The mirror., 1922-01-26
WISDOM OF THE ORIENT
Lillitut and Brobdinack

into the polished top of three-foot COL
umn of white marble, conveniently erected
in the center of Navasa's famous market
place. pointed only to the fourth hour after
midday, the great gong on the nearby
tower of Justice sounded its metallic voice,
representing the dictum of the almighty
law, and loudly and officially proclaimed
that all trading, bartering and exchanging
in merchandise, goods and chattels would
have to cease for the day. This restric-
ton of lawful commerce, with still three
hours to spare before the faithful sons of
Allah would turn their eyes to the setting
sun and crouching Arab fashion on their
small prayer carpets say their evening
prayers, was not, as the ordinary observer
would seem to think, an imposition, but
wise move on the part of those who di-
rected the destiny of Navasas' manifold
business ventures. Carefully considering
the rights of every and all commercial
enterprises of their fair city dignifed
council of be-turbaned and white bearded
city fathers had decreed that all traders,
buyers and sellers alike, coming to Navasa
to dispose or acquire must find sufficient
opportunity to enact their business between
the hours of sun-up and p. m.; there
after, only -caravansaries, restaurants and
dispensers of refreshments and amuse-
ment were permitted to extract their share
of profit from the many strangers within
the gates of the city. The townfolks
thoroughly alive to the profitable result of
this benevolent ruling gladly aquiesced
therein and joining the throng of those
who braved the sands of the desert to the
east, the treacherous mountains to the west,
or the turbulent waves of the mighty river
flowing through Navasa from the north,
when upon visit to their fair city, made
merry and from the hour of 4 p. m. until
midnight those establishments that had
been almost inactive from sun-up until
4 p. m. reaped glorious harvest.
Navasa, the capitol of Yatispur was
wide-open town. True enough, some radi-
cal grouches were continuously complaining
and in voice of great displeasure herald
ing the downfall of innocence and
morality; yet SO great was the power of
the minority and so large the profits of
the gentry having corner in "Navasa's
bright lights" that the proper authorities,
1sol Eol o1ac
propriety in properly or Improperly con-
Quoted cafes, dancing places, gambling
joints, and other still less properly con-
Quoted places of vice, always providing
of course, that their official palms were
properly creased. In the midst of this
mixture of oriental wisdom and culpabil-
ity, Abdul Haman, the story-teller had
managed to exc out more or less COM
Portable existence. In his long and mar
row tent located in an alley between
sumptuous shops of dealers in carpets, silk,
incense, gold, silver and precious stones,
Abdul Haman for years had piled his
honorable trade, the telling of stories,
while dispensing fragrant concoction
best known under the title of turkish
coffee.
The price for the amusement, these we'll
told tales created, included the above men
toned refreshment. The poorest of
Navasa's inhabitants were enabled to par
ticipate as only the smallest coin of the
realm was exacted therefore. As Abdul
Haman, the story-teller seated himself on
his slightly raised couch the noise sudden
ly subsidized. The chatter of voices stilled,
and the faint tinkle of the coffee cups hav-
ing ceased, Abdul Haman started his story
entitled "Liliput and Brobdinack."
It is great many centuries ago, how
many, can not definitely tell, began the
story-teller, that in remote part of Ara
bia, away from the regular routes of COM
merce and social development, people