bled over
this, for he knew he was neglecting a religious duty, but he was so
occupied with his business affairs that it was difficult for him to
leave home. Year after year he planned to make the pilgrimage, but
always he postponed it, hoping for some more convenient time.

One night the merchant had a dream so vivid that it was more like a
vision than a dream. In this dream or vision an old man appeared
before him and, regarding him with a severe and reproachful look,
said, "Why have you not made the pilgrimage to Mecca?"

When Ali Cogia awoke he felt greatly troubled. He feared this dream
had been sent him as a reproach and a warning from heaven. He was
still more troubled when the next night he dreamed the same dream; and
when upon the third night the old man again appeared before him and
asked the same question, he determined to delay no longer, but to set
out upon the pilgrimage as soon as possible.

To this end he sold off all his goods except some that he decided to
carry with him to Mecca and to dispose of there. He settled all his
debts and rented his shop and his house to a friend, and as he had
neither wife nor family, he was now free to set out at any time.

The sale of his goods had brought in quite a large sum of money, so
that after he had set aside as much as was needed for the journey he
found he had still a thousand gold pieces left over.

These he determined to leave in some safe place until his return. He
put the money in an olive jar and covered it over with olives and
sealed it carefully. He then carried the jar to a friend named Abul
Hassan, who was the owner of a large warehouse.

"Abul Hassan," said he, "I am about to make the journey to Mecca, as
you perhaps know. I have here a jar of olives that I would like to
leave in your warehouse until my return, if you will allow me to do
so."

Abul Hassan was quite willing that his friend should do this and gave
him the keys of the warehouse, bidding him place the jar wherever he
wished. "I will gladly keep it until you return," said he, "and you
may rest assured the jar will not be disturbed until such time as you
shall come and claim it."

Ali Cogia thanked his friend and carried the jar into the warehouse,
placing it in the farthest and darkest corner where it would not be in
the way. Soon after he set out upon his journey to Mecca.

When Ali Cogia left Bagdad he had no thought but that he would return
in a year's time at latest. He made