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The Dervise And The Four Robbers
A Dervise had once made a purchase of a fine fat sheep, intending to offer it up in sacrifice; and having tied a cord about its neck, was leading it to his home, when four thieves perceived him, and instantly made up their minds to steal the sheep. They knew the Dervise to be an honest, inoffensive man, and one who thought of no more harm in others than he had in himself. They dared not, however, take the sheep away from the Dervise by force, for they were too near the city; therefore they made use of this stratagem: they first parted company, and then accosted the Dervise, as if they had come from several distinct parts. The. first thief, who had contrived to meet him full- face, said, "My good old man, whither are you leading this dog ?" At this instant the second robber, coming from another quarter, cried to him, "Venerable old man, I hope you have not so far forgot yourself as to have stolen this dog;" and immediately after him, the third coming up, asked him, "Whither are you going with that handsome greyhound ?" The poor Dervise began to doubt whether the sheep which he had was a sheep or not. But the fourth robber put him quite beside himself(2) by approaching him and asking what the dog cost him. The Dervise, absolutely persuaded(3) that four men, coming from four several directions, could not all be deceived, verily believed that the grazier who had sold him the sheep was a conjurer, and had bewitched his sight; inasmuch that, no longer giving credit to his Own eyes,(4) he began to be firmly convinced that the sheep he was leading was a dog. In full persuasion of this, the Dervise went back to the market to demand his money of the grazier(5), leaving the wether with the felons, who made off with(6) it.
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