d caught it. The bird pleaded hard for
liberty, saying:

"If thou wilt let me go, thy gain will be great, for I will give thee
three counsels that will hereafter be of use to thee."

The man listened to the bird and let it go. Flying to a tree close by
it perched on a branch, and said:

"Hearken and give thine ear to the three advices that will guide thee.
The first is, do not believe things that are incredible; the second
is, do not attempt to stretch out thine hand to a place thou art
unable to reach; and the third advice I give thee is, do not pine
after a thing that is past and gone. Take these my counsels and do not
forget them."

The bird then tempted the man, saying: "Inside of me there is a large
pearl of great value; it is both magnificent and splendid, and as
large as the egg of a kite."

Now, hearing this, the man repented at having let the bird go, the
color of his face went to sadness, and he at once stretched out his
hand to catch the swallow, but the latter said to the foolish man:

"What! Hast thou already forgotten the advice I gave thee, and the lie
which I told thee, hast thou considered as true? I had fallen into thy
hands, yet thou wert unable to retain me, and now thou art sorrowing
for the past for which there is no remedy."

Such are those that worship idols, and give the name of God to their
own handiwork. They have left aside God Almighty, and have forgotten
the Great Bestower of all good gifts.

WE KNOW NOT WHAT THE DAWN MAY BRING FORTH

In the age of the Janissaries the Minister of War, in all haste,
called the chief farrier of the Army and ordered him to have made
immediately two hundred thousand horseshoes. The farrier was aghast,
and explained that to make such a quantity of horseshoes, both time
and smiths would be required. The Minister replied:

"It is the order of his Majesty that these two hundred thousand
horseshoes be ready by to-morrow; if not, your head will pay the
penalty."

The poor farrier replied, that knowing now that he was doomed he would
be unable, through nervousness, to make even a fifth of the number.
The Minister would not listen to reason, and left in anger,
reiterating the order of his Majesty.

The farrier retired to his rooms deeply dejected. His wife,
woman-like, endeavored to encourage and comfort him, saying:

"Cheer up, husband, drink your raki, eat your meze, and be cheerful,
for we know not what the dawn may bring forth."

"Ah!" sa