WHEN the sun was set, and the moon risen, Kho-jisteh went to the parrot for leave, and said, “I am sensible you do not trouble yourself about my un-easiness, and on that account do not dispatch me, but introduce tales.” The parrot said, “I wish to God, Khojisteh, that you would go speedily to your lover! You yourself make the delay; it is no fault of mine. Go quickly, to-night; but you must return soon, and do not covet any thing that is there; for inordinate desire is sinful, and who-soever is avaricious, will meet with the same fate as the brahmin.” Khojisteh said, “Tell me what is that story?”

The parrot began, “In a certain city was a rich brahmin, who, happening to become poor and des-titute, went a journey. One day he arrived in a desert, and saw a lion wallowing by the side of a pond, with a fox and a deer standing before him. The brahmin was confounded, and stood dreading the consequence. Suddenly the fox and deer espied the brahmin: they said to one another, If the lion sees, he will kill this poor helpless fellow; it is ad-viseable that we fall on some contrivance that the lion may not only spare his life, but grant him some donation. The deer and fox began blessing the lion, Your munificence is so renowned that a brahmin is come to-day, and is in hopes of a gift. The lion looked at the brahmin, told him to ap-proach, and shewed him great kindness. He saw, lying about, the gold and jewels of men who had been slain some time before; these he bestowed on the brahmin, and then gave him leave to depart. The brahmin arrived at his own house. Some days afterwards, the brahmin, thirsting for gold, went again to this lion. That day a wolf and some dogs were attending on the lion; when these saw the brahmin, they said, This man is exceedingly pre-sumptuous to appear before you uninvited. The lion was enraged, sprung up, and tore the brahmin in pieces.”

The parrot having concluded the story, said to Khojisteh, “If the brahmin had not been avaricious, he would not have lost his life; whosoever is covet-ous, falls into calamities. One watch of the night is still remaining, go quickly, meet your lover, and return.” Khojisteh stood up with intention to go; at that instant the cock crowed, and the dawn ap­pearing, her departure was delayed.