nd retired to the
capital city of that kingdom, which was not far distant. He bought a
little spot of ground which lay about half a league from the city; he
had a house convenient enough, with a fine garden, and a pretty spacious
court, wherein was a deep well, which was not in use.

The honest man, having made this purchase, put on a dervise's or monk's
habit, to lead a retired life, and caused several cells to be made in
the house, where, in a short time, he established a numerous society of
dervises; he came soon to be publicly known by his virtue, through
which he acquired the esteem of a great many people, as well of the
commonalty, as of the chief of the city. In short, he was extremely
honoured and cherished by every one. People came from afar to recommend
themselves to his prayers; and all those who came to live with him
published what blessings they received through his means.

The great reputation of this honest man having spread to the town from
whence he came, it touched the envious man so much to the quick, that he
left his house and affairs, with a resolution to go and ruin him. With
this intent he went to the new convent of dervises, of which his former
neighbour was the head, who received him with all imaginable tokens of
friendship. The envious man told him that he was come on purpose to
communicate a business of importance to him, which he could not do but
in private; and in order that nobody may hear us, let us, says he, take
a walk in your court, and seeing night begins to draw on, command your
dervises to retire to their cells. The head of the dervises did as he
required.

When the envious man saw that he was alone with this good man, he began
to tell him his errand, walking side by side in the court, until he saw
his opportunity; and getting the good man near the brink of the well,
he gave him a thrust, and pushed him into it, without any body being
witness to so wicked an action. Having done this, he marched off
immediately, got out at the gate of the convent, without being known
to any one, and came home to his own house, well satisfied with his
journey; being fully persuaded that the object of his hatred was no
more in this world; but he found himself highly mistaken.

This old well was inhabited by fairies and genies, which happened very
luckily for the relief of the head of the convent; for they received and
supported him, and carried him to the bottom, so that he got no hurt.
He perceived