"
The prince repeated these words to Hamed, who said:
"The task you give me is harsh, nevertheless I will bring her to you," He
set out on the way, and came to a place where he found a man pasturing a
flock of sheep, carrying a millstone hanging to his neck and playing the
flute. Hamed said to him: "By the Lord, I cannot lift a small rock, and
this man hangs a millstone to his neck." The shepherd said: "You are
Hamed-ben-Ceggad, who built the house of coral-wood?"
"Who told you?"
"A bird that flew into the sky." He added, "I will go with you."
"Come," said Hamed. The shepherd took the millstone from his neck, and the
sheep were changed into stones.
On the way they met a naked man, who was rolling in the snow. They said [to
themselves], "The cold stings us, and yet that man rolls in the snow
without the cold killing him."
The man said to them, "You are Hamed-ben-Ceggad, who built the house of
coral-wood?"
"Who told you that?"
"A bird that passed flying in the sky told me. I will accompany you."
"Come," said Hamed. After they had pursued their way some time, they met a
man with long ears.
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