Some of the stories told on these occasions are adaptations [Pg vi]of those already known in Arabic and Persian literature, but the Turkish mind gives them a new setting and a peculiar philosophy. They are characteristic of the habits, customs, and methods of thought of the people, and for this reason seem worthy of preservation.

CONTENTS

HOW THE HODJA SAVED ALLAH

BETTER IS THE FOLLY OF WOMAN THAN THE WISDOM OF MAN

THE HANOUM AND THE UNJUST CADI

WHAT HAPPENED TO HADJI, A MERCHANT OF THE BEZESTAN

HOW THE JUNKMAN TRAVELLED TO FIND TREASURE IN HIS OWN YARD

HOW CHAPKIN HALID BECAME CHIEF DETECTIVE

HOW COBBLER AHMET BECAME THE CHIEF ASTROLOGER

THE WISE SON OF ALI PASHA

THE MERCIFUL KHAN

KING KARA-KUSH OF BITHYNIA

THE PRAYER RUG AND THE DISHONEST STEWARD

THE GOOSE, THE EYE, THE DAUGHTER, AND THE ARM

THE FORTY WISE MEN

HOW THE PRIEST KNEW THAT IT WOULD SNOW

WHO WAS THE THIRTEENTH SON?

PARADISE SOLD BY THE YARD

JEW TURNED TURK

THE METAMORPHOSIS

THE CALIF OMAR

KALAIDJI AVRAM OF BALATA

HOW MEHMET ALI PASHA OF EGYPT ADMINISTERED JUSTICE

HOW THE FARMER LEARNED TO CURE HIS WIFE: A TURKISH ÆSOP

THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS

THE SWALLOW'S ADVICE

WE KNOW NOT WHAT THE DAWN MAY BRING FORTH

OLD MEN MADE YOUNG

THE BRIBE

HOW THE DEVIL LOST HIS WAGER

THE EFFECTS OF RAKI