（Quoth one of the erudite）I passed once by a [schoolin which a] schoolmastercomely of aspect and well dressedwas teaching children；so I enteredand he rose and made me sit with him. Then I examined him in the Koran and in syntax and poetry and lexicographyand found him perfect in all that was required of him and said to him'God strengthen thy purpose！
Thou art indeed versed in all that is sought of thee.' So I frequented him awhilediscovering daily some new excellence in himand said to myself'This is indeed a wonder in a schoolmaster；for the understanding are agreed upon the lack of wit of those that teach children.' Then I separated myself from him and sought him out and visited him [only] every few days，tillone daycoming to see him as of wontI found the school shut and made enquiry of the neighbourswho said'Some one is dead in his house.' So I said to myself'It behoves me to pay him a visit of condolence，' and going to his houseknocked at the door. A slave-girl came out to me and said'What dost thou want？'I want thy master，' answered I. Quoth she'He is sitting alonemourning.'Tell him，' rejoined I'that his friend so and so seeks to condole with him.' She went in and told him；and he said'Admit him.' So she brought me in to himand I found him seated alone and his head bound [with the fillets of mourning]. 'May God amply requite thee！' said I.
'This is a road all must perforce traveland it behoves thee to take patience. But who is dead unto thee？'One who was dearest and best beloved of the folk to me，' answered he. Quoth I'Perhaps thy father？' He replied'No；' and I said'Thy mother？'No，' answered he. 'Thy brother？'No.'One of thy kindred？'No.'Then，' asked I'what relation was the dead to thee？'My mistress，' answered he. Quoth I to myself'This is the first sign of his lack of wit.' Then I said to him'There are others than she and fairer；' and he answered'I never saw herthat I might judge whether or no there be others fairer than she.' Quoth I to myself'This is another sign' Then I said to him'And how couldst thou fall in love with one thou hast never seen？' Quoth he'I was sitting one day at the windowwhen there passed by a mansinging the following verse：
Umm AmriGod requite thee thy generosity！ Give back my heartpritheewherever it may be！
When I heard thisI said to myself'Except this Umm Amri were without equal in the worldthe poets had not celebrated her in amorous verse.' So I fell in love with her；buttwo days afterthe same man passedsinging the following verse：
The jackass with Umm Amri departed；butalasUmm Amri！ She returned not againnor did the ass.
Thereupon I knew that she was dead and mourned for her. This was three days agoand I have been mourning ever since.' So I left him and went awayhaving assured myself of the feebleness of his wit.
