"In my youth I worked, and I still work. With God's good pleasure I may
e'en partake of the fruit of this tree I plant. I am in His hands."
"Tell me thy age," said the emperor.
"I have lived for a hundred years."
"A hundred years old, and still expect to eat from the fruit of this
tree?"
"If such be God's pleasure," replied the old man; "if not, I will leave
it for my son, as my father left the fruit of his labor for me."
"Well," said the emperor, "if thou dost live until the figs from this
tree are ripe, I pray thee let me know of it."
The aged man lived to partake of that very fruit, and remembering the
emperor's words, he resolved to visit him. So, taking a small basket, he
filled it with the choicest figs from the tree, and proceeded on his
errand. Telling the palace guard his purpose, he was admitted to the
sovereign's presence.
"Well," asked the emperor, "what is thy wish?"