She replied, "The meaning of the moon being full was that the big round
bread was whole. When the stranger replied that the day was the
thirteenth I knew that a piece of the bread was gone, and that it was as
the moon is on the thirteenth day of the lunar month. The meaning of the
many stars in the heavens was that the dish was covered with pieces of
chopped egg. When he told me that the stars were only one by one in the
heavens, I knew that some of the food had been taken, but when he said
that there were many stars, I knew that the food was covered all over
with the egg, and so that the chicken underneath was safe.
"The meaning of the tides being spring tides was that the jug was
brimful of milk; but when he sent word that the tides were neap tides, I
knew that some of the milk had been taken. So you see, my father, that
this stranger is a man of wisdom."
Then the Wali was very sorry that he had not understood the stranger's
words, and that he had not asked him to his house. So he went
straightway to the mosque to look for him, and when he had found him he
brought him home again and gave him food, and asked his pardon, saying,
"I did not at first understand your words, now I know their meaning."