Stories
Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad by Unknown
(Contd. from page 3...)Pay no attention to my idle words, I really have no desire for olives now. And probably after all this while they are no longer good. I have a presentiment that Ali Cogia will return, and what will he think of you? Give it up, I entreat."
The merchant, however, refused to listen to her advice, sensible though it was. He took a light and a dish and went into his shop.
"If you will be so obstinate," said his wife, "I cannot help it; but do not blame me if it turns out ill."
When the merchant opened the vase he found the topmost olives were rotten, and in order to see if the under ones were in better condition he shook some ont into the dish. As they fell out a few of the gold pieces fell out too. The sight of the money roused all the merchant's greed. He looked into the vase, and saw that all the bottom was filled with gold. He then replaced the olives and returned to his wife.
"My wife," he said, as he entered the room, "you were quite right; the olives are rotten, and I have recorked the vase so well that Ali Cogia will never know it has been touched."
"You would have done better to believe me," replied the wife. "I trust that no harm will come of it."