Smyrna times., 1900-02-28
The FIRST Impulse
An Eastern Story Of Two Men
Noted For the Good They
Did.
BY JULES LA MAITRE

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Turiri was wealthy citizen of Bag
dad who was far and wide renowned
for his many virtues. In assisting the
poor with his money he was so gen
erous that he had to deprive himself of
the luxuries of life. and the patience
with which he listened to the laments
of the suffering and cheered them with
kind words earned him the love and
admiration of his fellow citizens.
He bore with resignation all the pet
ty annoyances which accompany man
through life in an almost unbroken
chain. He was truly tolerant and
never waxed angry when others did
not share his opinions. a rare and diff
cult virtue indeed. for there is no
human being who does not wish in his
innermOsi heart that all other human
beings might be his interiors and vet
in his likeness.
He was faithful husband. and this
in spite of his wife being of a quarrel
some nature. He bore with her i'll
temper and seemed not to mind at all
that she was no longer young and
beautiful. Finally his unselfishness
was so great that. though himself the
author of numerous poems and
dramas. he rejoiced over the success
of his rivals and proved his joy by Civ
ing them sincere words of encourage
ment and rendering them all kinds of
services. In brief. all his life was
made up of mercy. gentleness. loyalty.
unselfishness. and he was considered
a'saint-a chivalrous saint.
In spite of all this he showed lack
of that calm serenity which usually
illuminates the face of sanity per
sons His features had the suffering
expression of one who has fallen a
prey of wild passions or secret sor.
rows. and frequently. in the very mo-
ment of doing some kind act he would
cast down his eyes. Was it to collect
himself or to avoid looking into peO-
pies faces? No one could tell
Now. there lived not far from Bag
dad an ascetic by the name of Maitre-
ga He was n miracle worker and the
pious from all parts of the world flock
ed to him to be helped by his prayers.
Having renOunced the world and all its
usageS. Maitrega had dug a cave into
the bank of the river and become a
holy man. whose prayers were always
heard at the throne of Ormuzd. With
his hony. hair covered arms uplifted to
heaven he stood before his cave as un-
wearied as tree stretching its branch
es upward. so that the swallows. de-
ceived by his immobility. took Maitre-
ga for an old willow and built their
nests on his shoulders His face was
tanned brown by the sun and was
black with dirt. and his long beard and
tangled hair blew about him like the
wind beaten grass blades on the ram
parts of an old castle ruin. And so he
had lived for many years. for such had
been his will
One day he overheard a pilgrim say
ing:
''Turr appears like an embodiment
Of Ormuzd. If he only had the power
to do what he likes. misery would sure
ly disappear from the EARTH"
Maitregas form became more rigid
1t was apparent that the ascetic had
entered into communion with Ormuzd
A few moments passed in silence, then
he said to the pilgrim:
81 cannot compel OrInuzd to grant tC
Turiri the power to do everything be
wishes. for in that event be would be
equal to God. Ormuzd has. however
granted that beginning from tomorrow
at all occasions the first wish enter
tained by Turiri shall be Immediately
realized"
oh" replied the pilgrim. ''this a!
most amounts to the same. TurirPs
hrst wish at whatever occasion will bt
IKE all his other wishes. always gen
erous and good. You have announced
10 me. reverend sir. the happiness o.
countless human beings. Accept N.Y.
best thanks"
HAD Maitrega's beard been less I'm
penetrable the pilgrim might have no
uced an ironical smile gliding over hi
petrihed lips. moment later. how
ever. the ascetic was again absorbed II
deep meditation.
And the pilgrim returned to the cit,
and rejoiced In anticipation of the be
neneent miracles through which Turf
r,s power undoubtedly would becom'
~nifest.
le next morning Turiri on awaken
happened to throw glance upoi
Ia potato. who was still slumbering a
week.
peas oven