Tale 10: The Poet and the Chief of Thieves

A poet once went to the chief of a band of thieves and recited a poem in his praise. The chief ordered them to strip off his clothes and drive him out of the village. The poor man walked naked through the cold, and the dogs came chasing after him. He tried to pick up a stone to fend them off, but it was frozen into the ground, and he could not. So he said: 'What kind of scoundrels are these people, who set the dogs loose and tie down the stones!' The chief saw and heard this from his upper window and laughed. He said: 'Wise man, ask something of me.' The poet replied: 'I ask only for my own clothes, if you would grant me that favor.' We are content with your bounty: just let us go. A person hopes for kindness from others; I expect no kindness from you, so at least do me no harm. The chief of thieves felt pity for him. He gave back his clothes, added a fur-lined coat as well, and a few coins on top of it.