s another little leaden
box: in one was a finger-ring of gold set with a red stone, in the other
was a finger-ring of iron set with nothing at all.

That was all the box held; nevertheless, that was the greatest catch
that ever any fisherman made in the world; for, though Selim the one or
Selim the other knew no more of the matter than the cat under the stove,
the gold ring was the Ring of Luck and the iron ring was the Ring of
Wisdom.

Inside of the gold ring were carved these letters: "Whosoever wears me,
shall have that which all men seek--for so it is with good-luck in this
world."

Inside of the iron ring were written these words: "Whosoever wears me,
shall have that which few men care for--and that is the way it is with
wisdom in our town."

"Well," said Selim the Baker, and he slipped the gold ring of good-luck
on his finger, "I have driven a good bargain, and you have paid for your
loaf of bread."

"But what will you do with the other ring?" said Selim the Fisherman.

"Oh, you may have that," said Selim the Baker.

Well, that evening, as Selim the Baker sat in front of his shop in the
twilight smoking a pipe of tobacco, the ring he wore began to work. Up
came a little old man with a white beard, and he was dressed all in gray
from top to toe, and he wore a black velvet cap, and he carried a long
staff in his hand. He stopped in front of Selim the Baker, and stood
looking at him a long, long time. At last--"Is your name Selim?" said
he.

"Yes," said Selim the Baker, "it is."

"And do you wear a gold ring with a red stone on your finger?"

"Yes," said Selim, "I do."

"Then come with me," said the little old man, "and I will show you the
wonder of the world."

"Well," said Selim the Baker, "that will be worth the seeing, at any
rate." So he emptied out his pipe of tobacco, and put on his hat and
followed the way the old man led.

Up one street they went, and down another, and here and there through
alleys and byways where Selim had never been before. At last they came
to where a high wall ran along the narrow street, with a garden behind
it, and by-and-by to an iron gate. The old man rapped upon the gate
three times with his knuckles, and cried in a loud voice, "Open to
Selim, who wears the Ring of Luck!"

Then instantly the gate swung open, and Selim the Baker followed the old
man into the garden.

Bang! shut the gate behind him, and there he was.

There he was! And such a place he had never