Hesham the Crocodile said:
"No. Not soon, for there is still a long, long time between me and the end of the period I must spend in this state you see me in…"
"But however long it lasts, it will come to an end. Your dawn after the night is surely coming, like a shining hope that draws nearer day by day, moment by moment. And this alone should nurture optimism as days pass and time runs its course…"
"What I fear most is that I may not live long enough to see myself a man once more, as I once was. That is why I have come to you, eager for time to hasten its passing, for deliverance to come swiftly…"
"And am I able to grant you that?"
"My strongest belief is that you can help me. I have heard of your sound judgment and your great cunning…"
"It pleases me to offer my services to the servant of the river, in whom we have always found goodness and generosity toward all. What is your need?"
"The chief of the crocodiles has lessened the sentence, making it dependent on the completion of a task rather than the mere passage of time. If I can complete this task, it shall be the document of my release, the key to my freedom, and my return as a man as I once was."
"This is wonderful news indeed. And what is this task?"
"To craft a crown from diamonds scattered plentifully upon the riverbed."The monkey thought to himself: Ah, if only I had the ability to dive…
Hesham continued, "I thought at first the matter was simple, but the chief of the crocodiles required that the diamonds be polished."
"Polished?"
"Yes—and here lies the knot of it. Polishing requires the most skilled of jewelers, and there is no way to reach them. And if there were a way, I could not communicate with them unless I were a man again—and I will not be a man until I present a crown set with polished diamonds. So here, my friend, we begin to think only where we end, and end only to begin again, and dizziness seizes us in this endless circle…"
"Ah! I see—I see now. I understand completely. It is indeed a grave dilemma, my friend. But I will not abandon you in these trying circumstances when you need me most. I shall help you escape this impasse, that you may attain your desire and fulfill your goal."
"Are you truly able to help me prepare the crown?"
"Of course. For every knot, I have a key. Yet our task requires great effort, steady patience, and may cost us dearly…"
"What would it cost us?"
"I would undertake this task for you only for a wage. It is a burdensome duty, and I would not do it for anyone else…"
"Perhaps I can offer a fitting wage. What shall it be, and how much?"
"The wage shall be diamonds in their raw state. As for how much, I cannot answer now, for the work is difficult and will take long. Better that we divide the task into stages, agreeing upon a wage for each stage."
"Excellent—I agree. But what will you do with the raw diamonds?"
"Ah, raw diamonds! I love them… love them greatly. Do you not also love diamonds? Are they not the greatest of gems?"
"I used to love them when I was a man. I saw in them a precious treasure and wished to possess even a single piece. But now, in this form, I see nothing in them at all, no desire to keep them. To me they are no better than the pebbles covering the riverbed and shores. To return as I once was—a man—that is the dearest treasure my soul yearns for now."
"My dear friend, you will not sense their value until you become human again. Then you will feel the worth of things as they truly are."
"Indeed, man by his nature perceives the value of jewels more keenly. But you—you are not a man, and yet you love them so deeply."
"Me? Not a man?… That is a long story, my friend. Yes… I feel as though I am a man, but all those I have met say otherwise. But let us leave that aside—leave my story, for it is long. Let us look instead to the task before us. I shall now prepare a broad place atop this tree, where I may work in peace, examine the diamonds, select the suitable ones, and begin polishing them."
"With what will you polish the diamonds? And how?"
"These are complex matters, my friend, long to explain. I would rather spare you such concerns. Do not think of them. Leave the matter to me. Double your effort instead in gathering raw diamonds, and lay them at the foot of the tree for me. I shall carry them up to the new workshop I am preparing among the branches, where I will sort and craft them."
"And the wage?"
"Ah—the wage. This is the building stage, without which the work cannot begin. Its wage is small…"
"How much?"
"A hundred pieces the size of lemons…"
"A small wage indeed."
"That is the price of the branches needed for the workshop. Another hundred for raising them up the tree…"
"Agreed."
"And a third hundred to bind the branches and build the workshop."
"I shall go at once to fetch what you asked, while you set about preparing the workshop to save time."
"My friend, I must confess: I have had much experience in dealings, and they have taught me valuable lessons. I never begin work until I receive payment first. Bring me the first hundred pieces, and I shall fetch the branches. Bring the second, and I shall raise them. Bring the third, and I shall build the workshop and prepare it. Thereafter we shall always deal in this manner. Its clarity will ensure no quarrel arises between us in the future."
Hesham listened, astonished at the monkey's manner of dealing. But what difference did it make whether he was paid first or last, so long as he received it in either case? The diamonds lay plentiful in the riverbed. So Hesham nodded assent and went to gather the first hundred.
