CONTENTS.
Reading edition
FLOWERS FROM A PERSIAN GARDEN.
I
Sketch of the Life of the Persian Poet Saádí—Character of his Writings—the Gulistán, or Rose-Garden—Prefaces to Books—Preface to the Gulistán—Eastern Poets in praise of Springtide
II
Boy’s Archery Feat—Advantages of Abstinence—Núshirván on Oppression—Boy in terror at Sea—Pride of Ancestry—Misfortunes of Friends—Fortitude and Liberality—Prodigality—Stupid Youth—Advantages of Education—The Fair Cup-bearer—‘January and May’—Why an Old Man did not Marry—The Dervish who became King—Muezzin and Preacher who had bad voices—Witty Slave—Witty Kází—Astrologer and his Faithless Wife—Objectionable Neighbour
III
On Taciturnity: Parallels from Caxton’s Dictes and preface to Kalíla wa Dimna—Difference between Devotee and Learned Man—To get rid of Troublesome Visitors—Fable of the Nightingale and the Ant—Aphorisms of Saádí—Conclusion
ORIENTAL WIT AND HUMOUR.
I
Man a Laughing Animal—Antiquity of Popular Jests—‘Night and Day’—The Plain-featured Bride—The House of Condolence—The Blind Man’s Wife—Two Witty Persian Ladies—Woman’s Counsel—The Turkish Jester: in the Pulpit; the Cauldron; the Beggar; the Drunken Governor; the Robber; the Hot Broth—Muslim Preachers and Misers
II
The Two Deaf Men and the Traveller—The Deaf Persian and the Horseman—Lazy Servants—Chinese Humour: The Rich Man and the Smiths; How to keep Plants alive; Criticising a Portrait—The Persian Courtier and his old Friend—The Scribe—The Schoolmaster and the Wit—The Persian and his Cat—A List of Blockheads—The Arab and his Camel—A Witty Baghdádí—The Unlucky Slippers
III
The Young Merchant of Baghdád; or, the Wiles of Woman
IV
Ashaab the Covetous—The Stingy Merchant and the Hungry Bedouin—The Sect of Samradians—The Story-teller and the King—Royal Gifts to Poets—The Persian Poet and the Impostor—‘Stealing Poetry’—The Rich Man and the Poor Poet
V
Unlucky Omens—The Old Man’s Prayer—The Old Woman in the Mosque—The Weeping Turkmans—The Ten Foolish Peasants—The Wakeful Servant—The Three Dervishes—The Oilman’s Parrot—The Moghul and his Parrot—The Persian Shopkeeper and the Prime Minister—Hebrew Facetiæ
TALES OF A PARROT.
I
General Plan of Eastern Story-books—The Tútí Náma, or Parrot-Book—The Frame-story—The Stolen Images—The Woman carved out of Wood—The Man whose Mare was kicked by a Merchant’s Horse
II
The Emperor’s Dream—The Golden Apparition—The Four Treasure-seekers
III
The Singing Ass: the Foolish Thieves: the Faggot-maker and the Magic Bowl
IV
The Goldsmith who lost his Life through Covetousness—The King who died of Love for a Merchant’s Daughter—The Discovery of Music—The Seven Requisites of a Perfect Woman
V
The Princess of Rome and her Son—The Seven Vazírs
VI
The Tree of Life—Legend of Rájá Rasálú—Conclusion
ADDITIONAL NOTE:
The Magic Bowl, etc.
RABBINICAL LEGENDS, TALES, FABLES, AND APHORISMS.
I
Introductory: Authors, Traducers, and Moral Teachings of Talmud
II
Legends of some Biblical Characters: Adam and Eve—Cain and Abel—The Planting of the Vine—Luminous Jewels—Abraham’s Arrival in Egypt—The Infamous Citizens of Sodom—Abraham and Ishmael’s Wives—Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife—Joseph and his Brethren—Jacob’s Sorrow—Moses and Pharaoh
III
Legends of David and Solomon, etc.
IV
Moral and Entertaining Tales: Rabbi Jochonan and the Poor Woman—A Safe Investment—The Jewels—The Capon-carver
V
Moral Tales, Tables, and Parables: The Dutiful Son—An Ingenious Will—Origin of Beast-Fables—The Fox and the Bear—The Fox in the Garden—The Desolate Island—The Man and his Three Friends—The Garments—Solomon’s Choice—Bride and Bridegroom—Abraham and the Idols—The Vanity of Ambition—The Seven Stages of Human Life
VI
Wise Sayings of the Rabbis
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Adam and the Oil of Mercy
Muslim Legend of Adam’s Punishment, Pardon, Death, and Burial
Moses and the Poor Woodcutter
Precocious Sagacity of Solomon
Solomon and the Serpent’s Prey
The Capon-carver
The Fox and the Bear
The Desolate Island
Other Rabbinical Legends and Tales
AN ARABIAN TALE OF LOVE.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
‘Wamik and Asra’
Another Famous Arabian Lover
APOCRYPHAL LIFE OF ESOP.
ADDITIONAL NOTE:
Drinking the Sea Dry