The Kazi and The Mysterious Lady
The gate of the ancient city of Cairo was guarded by an officer called the Muqaddam. When it would go dark, he would lock the gate and return home. That was the practice. One evening, he had just finished offering his prayer to the Almighty, a small purse fell before him. He picked it up and opened it and saw in it a hundred gold coins He looked in all directions but saw not a single soul. "What am I to do with the money?" he asked himself. Before long he answered himself, "I'd be a fool to leave it here." And happily, he took the purse home. A purse with yet another hundred gold coins fell again the next evening. But this time the incident was followed by a giggle. And slowly a beautiful face emerged from hiding. "So, it is you who have been throwing money purses! But why?" asked the surprised Muqaddam. "Frankly, for a favor from you," replied the charming young lady.
Then she said, "When you would pass the Kazi's home at night tomorrow, you will see me lying in a drunken state before the Kazi's door. Please call the guards and hand me over to them." "Even if I don't call them, they will find you and lead you to the city watch house. Must you give me money for just calling the guards?" asked the Muqaddam. "My dear sir, when the guards would propose to lead me to the city watch house, you have to warn them against doing so, pointing at the costly clothes on my person. You should advise them to leave me in the Kazi's custody until my identity had been established. You can tell them that I might be the daughter of a noble house," explained the young lady. "Hm!" the Muqaddam seemed uncertain. "For this much of your trouble, your profit will be three hundred coins more," assured the lady with a bewitching smile. Muqaddam made up his mind at once. "Let it be so," he said. It happened exactly as planned. The Mukaddam found the lady sprawling in front of the Kazi's mansion and shouted for the guards. Several of them came running there. They brought torches and lamps and were amazed to see the lady lying in that condition. "She is drunk," commented the Muqaddam. "Right. Let us drag her to the watch-house," proposed a guard. "Do so only if you wish to lose your head in the morning. Don't you see her glittering raiment and the dazzling necklace? I won't be surprised if she were found to be a princess! Carry her to the watch-house, eh?" said the Muqaddam. "Er..er. What are we to do with her then?" asked the guards. "Why? Let her be left in the Kazi's custody," advised the Muqaddam.
The Kazi had already come out, attracted by their arguments. The Mukaddam related to him the situation and suggested that the lady be given a place in his home for the night. The Kazi found the suggestion sensible. Maybe, she comes from a famous house. By giving her protection, he might earn a reward. To feel safe, he led the lady into a room that was adjacent to his bedroom. It was in that room that he had hoarded most of his ill-earned wealth. "She is not likely to regain sense before morning," he thought and went to sleep. In the morning, pushing open the door of the lady's room, he found that not only she was missing, but also all his wealth! He scratched his head and pulled his beard and groaned in anguish. Then he shouted for his guards and asked them to summon the Muqaddam. When the Muqaddam was produced before him hours later, he screamed at him, "You advised me to lodge that lady in my home and she stole away all I had. You deserve to be put to death!" The Mukaddam was panicky. With tears in his eyes, he pleaded with him to be allowed a week's time and if he could not get the lady arrested, he would be ready to die. The night before the dawn of the seventh day, while passing through a dark lane, he heard a familiar voice calling him, "O Sir, Muqaddam!" He stopped. The lady walked up to him. But the Muqaddam had grown too weak to take hold of her.
"Don't dream of capturing me. I have my followers hiding here. The Kazi had unjustly usurped my father's property. So I burgled his house. His mansion is heavily guarded day and night. I could not have gained entry without your help!" she said thankfully. "But I am going to die for helping you," murmured the Muqaddam. "He cannot kill you. You are the Sultan's officer. The Sultan has to approve of the sentence the Kazi would pass on you," said the lady and she told him what he should do. She gave him a fat bag full of money. The Mukaddam took some fellow-officers with him and met the Kazi in the morning. "I have searched the whole city. I did not find the lady. You can pass a death sentence on me if you do, please. But I'd like to request the Sultan to search your house and compound thoroughly. The lady could not have dissolved into the air. If she is not anywhere else, I am afraid, she is here, if not alive, dead!" declared the Muqaddam. The Kazi scratched his head and pulled his beard again. He knew that a search would not show the lady, but would reveal a lot of other things. He had many a skeleton in his cupboard! "Go away!" he shouted. The Mukaddam obeyed him smartly and thanking the mysterious lady at heart.
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