Salamander, and after the usual salutation, paid the compliment of offering
service. The Salamander, too, in a kind tone, expressed the courtesy required
toward travellers and said: "The traces of weariness are discernible in thy
countenance. If this arises from journeying, be pleased to halt some days in this
neighbourhood; and if the case be aught else, explain it, that, to the extent of my
power, I may exert myself to remedy it."
The Sparrow loosed his tongue, and represented to the Salamander his piteous
condition, after a fashion, that, had he told it to a rock, it would have been rent in
pieces by his distress.
After hearing his tale, the Salamander, too, felt the fire of compassion kindled,
and he said; "Grieve not! for I will this night take such measures as to consume
the Falcon's abode and nest and all that therein is. Do thou point out to me thy
dwelling, and go to thy offspring until the time I come to thee."
The Sparrow indicated his dwelling in such a way as not to leave a doubt in the
mind of the Salamander; and with a glad heart turned toward his own nest. When
the night came on, the Salamander, with a number of its own kind, each carrying
a quantity of naphtha and brimstone, set off in the direction of the spot, and
under the guidance of that Sparrow conveyed themselves to the vicinity of the
Falcon's nest.
The latter, unaware of the impending misfortune, had, with its young, eaten
plentifully and fallen asleep. The Salamanders cast upon their nest all the
naphtha and brimstone that they had brought with them and turned back and the
blast of justice fell upon those oppressors. They rose up from the sleep of
negligence and all of them, with their abode and nest, were at once consumed to
ashes.
And this instance is given that thou mayest know that every one who labours to
repel an enemy, though he be small and weak, and his foe great and strong, may
yet hope for victory and triumph.
The Hermit, the Thief, and the Demon
It is related that a Hermit of pure disposition, abstemious and virtuous, had made
his cell in one of the environs of Baghdad, and passed his morning and evening