AZAMET THE HERMIT AND HIS DUMB FRIENDS, 



ZAiNlET the vizier had been 

 raised by Sultan Mahmoud 

 to the highest office in the 

 empire. As soon as he 

 was established in his 

 position, he tried to reform many 

 abuses ; but the nobles and imaums 

 plotted against him. 



Deprived of his property, and 

 deserted by his friends, Azamet with- 

 drew to the wilderness of Khorasan, 

 where he lived alone in a hut of his 

 own building, and planted a little 

 garden by the side of a brook. 



He had lived a hermit's life for two 

 years, when Usbeck, one of his old 

 friends, found his dwelling place. 



The sage met the vizier about a 

 mile from his hut ; the two friends 

 recognized each other and embraced, 

 while Usbeck shed tears ; Azamet, on 

 the contrary, smiled, and his eyes 

 beamed with joy. "Thanks be to 

 God, who gives strength to the un- 

 fortunate," said Usbeck, " The man 

 who had a gorgeous palace in the rich 

 plains of Ghilem is contented with a 

 hut in the wildest part of Khorasan ! " 



Presently, when they drew near 

 Azamet's hut they heard a young 

 horse neigh, and saw him come gallop- 

 ing to meet them. When he came 

 near Azamet, he caressed him, and ran 

 home before him. 



Usbeck saw two fine heifers come 

 from a pasture near by, and run back 

 and forth near Azamet, as if offering 

 him their milk ; they began to follow 

 him. Soon after, two goats, with their 

 kids, ran down from a steep rock, 

 showing, by their gambols, their 



delight at seeing their master, and 

 began to frolic around him. 



Then four or five sheep came out ot 

 a little orchard, bleating and bounding, 

 to lick Azamet's hand as he patted 

 them, smiling. At the same moment, 

 a few pigeons and a multitude of other 

 birds which were chirping on the 

 trees in the orchard flew upon his 

 head and shoulders. He went into the 

 little yard near his cabin, and a cock 

 saw him and crowed for joy ; at this 

 noise several hens ran, cackling, to 

 greet their master. 



But the signs of joy and love which all 

 these animals showed were as nothing 

 compared to those of two white dogs 

 that were waiting for Azamet at the 

 door. They did not run to meet him, 

 but seemed to show him that they had 

 been faithful sentinels over the house 

 which their master had placed in their 

 care. As soon, however, as he entered, 

 they caressed him lovingly, fawning 

 upon him, throwing themselves at his 

 feet, and only leaping up to lick his 

 hands. When he gave them caresses 

 they seemed beside themselves with 

 delight, and stretched themselves at 

 their master's feet. 



Usbeck smiled at this sight. 

 "Well!" said the vizier, "you see 

 that I am now as I have been from 

 childhood, the friend of all created 

 things. / tried lo make men happy ^ hut 

 they could not let me. I made these 

 animals happy^ and I take pleasure in 

 their affection and gratitude. You see 

 that even though I am in the wilder- 

 ness of Khorasan, I have companions, 

 and love and am beloved." 



Listen ! what a sudden rustle 



Fills ihe air. 

 All the birds are in a bustle 



Everywhere. 



Such a ceaseless croon and twitter 



Over-head ! 

 Such a flash of wings that glitter 



Wide outspread ! 



33 



