ive me four hen eggs for one partridge, how
many hen eggs should they give me for seven partridges?'

"The scribe gathered pebbles, placed them in various rows, and before
the sun had set, he answered that they should give twenty-eight eggs
for seven partridges.

"The almighty Amon smiled when be saw before him a sage of such
uncommon proportions, and answered,

"'I recognize that Thou hast spoken truth concerning thy wisdom. If
Thou shalt appear equally enduring in virtue I will so arrange that
Thou shalt be happy to the end of life, and after death thy sons shall
place thy shade in a beautiful tomb. But now tell me: what wealth dost
Thou wish, wealth which Thou wouldst not merely refrain from wasting,
but wouldst increase?'

"The scribe fell to the feet of the generous deity, and answered,

"'If I had even this hut and three measures of land, I should be
wealthy.'

"'Well,' said the god, 'but first look around and see if it would
suffice thee.'

"He led him into the hut, and said,

"'Thou hast four caps and skirts, two mantles for bad weather, and two
pairs of sandals. Here is a fire, here a bench on which Thou mayst
sleep, a mortar for crushing wheat, and a pan for dough.'

"'But what is this?' asked the scribe, pointing to a certain figure
covered with linen.

"'That is one thing which Thou must not touch; if Thou do, Thou wilt
lose all thy property.'

"'Ai!' cried the scribe. 'That may remain a thousand years there; I
will not trouble it. With permission of thy honor, what estate is that
over there?' and he bent through the hut window.

"'Thou hast spoken wisely,' said Amon, 'for that is an estate, and even
a fine one. It is composed of fifty measures of land. There is a
spacious house on it, some tens of cattle, and ten slaves belong to the
establishment. If Thou prefer that estate.'

"The scribe fell at the feet of the deity.

"'Is there,' inquired he, 'a man under the sun who instead of a barley
cake would not prefer a loaf of wheaten bread?'

"When he heard this, Amon repeated a formula, and that moment both were
in the mansion.

"'Here Thou hast,' said the god, 'a carved bed, five tables, and ten
armchairs; Thou hast embroidered clothing, Thou hast pitchers, and
glass bottles for wine, a lamp for olive oil, and a litter.'

"'And what is this?' asked the scribe, pointing to a figure robed in
muslin and standing in a corner.

"'Thou must not touch that or Thou wilt lose all thy property.'