Stories
Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad by Unknown
(Contd. from page 10...)Two children were presented to him as olive merchants, and the Cadi addressed them. "Tell me," he said, "how long can olives be kept so as to be pleasant eating?"
"My lord," replied the merchants, "however much care is taken to preserve them, they never last beyond the third year. They lose both taste and colour, and are only fit to be thrown away."
"If that is so," answered the little Cadi, "examine this vase, and tell me how long the olives have been in it."
The olive merchants pretended to examine the olives and taste them; then reported to the Cadi that they were fresh and good.
"You are mistaken," said he, "Ali Cogia declares he put them in that vase seven years ago."
"My lord," returned the olive merchants, "we can assure you that the olives are those of the present year. And if you consult all the merchants in Bagdad you will not find one to give a contrary opinion."
The accused merchant opened his mouth as if to protest, but the Cadi gave him no time. "Be silent," he said, "you are a thief. Take him away and hang him." So the game ended, the children clapping their hands in applause, and leading the criminal away to be hanged.