point of death, called his neighbours
about him. The neighbours coming, began to eat and make merry, without
saying to the Cogia, 'Come and partake.' The Cogia incensed, got up and
went out. After a little time they sought for the Cogia, and could not
find him; so dispersing themselves about, they went after him, and at
last found him. 'Ho, Cogia,' said they, 'come, where have you got to?'
Said the Cogia, 'He who this day supplies the bridal meats has, surely, a
right to go into the bridal chamber.'
One day the Cogia, being out on a journey, encamped along with a caravan,
and tied up his horse along with the others. When it was morning the
Cogia could not find his horse amongst the rest, not knowing how to
distinguish it; forthwith taking a bow and arrow in his hand, he said,
'Men, men, I have lost my horse.' Every one laughing, took his own
horse; and the Cogia looking, saw a horse which he instantly knew to be
his own. Forthwith placing his right foot in the stirrup, he mounted the
horse, so that his face looked to the horse's tail. 'O Cogia,' said
they, 'why do you mount the horse the wrong way?' 'It is not my fault,'
said he, 'but the horse's, for the horse is left-handed.'
The Cogia had a disciple, who was an Abyssinian, black, of the name of
Hamet. One day Hamet having inadvertently broken a bottle of ink over
the Cogia, 'What is this, Cogia?' said the others. 'Don't you think a
few good kicks would be a useful lesson to our Hamet?' 'Let him be. He
got into a sweat by running,' said the Cogia, 'and melted over me.'
One day the Cogia having mounted up into the pulpit, said, 'O Mussulmen,
I have a piece of advice to give you. If you have sons, take care that
you do not give them the name of Eiioub (Job).' 'Why, O Cogia?' cried
the people. 'Lest the quality should accompany the name,' he replied,
'and they should all become ips (ropes).'
One day as the Cogia was performing ablution, he found he had not
sufficient water. When the hour of prayer came on, he stood like a goose
on one foot. 'O Cogia Efendi,' said the people, 'why do you do so?'
'Because,' said the Cogia, 'this foot has not performed ablution.'
One day a man arriving, became the guest of the Cogia. It happened at
night, some time after they had lain down, that the light went out. 'O
Cogia Efendi,' said the guest, 'the taper is gone out. But there is a
taper on your right side; pray bring it, and let us light it.' 'Surely
you
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