English
Bahram and Lambak the Water Carrier
It happened that one day Bahram Shah went out to hunt lions with a band of brave warriors.
An old man came forward, a staff in his hand, and said to him: 'God-fearing king,
on your road lives a man rich in silver and gold, a deceitful, evil-hearted Jew.
There is also the generous Lambak, a water carrier, known for a fine table and pleasant conversation.'
The king asked his attendants who these people were, whose story the old man was telling.
A well-known man answered him: 'Noble and celebrated sovereign,
this Lambak is a water seller, a generous man with a good table and pleasant speech.
For half the day he tends to selling water; the other half he looks for a guest along the road.
He keeps nothing from today for tomorrow, and wants no leftovers to remain in his house.
On your road there is also a stingy, worthless Jew, whose greed can never be hidden.
He has silver coins, treasure, and gold too, silk carpets and every kind of goods.'
The king ordered a town crier: 'Go and shout aloud in front of the marketplace,
that anyone who buys water from Lambak the water carrier will not enjoy drinking it.'
He waited until the sun turned yellow, then, weary and drained, mounted his horse.
He came to Lambak's house like the wind, knocked on the door and called out:
'I am a chieftain of the Iranian army; when night fell dark I was separated from the king.
If you let me stay in this house tonight, it would be pure kindness and grace.'
Lambak was gladdened by his voice and by his fine, agreeable words.
He told him: 'Come in quickly, rider; may the king be pleased with you.
Even if ten men were with you, I would welcome every one of them upon my own head.'
Bahram Shah dismounted from his horse, and Lambak took charge of the animal.
Happily he rubbed it down with something, and set a tether around its neck.
When Bahram sat down, Lambak ran and brought out a fine chess set.
He brought a bowl full of food, and set out every kind of dish.
He said to Bahram: 'Worthy man, put away the game pieces and turn to eating.'
The king saw what Lambak had laid before him; he smiled and set it in the place of honor.
When the meal was eaten, at once the host cheerfully brought a cup of wine.
Bahram drank until he grew merry, then reached out for the food.
He marveled at the feast, at the fine talk, and at the man's fresh, cheerful face.
He slept that night, and early at dawn the king opened his eyes at his host's voice.
Lambak said to Bahram Gur: 'Surely your mount went hungry through the night.
Be only my guest for this one day too; and if you want company, I will call someone.
I will bring whatever is needed; stay with us in joy just for today.'
The king said to the water carrier: 'Today we have little to do,
and though I must eventually leave here, I will stay right here with you.'
Lambak blessed him many times, and his words made his face brighter still.
Lambak went and drew a good deal of water, but no buyer for his water appeared.
He grew troubled, pulled off his shirt, and pawned his water gear.
He took the money, quickly bought meat, and came back home like wind and smoke.
He cooked, they ate, and they called for wine; they set up yet another gathering.
That dark night, cup in hand, Lambak the water carrier gave himself to the wine.
When night turned to day, Lambak rose quickly and hurried to Bahram.
He said: 'On this third day be happy; be free of toil, sorrow, and struggle.
Join hands with me for this one day as well; consider it as if you had given me gold and treasure.'
Bahram said to him: 'God forbid we should not be happy for a third day too.'
The water carrier blessed him and said: 'May you stay clear-hearted and paired with good fortune.'
He went to the market, took his waterskin and gear, and left them as a pledge with a well-off man.
He bought what was needed and came running, glad, back to Bahram.
He said to him: 'Help me with the cooking, for a man is nourished by good food.'
Bahram quickly took the meat from him, cut it up, and added it to the dishes on the fire.
When the meal was eaten they took up the cup, and first they spoke the great king's name.
When the wine was drunk, Lambak made a bed for him, and set a candle at his pillow.
On the fourth day, when the sun blazed forth, Bahram Gur woke from sleep.
The host came and said: 'Renowned one, you have stayed in this cramped, dark house.
You are not at ease in this home, unless you have no fear of the king of Iran.
Stay two more weeks in this poor house, if your heart so desires.'
Bahram Shah blessed him: 'May you be glad and happy through every month and year.
For three days we were happy in this house, so that we remembered the kings of the world.
I will speak of your deeds in a certain place, which will brighten your heart and your fortune,
so that this hospitality of yours will bear fruit; the more you give, the more it will grant you a throne and a crown.'
Like a whirlwind he saddled his horse and rode off cheerful from that house to the hunting ground.
He hunted until nightfall, then swiftly came down from the mountain and rejoined his band.