Adventure In The Desert
In days gone by people crossed the desert always in large groups. It was because there were gangs of bandits on the prowl for helpless travellers. Shem, a poor villager, once decided to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. He found two other villagers to accompany him. But only three persons could hardly stand against any attack. That is why they followed a caravan of merchants which was on its way to Mecca. The leader of the caravan took a liking for the witty and good-natured Shem. Shem's travel was smooth. But one day Shem and his two companions were still asleep when the caravan resumed its journey early in the morning. The people of the caravan had just forgotten them. On waking up, the travellers walked as fast as they could to catch up with the caravan. But they had not gone far when a young bandit, riding a horse, confronted them with his long sword. Now, this young bandit was a terror in the desert. He was as swift as a breeze and as cruel as a monster. He was extremely proud of the speed with which he could strike his victims dead. He made a lightning movement of his sword and all the three travellers fell. He laughed and got off his horse, and throwing his sword on the ground, began to reach the dead travellers for money.
Shem's companions had indeed been killed, but not Shem. He had sprawled on the ground before the bandit's sword had reached him, after cutting down the other two. The bandit did not know that he was alive. Shem suddenly picked up the bandit's sword and drove it through him, killing him instantly. Then he rode the horse but did not know where to go. The horse rambled about for a while and then galloped on. Shem did not stop it. By evening it reached an oasis. Under a few palm trees and beside a narrow stream there were some houses. The people of the oasis came out at the sight of the horse. They looked in surprise at Shem. Shem realised that they were the kinsmen of the young bandit whom he killed. He knew he was in great danger. However, he managed to remain calm. The chief of the tribe came forward and demanded to know what happened to the owner of the horse. "O, good man! the rider of this horse, a brave lad, charged at a party of pilgrims. He killed some but was captured. He would have been killed, but he offered me to pay money in exchange for his life. The price fixed for his life is one lakh dinars. He said that if someone would report his misfortune to his kinsmen, the price would be paid. He further said that the horse would lead the messenger to his village. But who would dare to visit a bandit's den? The young man was about to put to death. But I took pity on him and came here," said Shem.
The people looked at one another. They could not dismiss Shem's story easily. The life of their bravest young man was at stake. At the same time, they were not prepared to hand over one lakh dinars to a stranger. "Don't just hand over the money to me. Come with me. Pay the amount to our leader and take delivery of the prisoner," proposed Shem. Shem was entertained to sumptuous dishes. Early in the morning, ten hefty fellows followed him with the money. Shem spotted the caravan after two days. He asked the ten riders to stop. "Let me go and inform the leader about your arrival. Otherwise, they might take us as a gang of bandits and attack us," he said. Then he went forward alone and informed the caravan what had happened. All were thrilled at his adventure. Shem signalled the ten fellows to come closer. They greeted the leader and handed over the amount. Instantly they were taken, prisoners. "Let them be killed," shouted the leader. "Please spare them their lives," pleaded Shem. The leader agreed to do so. The ten fellows lost their horses to the caravan and had to return to their oasis barefooted and broken-hearted. We don't know when they reached the oasis or if they reached at all. Shem kept the money and let the horses be owned by the leader of the caravan.
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