He began with those nearest at hand, unable to carry more than two in his mouth at a time, moving tirelessly between the riverbed and the tree, driven by the power of hope that had begun to shine within him. The monkey took the pieces Hesham brought, turning them over in his fingers, overjoyed and delighted, then carried them up and hid them in the tree's forks. When Hesham had carried the first hundred, he paused to rest and said:
"Here—the first hundred are complete."
"A hundred? They are not yet a hundred. Six are missing."
"I am certain they are a hundred. I dove to the riverbed fifty times, bringing you two each trip."
"My friend, when dealing with me, you must always trust my word. I do not lie."
So Hesham returned three more times, each time bringing two pieces. Then the monkey said:
"Now the count is complete."
Hesham rested, while the monkey busied himself eagerly, gathering many branches. Then he said:
"Now to the second stage. Bring me the second hundred, and hasten your efforts that we may finish the crown."
Seeing the monkey so zealous and industrious, Hesham's hope grew. He said:
"You count along with me."
So he hurried swiftly between the riverbed and the monkey, who urged him on, until they had counted a hundred. Then the monkey said:
"Bring me eight more stones, so the number may be complete."
"But the count is already complete…"
"I know. Yet eight are unfit. And you are kindhearted—so bring me others in their place."
Hesham fetched the eight, and the monkey, pleased at adding more raw diamonds to his share, began at once to lift the branches up the tree. He worked with tireless zeal, as though he were just beginning, joy brightening his face.
Hesham then gathered the third hundred, as was the custom with a few extra stones, while he watched the monkey build a grand house high in the tree, fitted with utmost precision. Days passed as he completed it, while Hesham watched anxiously, eager for his deliverance.
In time, the monkey carried great loads of raw diamonds up to his house in the tree, the branches groaning under their weight. All had been brought by Hesham, who wore himself out with a labor no one else could endure. By now Hesham had paid the monkey's price many times over with relentless toil, and remained waiting beneath the tree for the monkey's promise. Long was his waiting, calling up daily for news of the crown, while the monkey excused himself with one answer or another—sometimes replying, sometimes falling silent. Hesham's impatience only grew, for the crown meant his freedom.
At last, the monkey emerged from his lofty house, holding in his hands the crown he had made—perfect in precision, splendid in beauty, dazzling in craftsmanship. He called to the crocodile, servant of the river. Hesham lifted his gaze, and was struck with awe at the sight of the crown's radiant splendor. Overcome with joy, he cried out:
"A marvel of wonders! How deeply I thank you for your fine work! Truly this great labor is worthy of immense patience. The mere sight of it makes me forget the harsh days of waiting, when every moment was filled with restless longing!"
The monkey turned the crown in his hands, admiring it, and said to the Servant of the River:"Do you like it?"
"Who would not admire this marvelous work? I don't think anyone could accomplish such a thing. Will Chief of the Crocodiles crown himself with this crown?"
"Yes, and then it will be splendid indeed, and this will raise his status among all the creatures of the sea…"
"And you—what will you become after that?"
"I shall return to what I once was, a man—and in this lies my salvation, the comfort of my soul, and its desire…"
"And I—what do you think I shall be after that?"
"You—my heart holds for you great appreciation for the effort you made, which will help me to be freed."
"That is not what I mean."
"What do you mean? I don't understand…"
"The Chief of the Crocodiles has done nothing to deserve to be crowned with this magnificent crown. It is not just that my great effort, which no one else could have achieved, should go for the benefit of an idle master…"
"But he changed the sentence and lessened it."
"That is true. But the ruling and its execution do not concern me in the least."
"But it concerns me—it is my freedom…"
"That is true. But what concern is it of mine if the Chief of the Crocodiles enjoys the fruit of my labor—labor that only I could do?"
"He will not benefit from your effort—I am the one who will benefit."
"But the final fruit—the crown I made—will go on the head of the Chief of the Crocodiles."
"There is no harm in that. It is a matter of buying and selling. The Chief of the Crocodiles sold me my freedom in exchange for a crown, and you sold me the crown for the rough diamonds that weigh down this tree…"
"The crown made by my own hands I will not put on the head of an idle chief, so he becomes a king without deserving kingship."
"What do you mean? Won't you give me the crown?"
"The crown? Give it to you?"
"Yes… is it not my right?"
"It seems you forgot the agreement."
"No, I did not forget. But I paid the price you asked—many times over."
"You have not yet paid for its use. And I must remind you—we agreed the price would be in stages."
"Yes, but all the stages are done, and I paid them."
"My friend, you are inexperienced in dealings—that is why you do not grasp what I say. The matter is very simple—yet you fail to understand. Didn't I tell you you are slow to grasp, even in what is simple?"
"How so?"
"The price is paid in stages. And this is the stage of using the crown—and we did not agree on its price."
