NEW OPPORTUNITIES
OFTEN the governor had dinner parties for his friends. These were
always a delight to Karim, who helped to make the room ready. First
the servants spread upon the richly woven carpet a coloured cloth that
covered the entire centre of the long room. Along the edges of this
cloth a man next spread the large flaps of thin whole wheat bread. Then
the centre was filled with all kinds of good things to eat. There were
large plates heaped high with pilav, well buttered and mixed with bits
of orange and spices, and topped with pieces of well cooked chicken.
Near by in other dishes were bits of mutton in spiced gravies. The
yellow curry, in saucers, was placed near the rice, all ready to be
mixed with it. Other dishes held cold rice, cooked in milk and sugar
until it was almost solid. Often there were large dishes of cucumbers,
tomatoes, or apples, with their centres cut out and filled with spiced
meats and thoroughly cooked. There were side dishes of sweet preserves,
and of red peppers.
The guests left their shoes at the door, and sat down on the floor
next to the table cloth. Each rested on his heels, flattening out the
instep. He was careful not to move his legs at all during the meal,
no matter how tired they became, because that would suggest that he
was not enjoying the entertainment. Each guest was also careful to sit
further from the governor than other guests of higher rank. If he did
not, the guest whose place he had taken would probably have disgraced
him by making him get up and change his seat.
When the eating began every one was busy. Each tore off little pieces
of bread, and with their help took the meat or rice from the dishes.
There were no separate plates, or knives or forks. Once in a while the
governor with his own hand poked a piece of food into the mouth of the
guest who sat next to him. This was a great compliment. The servants
went softly about in stocking feet, seeing that the dishes were kept
full.
When all had eaten enough, the table cloth was cleared, and sherbet,
or sweetened water, was brought in, with plates of candy and small
sweet cakes. Karim carried around a pitcher of water, while another
servant went with him, carrying a basin and towel. Each guest washed
his hands. By this time many in the room were laughing and chatting.
Sometimes the conversation was kept up for several hours, until tea and
the kalian had been passed around.
Meantime the servants, in another room, were having a splendid feast
with the food left by the guests. So much was cooked that there was
always plenty to spare. When they finished eating, the dishes were
passed out to the hostlers; lastly, the hostlers passed on the scraps
to the beggars waiting at the gate, so that nothing was lost.
One day, when Karim was sitting alone in the mirza's room, a stranger
entered.
"Peace be to you," said Karim.
"May you have peace. Is not the mirza in?"
"He has been called by the agha--whose life God will lengthen!--and is
very busy."
"Has he no time, then, to write a letter for me? Do you know of any one
who can compose a good letter?"
"Indeed," replied Karim, who wanted to show what he knew, "the mirza,
when I help him, says that my writing is second only to his. If my
letter does not please you, come again when the mirza is not busy. What
is your need?"
"Yesterday," said the man, "a merchant sent me some splendid
pomegranates. He has made my face to shine, and I wish to thank him. I
wish also to beg him to send me some more."
Karim opened the pen case, and took out a reed pen, which he sharpened
and smoothed. Then he took a roll of paper, trimmed it with the
scissors, and rubbed its edges with saffron. Putting the paper on his
knee as he sat on the floor he began to write, pushing the pen across
the paper from right to left.
[Illustration: "PUTTING THE PAPER ON HIS KNEE AS HE SAT ON THE FLOOR."]
When he was through he read the letter to the man.
"That is just the kind of letter I want," he said.
"Very well," said Karim, "I shall seal it. Where is your seal?"
He took the man's seal, engraved on a bit of agate, and after wetting
it with the thick ink, pressed it on the paper. Then he folded the
letter and handed it to the man, who thanked him many times, and
offered him ten shahis in payment.
When Karim told the mirza what he had written the latter said, "You
have learned quickly from me how to compose well. Let me keep on
teaching you, and you will become almost as skilful as I."
This is a translation of the letter that Karim composed:
"My kind, honourable and respected master, whose honour
I hope may last:
"Just when my weak mind was planning to ask you about
the state of your health, which is so important to us,
the noble, famous and wise Sayid Ibrahim (I hope that
his life may be lengthened!) unexpectedly gave me your
kind letter. When I opened the letter it seemed to me
that I was uncorking a bottle of rose-water. When its
perfume of love reached the nose of my soul, because it
brought me the news of your good health, I was as full
of joy as I could be. And by showing me your favour,
that is, by sending me the pomegranates, you have made
me very glad. I hope that you will always gladden my
heart with this kind of favour, each year sending me
the happy news of your own good health. My longing eye
is all the time looking up the street.
"I wish this letter to carry some sign of my love, so
I am sending you with it a pair of gloves. Wear them,
please, for the sake of remembering me.
"RASHID."