The wife of a Darwish was with child, and the term of pregnancy completed. The Darwish, who never yet had a son, said, “If the Almighty will grant me a son, I will distribute in charity to the poor all that I possess, excepting the religious habit on my back.” It happened that his wife was delivered of a son, at which he rejoiced, and made an entertainment for his friends, conformably to his vow.
Some years after, when I returned from a journey to Damascus, I passed by the place where the durwaish had dwelt, and asked how he went on. They told me he was in the town jail. I asked the reason. They replied,” His son got drunk, had a quarrel, and killed a man, and fled out of the city, on which account they had put a chain about the father’s neck, and heavy fetters on his feet.” I said: “His own prayer brought down this misfortune from god. O men of understanding, it is better, in the opinion of the wise, that a woman in labor should bring forth a serpent than wicked children.”
