"Craig Shaw Gardner - Arabian 3 - The Last Arabian Night" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gardner Craig Shaw)

"The merchant trembled at this accusation and was further at a loss for
a suitable reply.
'''It happened as my son was streamlining his magic carpet,' the djinni
further bemoaned. 'You know that things never go fast enough for the
young. He looked up at the precise moment that one of the date stones
fell, and hit him in-well-that fatal spot that all djinn have and that I
would not even mention to you if I was not shortly to murder you.'

"But, with that most recent mention of murder, the merchant's wits once
again reacqainted themselves with his head, and he rediscovered his
voice.

" That is a tragic tale,' he said to the djinni. 'But I ask for a boon.'

"'A boon?' the djinni replied in a tone that indicated his displeasure.

" 'While I have no doubt caused the death of your son,' the merchant
quickly explained, 'I submit to you that I had no knowledge of this act
until it was done. Therefore will I tell you that I am an honorable man,
and always fulfill my obligations. But, to go to my death with a clear
heart, there are certain debts and obligations that I must discharge.
Therefore, I ask you for one week's time to put my affairs in order. At
the end of this time, we shall meet here again, and you shall do as you
will.'

"The djinni pondered this request. This merchant certainly spoke with
great sincerity, and, while this human was also responsible for the death
of his son, the djinni did not wish to appear to be an unreasonable
entity. Therefore did he grant the merchant the week to finish his affairs.
But, at week's end, the merchant had to swear that he would return, so
that the djinni could wreak his terrible revenge.

"And with that, the djinni returned to his ravine, and the merchant
swiftly traveled back to his home city and discharged all that he
considered fair and equitable among those to whom he owed monies,
and those who owed monies to him. And so it was that the merchant
bade a final farewell to all his friends and family, and then returned, as
promised, to that spot where his death awaited him."

The tale is interrupted, this time by the birds

At this point, Scheherazade paused to take a breath. And her younger
sister, the fair Dunyazad, spoke to say, "Listen! It is almost morning! I
hear the calling of the birds!"

"Indeed, you are correct," Scheherazade replied humbly. "I have most
assuredly spoken for far too long. It is the greatest of shames that I
have had a chance to tell but a mere portion of my tale, and those great
marvels, miracles, and reversals of fortune that were to happen later in
the story will have to remain unsaid."