Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-12-03
FOR LITTLE FOLKS.
ALI AND THE PIG.
How the Latter Became an Unclean Beast
TO All Mobammedans.

TO All mobammedans.
You have read stories of heroic boys |
and girls Of all nations. Here is one
about Mohammedan boy, little Turk, |
just as it was told by an old Turkish
veteran.
Many weary hours had the Prophet |
Mohammed journeyed while running
away from his own town and people The
sun was high in the heavens, and the
prophet felt sorely the need of rest. There
was no one to keep watch for him, how
ever, and he feared to sleep lest his ene-
mics should overtake him. Sorely dis
tressed in mind, he went on thus when
he met q little boy whose face was like
the full moon and whose eyes shone like
stars.
who art thou, o sun of thy fathers
hearth" asked the messenger of Allah.
81 am Ali, son of the sheikh," an
swered the boy in a voice as sweet as
the music of flute.
'How many happy summers have
been blessed by shining ON thee?"
ELEVEN years of my life have passed,
o worthy stranger. "
'Dost know the rites of hospitality?"
"My life before my guests"
'E 'en So Listen, then, my son. / am
weary and fain would rest. Two hours
of sleep would save my body and soul
from parting. Wilt thou, then, watch
while l crawl into yonder cave? At the
first sign of approaching men warn me,
and many blessings will be upon thee "
"On my head the penalty" answered
little Ali, bowling. The prophet was just
turning toward the cave when he re-
marked that Ali had with him beau
tiful little pig.
"Who is this?" asked he
"This is even my most cherished
companion" answered Ali "a little
pig. The wonder of the world My best
friend.
Satisfied with this, Mohammed went
into the cave and was soon asleep.
Meanwhile little Ali played with his
pig and kept a sharp lookout. Every
time, however, that he let the pig loose
it would run to the cave Even while
in Ali's hands it would strain toward
the sacred spot. After little while Ali
relaxed his attention somewhat. Sud
denly he was surprised by seeing q
crowd Of fierce visaged men surround
him.
'Hast seen such and such man pass
here?" cried out one Of the men.
Ali remained silent, holding the pig
as hard as he could.
"Come, boy, hast seen the man we
are looking for?"
Ali would not utter lie, but the
, laws of hospitality eclipsed all others,
: and so he just shook his head. But the
, pig was now tugging toward the cave
+ harder and harder. Rendered desperate
{ by this, Ali caught it around the mech
and choked it. Meanwhile the mer
! alked together.
"He is dumb" concluded they anc
, oegan to question him by signs. Bu
+ Ali still shook his head and choked th'
q pig. So at last they became disguised
and rode off.
s No sooner were they out of sight thai
= Ali released his pig. Alas, the anima
= was dead Loudly weeping at his mis-
a fortune, he then ran and awakened th
D prophet aud told him all that had tran
Q spired.
"Blessed be thou, Ali, forever, " ex
8 claimed the prophet, "and as for Oh
. pig which would have betrayed me
0 cursed be the animal forever and M
y clean shall it be 20 my followers. A
3 for thee, be happy for the blessing {
u Allah is upon thee, and thou shalt
}, great on earth and happy In heaven
Il So saying, he kissed him on the bro
Is and went his way.
True enough, Ali became one OF q
10 greatest leaders in the Mohammedap u
s. yasion which followed, aud no dlt
Il honored aud respected and sits VIII
D. Mohammed in paradise
W Aud the pig is an aooursed amin
lr and unolean 20 all believers Nov foi
D. Recorder.