“Brother, I shall do my business accounts, calculate my net worth for the year, and after subtracting the capital, whatever the profit happens to be, I shall divide it equally between you and myself. When I examined my books and subtracted the capital, I found out that my profit was two thousand dinars, and I thanked God and felt very happy. Then I divided the money, giving him a thousand dinars and keeping a thousand for myself. With that money he opened another shop, and the three of us stayed together for a while. Then my tow brothers asked me to go on a trading journey with them, but I refused, saying, “What did you gain from your ventures that I can gain?”
Added Tale Begins:
It is related, O happy King, that the older brother, one of the dogs in the second old man’s tale said:
[The Second Old Man’s Older Brother’s Tale]
Brother, this is my story about my venture after selling the contents of my shop for a thousand dinars and buying trading goods. I journeyed to a distant land and it was no easy journey. For three months, all I could see was a the never ending blue ocean. I came upon an island. I entered the island, only to find a secluded group of soothsayers and those who practice magic. They did not live a life of trading merchandise and goods but instead traded knowledge and the arts. After growing familiar with these hospitable soothsayers, I met a beautiful young woman. She said, “O my lord, I see you have interest in magic. Be my apprentice and learn the arts.” I replied, “I would be honored and will repay you for your tutelage.” I studied under her for six months. Once this time had passed, she revealed her true intentions. My teacher was intending on using me as a sacrifice for a ritual. I fled, leaving my goods and fortune with her, feeling as if I should still pay her for her guidance. I returned to the shoreline and told my story to the group of soothsayers who had welcomed me so. Despite my poor fortune, they admired my act of gratitude and we worked together to procure a ship that would allow me to sail the seas and return home. I departed without a single dinar but with the blessings of those that I had met on the island. I believe without their kindness and charity, I would not have been able to stand before you today, my dear brothers.
[The Second Old Man’s Younger Brother’s Tale]
If his story doesn’t convince you yet, brother of mine, I’d also like to tell you about my venture. I took all the dinars from selling the shop, gathered a group of merchants, bought necessary goods for a long journey, built a ship and decided to sail and find an isolated island to live. We eat, drink, sing and dance all day long without worrying about nothing. But then one night, a huge storm came and completely destroyed our ship. We were drowning as each of us tried to hold onto whatever in reach and tried to stay afloat. We were screaming for helps, totally aware that we are in the middle of nowhere. Then miracle happens. None of us had no idea how but next morning we found each other laying on the shoreline of an island, surely believing that we are already dead. I came young women standing not too far, noticing that she had extra-large ears and asked if she knew anything happen to them. She said “It was me and my girls that pulling you and your crew to the land. We heard your screaming in the middle of the night and swam far out to send you to the land. It happens a lot around here. You guys aren’t the only ones.” Turn out, only women can live on this island. They all have enormous ears and are all exceptional swimmers. They lost count of times that they heard crews drowning and screaming for helps but never hesitated once to help. Even better, they gave us a ship and enough fruits to sail back and survive. This type of kindness is rarely seen and you need to see more of that, brother.