ue which discovereth to them the darkest
secrets.” Answered Wird Khan, “True, O my son, but whence learnedest
thou geomancy and thou young of years?” Quoth the boy, “My father taught
it me;” and quoth the King, “Is thy father alive or dead?” “He is dead,”
replied the boy. Then Wird Khan asked, “Is there any resource or device
for our King, whereby to ward off from himself and his kingdom this sore
calamity?” And the boy answered, saying, “It befitteth not that I speak
with thee of this; but, an the King send for me and ask me how he shall
do to baffle his foe and get free of his snares, I will acquaint him
with that wherein, by the power of Allah Almighty, shall be his
salvation.” Rejoined Wird Khan, “But who shall tell the King of this
that he may send for thee and invite thee to him?” The boy retorted, “I
hear that he seeketh men of experience and good counsel, so I will go up
with them to him and tell him that wherein shall be his welfare and the
warding off of this affliction from him; but, an he neglect the pressing
matter and busy himself with his love-liesse among his women and I go to
him of my own accord designing to acquaint him with the means of
deliverance, he will assuredly give orders to slay me, even as he slew
those his Wazirs, and my courtesy to him will be the cause of my
destruction. Wherefore the folk will think slightly of me and belittle
my wit and I shall be of those of whom it is said:—He whose science
excelleth his sense perisheth by his ignorance.” When the King heard the
boy’s words, he was assured of his sagacity; and the excellence of his
merit was manifest and he was certified that deliverance would betide
him and his subjects at the boy’s hands. So presently he resumed the
colloquy and asked him, “Whence art thou and where is thy home?”; and
the boy answered, “This is the wall of our house.” The King took note of
the place and farewelling the boy, returned to his palace in high
spirits. There he changed his clothes and called for meat 