GOOD GIFTS AND A FOOL’S FOLLY

spendthrift to seat himself with his basket at the other
end ; then—

‘Are you ready?” said the old man.

“Yes,” said the young man, “I am.”

“Then, by the horn of Jacob,” said the old man, “I
command thee, O Carpet! to bear us over hill and valley,
over lake and river, to that spot whither I wish to go.”
Hardly had the words left his mouth when away flew

 

the carpet, swifter than the swiftest wind, carrying the
old man and the young spendthrift, until at last it
brought them to a rocky desert without leaf or blade of
grass to be seen far or near. Then it descended to
where there was a circle of sand as smooth as a floor.
The old man rolled up the carpet, and then drew from
a pouch that hung at his side a box, and from the box
some sticks of sandal and spice woods, with which he
built a little fire. Next he drew from the same pouch a
TOL