"No! We only agreed on its making. You knew from the start I would give it to the Chief of the Crocodiles in exchange for my freedom. There was no price for using it in our agreement."
"My friend, didn't I tell you you lack experience? You are new to trade. I have strained myself to make you understand—but you do not. I do not wish to tire myself more…"
"And keeping to the agreement?"
"Do you mean I do not keep to agreements? Your words only complicate the matter…"
"You asked a price for your labor, and I paid you the wages and more. Give me the crown—it is my right. You knew from the beginning what I would do with it."
"My knowing you would give it to the Chief of the Crocodiles is one thing. The use of the crown is another."
"You mean you will demand a new price for its use?"
"That is my affair—to consider."
"You mean to keep the crown until you decide a price for its use—which was never in our agreement?"
"My friend, this talk wearies me. We agreed on making the crown for a price. You paid the price—I made the crown. Here the deal ends. As for handing you the crown to give to the Chief—that is a different matter. We never agreed on that. And I repeat so you do not forget: the agreement was only on making it. As for using it—there is another price, which I will think upon…"
"But I have paid the whole price—diamonds that you have taken and put in the tree."
"That is some of the price, not all. It is the price for one stage, not the rest. And what difference whether the diamonds are in the riverbed or in the tree? Where is the price?"
"The difference is my labor—carrying them from the riverbed to you. If you think there is no difference, then throw them all back in the river, and you will know if there is a difference."
"My friend, I will advise you because you do not understand: would I give my enemy a weapon for a price, and then he uses it to kill me? Of course not."
"Ah—now you begin to understand. It is not reasonable for me to give the Chief of the Crocodiles a crown I made with my own hands."
"But the crown is not a weapon…"
"If your talk remains so foolish, I will not answer you again."
"I am not a fool. I demand my clear right. I gave you the price, I want the crown as you took your price."
"If I gave you the crown, and the Chief puts it on his head and becomes king, with all sea creatures obeying him, then I would have strengthened my enemy. Do you understand, fool?"
"And my effort—does it go to waste?"
"No—you have contributed part of the price of the crown."
"And the crown?"
"It stays with me."
"And what do I gain from my toil?"
"That is your affair, not mine. I am not responsible for your lack of experience in trade. I have taught you now the principles—and taken the price for teaching you."
"And the crown?"
"It is mine. I made it. I am the one most worthy to crown myself with it—so creatures of land and sea alike will bow to me."
Then the monkey placed the crown on his head and said to the Servant of the River:"What do you think of the crown on my head? Is it not magnificent?"
"It would be greater if you gave me my right and handed me the crown."
Then the monkey changed his posture, sat on a branch overlooking the river, crossed one leg over the other, stretched his neck, tilted his head with pride, the crown upon it, and said:"What do you think of this pose?"
Hisham, the Servant of the River, despaired of moving him with entreaty. The monkey kept showing off, asking his opinion about his poses, full of arrogance and vanity, only to taunt and provoke. Many days passed in this way, and the crocodile tried every means to soften him, but in vain.
He stayed beneath the tree, full of despair and confusion, while the monkey above swelled with pride.
One day, the monkey woke Hisham, who was sleeping under the tree, and said:"O Servant of the River! O Servant of the River!"
Hisham awoke and looked up, replying:"Yes, my friend."
"I have found a solution."
"Good. What is it?"
"The price for using the crown…"
The Servant of the River revived at these words and said:"This is good news—perhaps I can pay it!"
"Yes—it is simple. I wish to keep my agreement. The price of its use will be very simple."
"What is it?"
"Ten large stones."
"Of rough diamonds?"
"No—ordinary stones scattered on the riverbank."
"That is simple indeed. But what will you do with them?"
"Nothing. They are only the price for your using the crown. I do not want this stage to be free. But I do not want its price so high it hinders you. It is only symbolic—all I require is that the stones be large."
The Servant of the River ran to the riverbank, chose the largest stones, and carried them to the foot of the tree. Each time he went for a stone, the monkey would quickly come down and haul it up into the tree, until he had nine. When Hisham brought the tenth, the monkey said:"Servant of the River, the nine are enough—I need no more."
Then Hisham said:"Now—give me the crown!"
The monkey held the crown in his hands and said:"I will throw it to you. You must catch it in your mouth—and do not break it, for I will not repair it."
The Servant of the River stood under a large branch, opened his mouth wide, overwhelmed with joy that his ordeal was about to end. The monkey stood above, holding the crown.
"I will count to three, then throw it. Catch it on the third."
"I understand," said Hisham, and opened his mouth.
The monkey said: "One… two… three…" But instead of the crown, he dropped a huge stone straight into Hisham's mouth.
