e his
pelisse disappear; "much good that will do."

But as it happened, when the man heard the noise he was afraid of being
caught, and, throwing the pelisse back on to the donkey, he ran away as
hard as he could.

[Illustration: THE KHOJA PRAYS.]

_Tale_ 44.--The Khoja's Left Leg.

During one very hot season there was a scarcity of water in the city.

One day, the Khoja was performing his religious ablutions: he washed
himself all over with the exception of his left leg, but before that
could be washed the water was all used up.

When the Khoja began to recite the customary prayers he stood on one leg
like a goose.

"O Khoja Effendi!" cried the people, "why do you pray standing on your
right leg?"

"I could not pray on my left leg," said the Khoja; "it has not performed
the appointed ablutions."

_Tale_ 45.--"Figs Would Be More Acceptable."

Nasr-ed-Deen Effendi had some plums, of which he resolved to make a
present to the Bey. He therefore took three of them, and putting them on
a fine tray, he carried them into the royal presence, and duly offered
them for the Bey's acceptance.

Being in a good humour, the Bey took the present in good part, and gave
the Khoja several pence in return.

After some days the Khoja thought he would take something else to the
Bey, and having some fine large beetroots, he set off as before.

On his way to the palace he met a man, who saluted him.

"What are you doing with all those beetroots?" said he.

"I am about to present them to the Bey," replied the Khoja.

"Figs would be more acceptable, I should think," said the man.

The Khoja pursued his journey, but as he went the man's words troubled
him--"Figs would be more acceptable."

At last he perceived a fig-tree by the roadside, so, throwing away all
the beetroots, he put two or three figs in their place, and having
arrived at the palace, he presented them to the Bey.

But this time the Bey was not in a good humour.

"What madman is this," he cried, "who mocks me by the gift of a few
worthless figs? Throw them at his head and drive him away!"

So they pelted the Khoja with his figs, and drove him out. But as he
ran, instead of cursing his ill luck, the Khoja gave thanks for his good
fortune.

"This is indeed madness," cried the servants of the Bey; "for what, O
Khoja, do you return thanks, after this ignominious treatment?"

"O ignorant time-servers," replied the Khoja, "I have good reason to
give thanks