Once upon a time a mouse dwelt in the house of a merchant who owned
much merchandise and great stories of monies. One night, a flea took
shelter in the merchant's carpet-bed and, finding his body soft, and
being thirsty drank of his blood. The merchant was awakened by the
smart of the bite and sitting up called to his slave-girls and serving
men. So they hastened to him and, tucking up their sleeves, fell to
searching for the flea; but as soon as the bloodsucker was aware of the
search, he turned to flee and coming on the mouse's home, entered it.
When the mouse saw him, she said to him, "What bringeth thee in to me,
thou who art not of my nature nor of my kind, and who canst not be
assured of safety from violence or of not being expelled with roughness
and ill usage?" Answered the flea, "Of a truth, I took refuge in thy
dwelling to save me from slaughter; and I have come to thee seeking thy
protection and on nowise coveting thy house; nor shall any mischief
betide thee from me to make thee leave thy home. Nay I hope right soon
to repay thy favours to me with all good and then shalt thou see and
praise the issue of my words." And when the mouse heard the speech of
the flea, - And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying
her permitted say.