Chapter 16
Section 16 of Birds and All Nature, Volume 4, Number 1, July 1898. Read for LibriVox.org by Joe Brenneman. Section 16. Azumet the Hermit and His Dumb Friends Azumet the Vizier had been raised by Sultan Mahmud to the highest office in the empire. As soon as he was established in his position, he tried to reform many abuses,
but the nobles and imams plotted against him. Deprived of his property and deserted by his friends, Azamit withdrew to the wilderness of Coruscant, where he lived alone in a hut of his own building and planted a little garden by the side of a brook.
He had lived a hermit's life for two years when Uzbek, one of his old friends, found his dwelling place. The sage met the vizier about a mile from his hut. The two friends recognized each other and embraced, while Uzbek shed tears. Azamet, on the contrary, smiled, and his eyes beamed with joy. Thanks be to God, who gives strength to the unfortunate, said Uzbek.
The man who had a gorgeous palace in the rich plains of Gilim is contended with a hut in the wildest part of Coruscant. Presently, when they drew near Azimut's hut, they heard a young horse neigh, and saw him come galloping to meet them. When he came near Azimut, he caressed him, and ran home before him. Uzbek saw two fine heifers come from a pasture nearby, and run back and forth near Azimut, as if offering him their milk. They began to follow him.
Soon after, two goats, with their kids, ran down from a steep rock, showing, by their gambols, their delight at seeing their master and begin to frolic around him. Then four or five sheep came out of a little orchard, bleeding and bounding, to lick Azamut's hand as he patted them, smiling. At the same moment, a few pigeons and a multitude of other birds, which were chirping on the trees in the orchard, flew upon his head and shoulders. He went into the little yard near his cabin, and a cock saw him and crowed for joy. At this noise several hens ran, cackling, to greet their master.
But the signs of joy and love which all these animals showed were as nothing compared to those of two white dogs that were waiting for Azimut at the door. They did not run to meet him, but seemed to show him that they had been faithful sentinels over the house, which their master had placed in their care. As soon, however, as he entered, they caressed him lovingly, fawning upon him, throwing themselves at his feet, and only leaping up to lick his hands. When he gave them caresses, they seemed beside themselves with delight, and stretched themselves at their master's feet. Uzbek smiled at this sight Well, said the vizier
You see that I am now, as I have been from childhood The friend of all created things I tried to make men happy, but they could not let me I made these animals happy And I take pleasure in their affection and gratitude
You see that even though I am in the wilderness of Coruscant I have companions and love and am beloved listen what a sudden rustle fills the air all the birds are in a bustle everywhere such a ceaseless croon and twitter overhead such a flash of wings that glitter wide outspread End of section 16. This recording is in the public domain.
