traveler kissed his feet and went away, praising him. As he took his leave, he recited this verse:

Men and dogs alike have passed away; peace be upon men and dogs. And God knows best.