The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-08-26
Arab Humor.

The Prophets strict temperance
principles lost him many a promising
convert among his contemporaries, and,
as the reader will presently see did not
materially benefit the morals of his fol-
lowers later on. OF course, even in
pagan times the evils of excess would
occasionally manifest themselves. and
instances are recorded of the ancient
Arabs taking the pledge OF their own
account. One notable example was
Keys; the son of .Asim. who was brought
round by a decided attack of the
'.jumps." One night this warrior an
nOunced his intention of pulling down
the moon, and, after several frantic
leaps into the air for the purpose, fell
fiat upon his face. Being afterward
told how his features got bruised, he
wisely resolved to give up Wine-bib-
bling for the future. The sinners fall
is the saints opportunity; so, as might
be expected, Arab literature is full of
anecdotes of wise and sober men who
have reproved their dissOlute 'betters."
Here is one Of the kind: A certain King
went to visit u mad-hOuse, and found
there an intelligent looking youth, who,
after replying scnsibly to Il number Of
questions put to him by the sovereign,
at length addressed the latter, saying:
you have asked me many things; /
will now ask you one. At what period
does q sleeper enjoy his sleep mOstP"
The King reflected a while and said:
.'While he is actually sleeping" THAT
cannot be-" said the mailman" for he
has no perception while asleep" '.Then
before he goes to Sleep" said theKing.
How can one enjoy anything" asked
the mailman, ''before it comes?"
Then" said the King, ..after he has
been asleep" May" said the mad
man, "a man cannot be said to enjoy
Il thing that has passed away" So
pleased was the King with the others
wit that he determined to make a COM
panion of him, had a table set out in
front of the window of the madhOuse.
and his attendants hand a cup of wine
TO himself and one to his NAL friend,
''You drink your cup" said the latter,
'.tlat you may become like me; but II
l drink mine, whom shall l be likcP"
The King OF hearing this speech. threw
away the cup and remained o total abb
stainer forevermOre.
To take 4 case of less historical vague
ness: The Caliph Abel Melik,. o
of Merwan, had a favorite slave named
Nasib. whom he II day invited to
drink with him. Commander of the
faithfulr' replied the slave. Il am not
related to thee, have no authority owe
thee, and have neither rank nor lin
cage. l am but o black slave whose wit
and pOliteness have earned me thy
favor; how then shall ! take that which
will rob me of both?" Then the Caliph
looked around for another boon COM
paniOn.
These Oriental despots would stand
a great deal from q saint. One celebrat-
ed parsonage Of this class name Abu'l
Hussain en- Nuri saw a vessel on the
Tigress with thirty e%arthenware jars
on board consigned to the Caliph 81
Mo 'tadid, and being told that they COIL
tanned wine, went for them with q boat
pole and broke them all but one The
monarch, enraged at the loss of the
liquor and the slight to himself, sent
for the offender and asked him sternly,
'.Who made thee censorP" He who
made the Caliphv' was the reply, and
the saint was permitted to 60 about his
business. Saints and madmcn are al
lowed more license in the East than
appears absolutely prudent; and when
Gas is frequently the CASEY the two char
acters are combined in n person, aud
a sharp spear is given as a badge Of
Office (as it always is). that holy man is
one to be avoided. l know this to my
cost, having once been compelled to
dodge round and round in Jerusalem
for a good ten minutes, holding on to
the wrong end of a spear, while grim
ming lunatic Of intense holiness kept
jabbing at me with the other. Temple