Tabaristan

In the country called Tabaristan there lived a rich Rajah, who gave a feast and invited a number of guests.

Amongst the guests came a stranger who partook of the good things distributed. The Rajah, on seeing him, enquired who he was.

"I am a stranger," said he, "but am willing to serve you, as I have come from a very distant country."

The Rajah said he would keep him as a sort of Chowkidar, to guard his house at night. So all night long the stranger used to pace up and down the Palace grounds keeping watch.

One night the Rajah came out and, seeing him pacing up and down, asked him who he was.

"Why, I am he whom you engaged as a servant."

Hardly had he spoken when a loud cry echoed through the grounds, and a voice said: "I am going on, I am going on!"

"What is that?" asked the Rajah.

"I do not know," said the man, "but I hear it every night."

"Go and find out," returned the Rajah. So the man turned to do his bidding.

Now the Rajah was very curious, and, quickly wrapping himself in his coat, quietly followed his servant.

Outside the garden gate sat a figure covered and clothed in loose white garments.

On approaching it the servant said: "Who are you?"

"I am Time," replied the figure, "and hold the Rajah's life, which is now nearly over."

"Cannot anything be done to spare it?" asked the man.

"Yes, it can be spared by the sacrifice of another, and that one must be your son."

"I will give not only my son's life, but the lives of all my family and my own," replied the man; "but, if you want only my son, you may have him."

Then he went and told his son, who said: "Gladly will I give my life, for what is it in comparison with the life of a Rajah? Come, father, take me soon that I may die."

Then the man led his son to the veiled figure, and said: "Here is my son; he is willing to die."

Taking a knife, he was about to plunge it into his child when the figure cried: "Enough! You have proved that you were willing not only to give your son, but your whole family, and the Almighty is pleased to spare the Rajah's life for another seven years."

Now the Rajah, who had heard every word of the interview, quickly returned to the spot where he had first heard the voice, and there awaited his servant's return.

"Well, what was the sound?" asked he, when he saw him.

"A man and a woman had quarrelled," replied the servant, "but I have managed to reconcile them, and they have promised not to quarrel for seven years."

Then the Rajah left him, and ordered him to appear at his Court the following day.

Next day, when the Court was full, the Rajah addressed all his people, and said: "I am resolved to give up my throne and all I possess to this man; for last night, unknown to me, he was willing to give up, not only his son's life but his own, and the lives of all his family, in order to save mine, and for my sake."

The poor servant was deeply touched and astonished at the turn matters had so unexpectedly taken, but the Rajah was firm in his resolve, and left his throne and his kingdom.

The servant then became Rajah, and ruled wisely and well to the end of his days.