Malayan literature; comprising romantic tales, epic poetry and royal ...

MAKOTA RADJA-RADJA 173
ministers and grandees were in the presence of the Sultan
Mahmoud, and Ayaz was standing respectfully before him.
Someone brought a cucumber as a present to the Sultan. The
Sultan sliced it and ate a morsel. He found it very bitter, but
gave no sign of this. He handed a piece of it to Ayaz, saying,
" Eat some of this cucumber and tell me how it tastes, so that
the others present may eat some of it also, and tell us if they
ever ate anything Hke it." Ayaz saluted, and ate of the cucumber
with an appearance of pleasure.
*'
It is very good."
The King made the others eat of it. They found that it
was bitter, and were angry with Ayaz, and asked how he dare
to lie in such a manner.
" It is true," said the Sultan ;
good?"
" how could you say
it was
"
Ayaz answered with : respect May the Lord bless the
king of the world! How many favors have you given me!
How many sweet and savory dainties ! How, then, could I
make a wry face over one bitter morsel ? I ought, on the contrary,
to declare that the bitterness of this mouthful is completely
annulled by the delicious sweetness of the others, so
that your Majesty shall continue to bestow dainties upon me
as before."
A certain king, vain of his royal power, had a servant who
was very pious and a true believer, very punctilious in the
practice of his religious duties. The King distinguished him
above all the others as one in whom he could trust on account
of the integrity of his heart. He had given him this order:
" Go not far away from here, day or night. Keep close watch,
and neglect not my service." The servant, after finishing his
religious duties, took his post, where the King from time to
time sent for him. But the King had need of him, and he was
not to be found. They sent to look for him, but in vain, and
the King grew very angry with him. Finally
the servant ar-
rived and prostrated himself before the King. The latter, full
of wrath, demanded :
" Why are you late ? Why don't you pay attention to my
orders ? " And he commanded that the man be punished, to
make him more attentive to the King's service.
But the servant replied,
**
If I am late, it is only on ac-