SOME CURRENT PUSHTU POLK STORIES. 
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Dawn came, and I the king, said to the woman, f Bring me a water-melon ! ’ 
The woman replied, ‘ In this season, whence can one fetch water-melons ? ’ 
I answered, c There are some in my horse’s saddle-bags.’ 
The woman arose (and looked), and therein was the head of the negro. 
Then did the woman cast a spell upon me, so that my form became that of a 
black dog, and she drove me forth from the palace, crying to the retainers — ‘ O ye 
men ! ’Tis a vile dog ! Whoso kills it, shall be handsomely rewarded ! ’ 
The whole of the crowd turned out in pursuit, everyone hoping that the reward 
might be his. But I fled, and nobody could catch me. 
So I made my way to a mountain, and I took counsel with myself, saying, ‘ In 
such and such a city there is an old woman : who, moreover, is a noted witch. If I 
go to her, she will relieve me.’ 
I set off to find the old woman, and when I found her I fell at her feet. Now 
when the old woman’s glance fell on the dog, it occurred to her that perhaps this 
might be a man, changed by magic into this form. Thereupon the old woman 
performed an incantation, and the dog once more became a man ! 
And to the old woman I said, ‘ Teach me a spell such that I may turn that 
woman into an animal ! ’ 
The old woman blew upon some dust, saying, ‘ Take this dust, she will turn 
into whatever animal you wish, if you will pronounce the name of that animal, 
when casting again this dust upon the ground.’ 
I set out. All the people made obeisance to me. And when I came into my 
palace, I cast the dust upon the woman, pronouncing the word ‘ mule.’ 
When she had turned into a mule, I gave her to a potter. And I said to him, 
‘ Take this mule, and employ her in your work, and ill-treat her thoroughly.’ 
And even so did he.” 
VII. A Modern Story of Tirah,— and What Befell on the way Thither. 
In British territory, a man was going upon his way ; and as he went, he was 
saying to himself, “ When shall I see my own tower in Tirah again ? ” 
Now at this very moment, the man fell in with a faqir, who said to him, “ If 
you will provide me with food, then I will give you some sound advice.’ ’ 
The man chanced to have with him five loaves, and he gave them to the faqir , 
(saying), “ Give me five words of good counsel.” 
“My first advice, then,” said the faqir, “ is this, — with whomsoever you may 
find yourself in company on the road, first of all learn that man’s name.” 
“Secondly,” (continued the faqir), “this, — that into whatsoever village you 
enter, sit you down upon the ground until such time as they shall bid you rise and be 
seated upon a chair.” 
“Thirdly, this, — whatsoever property you have with you, do not produce it 
until they shall directly require of you (saying), ‘ Show such and such a thing.’ 
