y into a city, found the doctors of the law
eating and drinking; no sooner did they see the Cogia than they showed
him great honour, and brought him food. It happened that that year was a
year of famine, and the Cogia whilst eating and drinking, said to
himself, 'No doubt this city must be one in which provisions are very
cheap,' and asked a man who was by him whether it were not so. The man
replied, 'Are you mad? this day is Beiram, every one according to his
means cooks meat in his house and brings it forth, and on that account
the food is plentiful.' 'Ah, my good man,' said the Cogia, 'I wish that
every day was Beiram.'

One day Cogia Efendi led a cow to the market for sale; backwards and
forwards he led it, but was unable to sell it; presently a man advancing
to the Cogia, said, 'Why do you hold this cow in your hand without
selling it?' Said the Cogia, 'I have led it about since the morning, and
notwithstanding all the fine things that I have said about it I have been
unable to sell it.' The individual taking the cow from the Cogia's hand,
began to walk it about, exclaiming, 'Who will buy a young girl six months
gone with child?' Forthwith buyers followed at his heels, and a very
considerable sum was offered. The Cogia, very much surprised, took the
money for the cow, and went running to his house. The inspectors,
however, coming, took away the Cogia's daughter, whereupon his wife said,
'O Cogia, do you stay a little. The inspecting matrons have been for the
girl. I will now go to them, and will give the necessary character, so
that they will take our daughter, being satisfied with what I say.' Quoth
the Cogia Efendi, 'No, no, wife, do not open your mouth. I have now
learnt various praises fitted for her. I will go and tell them. Do you
see how they will be pleased with them.' So he went to the inspecting
matrons, who, as soon as they saw him, said, 'O Cogia Efendi, what have
you to do with us matrons? Get you gone, and let the girl's mother
come.' Said the Cogia Efendi, 'It is not the duty of the girl's mother
to give information with respect to any talents which the girl may
possess. Whatever questions you may have to ask with respect to the
talents we may have observed, do you ask of me.' Quoth the matrons, 'Let
us hear you dilate a little on her talents.' 'Ladies,' said the Cogia,
'if the girl is not six months gone with child, she is my property.' The
ladies on hearing this looked at each o