The just KingKisra Anoushirwanwas hunting one day and became separated from his suitein pursuit of an antelope.
Presentlyhe caught sight of a hamletnear at handand being sore athirstmade for the door of a housethat stood by the waysideand asked for a draught of water. A damsel came out and looked at him；thengoing back into the housepressed the juice from a sugar-cane into a tankard and mixed it with water；after which she strewed on the top somewhat of perfumeas it were dustand carried it to the King. He took it and seeing in it what resembled dustdrank itlittle by littletill he came to the end. Then said he to her'O damselthe drink is good and sweetbut for this dust in itthat troubles it.'O guest，'answered she'I put that inof intent.'And why didst thou thus？'asked he；and she replied'I saw that thou wast exceeding thirsty and feared that thou wouldst swallow the whole at one draught and that this would do thee a mischief；and so hadst thou donebut for this dust that troubled the drink.'The King wondered at her wit and good sense and said to her'How many sugar-canes didst thou press for this draught？'
'One，'answered she；whereat the King marvelled and calling for the roll of the taxes of the villagesaw that its assessment was but little and bethought him to increase iton his return to his palacesaying in himself'Why is a village so lightly taxedwhere they get this much juice out of one sugar-cane？'
Then he left the village and pursued his chase. As he came back at the end of the dayhe passed alone by the same door and called again for drink；whereupon the same damsel came out and knowing himwent in to fetch him drink. It was some time before she returned and the King wondered at this and said to her'Why hast thou tarried？'Quoth she'Because one sugar-cane yielded not enough for thy need. So I pressed three；but they yielded not so much as did one aforetime.'What is the cause of that？'asked the King；and she answered'The cause of it is that the King's mind is changed.'Quoth he'How knewst thou that？'We hear from the wise，'replied she'thatwhen the King's mind is changed against a folktheir prosperity ceaseth and their good waxeth less.'Anoushirwan laughed and put away from his mind that which he had purposed against the people of the village. Moreoverhe took the damsel to wife then and therebeing pleased with her much wit and acuteness and the excellence of her speech.
