The Gifts of Wali Dad
The Gifts of Wali Dad
The Gifts of Wali Dad
But after a moment Wali Dad said, I know who should have such a gift. I beg you, keep two horses for yourself, and take the rest to the queen of Khaistan! The merchant thought this was very funny, but he consented. On his next visit to the queens palace, he gave her the horses. Now the queen was perplexed. She whispered to her prime minister, Why does this Wali Dad persist in sending gifts? I have never even heard of him! The prime minister said, Why dont you discourage him? Send him a gift so rich, he can never hope to match it. So in return for the ten horses from Wali Dad, the queen sent back twenty mules loaded with silver. When the merchant and mules arrived back at the hut, Wali Dad groaned. What have I done to deserve this? Friend, spare an old man! Keep two mules and their silver for yourself, and take the rest to the king of Nekabad! The merchant was getting uneasy, but he could not refuse such a generous offer. So not long after, he found himself presenting the silver-laden mules to the king of Nekabad. The king, too, was perplexed and asked his prime minister for advice. Perhaps this Wali Dad seeks to prove himself your better, said the prime minister. Why not send him a gift he can never surpass? So the king sent back twenty camels with golden anklets, twenty horses with golden bridles and stirrups, twenty elephants with golden seats mounted on their backs, and twenty liveried servants to care for them all. When the merchant guided the servants and animals to Wali Dads hut, the grass-cutter was beside himself. Will bad fortune never end? Please, do not stop for a minute! Keep for yourself two of each animal, and take the rest to the queen of Khaistan! How can I go to her again? protested the merchant. But Wali Dad pleaded so hard, the merchant consented to go just once more. This time, the queen was stunned by the magnificence of Wali Dads gift. She turned again to her prime minister. Clearly, said the prime minister, the man wishes to marry you. Since his gifts are so fine, perhaps you should meet him! So the queen ordered a great caravan made ready, with countless horses, camels, and elephants. With the trembling merchant as guide, she and her court set out to visit the great Wali Dad. On the third day, the caravan made camp, and the queen sent the merchant ahead to tell Wali Dad of her coming. When Wali Dad heard the merchants news, his head sank to his hands. Oh, no! he moaned. Now I will be paid for all my foolishness. I have brought shame on myself, on you, and on the queen. What are we to do? I fear we can do nothing! said the merchant, and he headed back to the caravan. The next morning, Wali Dad rose before dawn. Good-bye, old hut, he said. I will never see you again. The old grass-cutter started down the road. But he had not gone far when he heard a voice. Where are you going, Wali Dad?
He turned and saw two radiant ladies. He knew at once they were peris from Paradise. Wali Dad sank to his knees and cried, I am a stupid old man. Let me go my way. I cannot face my shame! No shame can come to such as you, said one of the peris. Though your clothes are poor, in your heart you are a king. The peri touched him on the shoulder. To his amazement, he saw his rags turn to fine clothes. A jeweled turban sat on his head. The rusty sickle at his waist was now a gleaming scimitar. Return, Wali Dad, said the other peri. All is as it should be. Wali Dad looked behind him. Where his hut had stood, a splendid palace sparkled in the rising sun. In shock, he turned to the peris, but they had vanished. Wali Dad hurried back along the road. As he entered the palace, the guards gave a salute. Servants bowed to him, then rushed here and there, preparing for the visitors. Wali Dad wandered through countless rooms, gaping at riches beyond his imagining. Suddenly, three servants ran up. A caravan from the east! announced the first. No, said the second, a caravan from the west! No, said the third, caravans from both east and west! The bewildered Wali Dad rushed outside to see two caravans halt before the palace. Coming from the east was a queen in a jeweled litter. Coming from the west was a king on a fine horse. Wali Dad hurried to the queen. My dear Wali Dad, we meet at last, said the queen of Khaistan. But who is that magnificent king? I believe it is the king of Nekabad, Your Majesty, said Wali Dad. Please excuse me for a moment. He rushed over to the king. My dear Wali Dad, I had to meet the giver of such fine gifts, said the king of Nekabad. But who is that splendid queen? The queen of Khaistan, Your Majesty, said Wali Dad with a smile. Please come and meet her. And so the king of Nekabad met the queen of Khaistan, and the two fell instantly in love. A few days later their marriage took place in the palace of Wali Dad. And the celebration went on for many days. At last Wali Dad had said good-bye to all his guests. The very next morning, he rose before dawn, crept quietly from the palace, and started down the road. But he had not gone far when he heard a voice. Where are you going, Wali Dad? He turned and saw the two peris. Again he sank to his knees. Did I not tell you I am a stupid old man? I should be glad for what I have received, but . . . . Say no more, said the other peri. You shall have your hearts desire. And she touched him again. So Wali Dad became once more a grass-cutter, living happily in his hut for the rest of his days. And though he often thought warmly of his friends the king and queen, he was careful never to send them another gift.