"What is the purpose of this man?" demanded the monarch of the
fishes.
"The possession of the carbuncle that lies buried in the bottom of the
Tigris," was the reply.
"I advise you, then," said the aged monarch, "to give it up to him;
for if he has the steady will, and has positively resolved to find
it, he will work until he has drained the last drop of water from the
Tigris, rather than deviate a hair's breadth from his purpose."
The fishes, out of fear, threw the carbuncle into the vessel of the
youth; and the latter, as a reward, received the daughter of the
Caliph for his wife."
"He who earnestly wills, can do much!"
* * * * *
CHINESE STORIES
* * * * *
THE MOST FRUGAL OF MEN
A man who was considered the most frugal of all the dwellers in a
certain kingdom heard of another man who was the most frugal in the
whole world. He said to his son thereupon: "We, indeed, live upon
little, but if we were more frugal still, we might live upon nothing
at all. It will be well worth while for us to get instructions in
economy from the Most Frugal of Men." The son agreed, and the two
decided that the son should go and inquire whether the master in
economic science would take pupils.
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