The poor crocodile gave a terrible scream from the shock, writhed in pain, staggered away from the tree, then fainted. The monkey roared with laughter, leaping about, for he had intended to kill the Servant of the River and rid himself of his constant pleas.
A long time passed before poor Hisham awoke. He found some of his teeth broken, and his neck twisted so he could not move it. His spirit was crushed, for his heart was pure and kind, knowing nothing of hatred or malice.
He dragged himself slowly toward the river, away from the sycamore tree where the monkey dwelt. Then the little frog came and saw him in his misery, and asked anxiously:"What happened?"
Hisham could not speak, but pointed toward the monkey above.
The frog looked up and saw the monkey watching suspiciously, saw the large stone, Hisham's broken teeth, the blood stains, and the marks of his crawling away.
The little frog said to the monkey:"What happened to the Servant of the River?"
"Poor fellow—I was throwing him the crown, but this stone slipped by accident and struck his mouth."
"Was this stone up there in the tree?"
"Yes."
"And who carried it up?"
"The Servant of the River brought it to me—as part of the price for the crown."
"I cannot understand—you are fond of diamonds, but this stone is of no use to you."
"No—I used it to strengthen the house." The monkey's answer showed hesitation, as if hiding the truth.
"Then give us the crown, so we can free the Servant of the River."
The monkey grew troubled:"The crown? I will keep it until the Servant of the River heals. I will give it to no one else. Besides, the crown is up in the tree—and I am too tired to come down."
The little frog hurried to the river, spreading the news among all frogs:"The monkey has struck our friend with a great stone, smashed his teeth, twisted his neck, spilled his blood!"
The news spread far and wide. Frogs gathered around Hisham to share his sorrow and ease his pain.
They puzzled over what to do—how to help Hisham and deal with the monkey. At last they said:"Only the old frog can advise us."
They called the elder frog, who came and greeted them, and they returned the greeting.
"What is the matter?" he asked.
The little frog answered:"The Servant of the River was ordered to bring a crown of polished diamonds to the Chief of the Crocodiles, to win his freedom and return to manhood. All creatures of the river know his goodness. I came with him to the monkey, who promised to make the crown. The Servant of the River paid him many times over, but instead of giving the crown, the monkey threw a great stone that broke his teeth, twisted his neck, and left him as you see. We know no way to take the crown from the monkey, to restore our friend's freedom."
The old frog marveled:"Do you truly have need of this monkey?"
He turned to the little frog:"My son, you are pure-hearted and naïve. You should have asked about this monkey before dealing with him. He is shunned by all creatures for his malice and harm—he lives alone in that tree, because everyone avoids him. How did you get entangled with him?"
The little frog said: "Need."
"Need? Do you think this monkey fulfills needs? My son, the stars of heaven are nearer to you than a need in this monkey's hand. Do you know his origin?"
"No," said the frogs.
"Then listen. This monkey you see was once a great man, of perfect beauty—so beautiful that no eye tired of gazing at him, no face turned away. All creatures felt their smallness beside him. Birds of the sky, fish of the sea, beasts of the land—all sought to serve him, for they loved his beauty. Even the trees shaded him, flowers and herbs swayed with pride when he passed.
But he did not understand their love. He listened to Satan's whispers, believing they worshipped him. Pride filled him. He no longer returned their affection. The more arrogant he grew, the darker his soul became. His beauty faded day by day. Creatures no longer loved him. He hated them in return.
At last came the great disaster. He and his people, who had received the Torah, disobeyed their Lord. God tested them: He forbade fishing on the Sabbath. Fish came in abundance that day, but not the others. They set traps on Friday, kept fish penned, then took them after Sabbath—thinking to deceive God. They disbelieved in the Torah. So God said: 'Be apes, despised!'
This monkey is one of them.
He cannot bear that the faithful Servant of the River should return a man, while he remains as he is. He cannot bear that the Chief of the Crocodiles be crowned king. He never keeps promises—he lies and betrays. He cannot abandon the evil that made him a monkey. I see no solution but to take the crown from him by force."
Here the frogs began to consult on how to help the Servant of the River by wresting the crown from the monkey, and what should be done with the monkey after his treachery.
Meanwhile, the Faithful One (the prince) discovered the truth of the false minister. The king of the Dushim ordered the minister's head struck off with the sword.
The Faithful One praised God for saving him from the minister's treachery. Then all departed the palace: the king, Princess Tati riding behind him, the Faithful One beside him on the Tutan, and the retinue following. They passed on their way back to the kingdom of the Dushim by the great lake where the Faithful One's sword had been cast away by the 'Urqab.
The Faithful One stopped and said to the king:"The sword you gifted me was thrown into this lake—I shall try to retrieve it."