Page 48 - April 2021 Voices
P. 48
GLEANINGS FROM THE GROVE
bin-Suleiman-that of beloved friend, son of joyful in sharing it with him. By the morning,
Solomon. Treasure that name, learn to be a true he was feverish as he lay in the sweat-soaked
beloved friend, and prepare your heart to be blanket and the churning of his stomach. He
the next guardian and teacher of this object so stayed home for one day which became two,
coveted and desired through the ages by kings, then three extending to four. Not once did Tame
emirs, and thieves. call upon him, and he worried even more. On
The next words brought him out of his the fifth day, his mother gently roused him and
euphoric bliss as he was warned to beware those informed him that an enforcer of the magistrate
who were false. And his friend Tame, his friend wanted to speak with him at once. He quickly
from early youth, “has the look of one who will dressed and presented himself to the very stern
only do wrong in his life, and will allow,” like and gruff representative in the day room.
his name Tame meant, Greedy, “his covetous Was he Dawud bin-Suleiman? Did he know
nature and lust for riches to bring great wrong a certain shopkeeper in the bazaar? What was
upon himself and the world.” He was sworn to his relation to a youth named Tame? And on
promise never to reveal to anyone the location and on went the questions for an hour.
of the box and its precious contents. Finally, after
Ah poor Dawud. His heart ached as he the man was through, he handed
proceeded to honor his vow of silence, especially him a document written in a
from his oldest and beloved friend. “What kind bold hand, giving him the
of friend am I to deny Tame this secret,” he right to own the trinkets
thought and heartfully pondered for days. He and baubles emporium
finally succumbed to his guilt of denial. Dawud in the bazaar. Dawud then
spilled and gushed out the story to Tame, each began to question him-where
specific detail except the dire warning from was my friend Al-Hadi? Dead
Al-Hadi that was to remain his secret. was the reply, killed in a shop
He told of the panel, the glittering box and break-in two days ago
the treasure of treasures contained therein. Tame Why were they asking him
drank in each detail, enquiring about location, about Tame? Tame was found in possession of
size, gold and jewels and his look became darker a box stolen from the store. Why was he given
and serious with the responses returned. Soon this document? It was found upon the storeroom
Dawud decerned that something was not right table with the note to deliver it to Dawud. What is
with his brother, and he quietly closed the going to happen to Tame? Our law requires one
conversation. That evening, he couldn’t sleep who has committed murder and thievery to pay
as he agonized about betraying the secret, the the same price—an eye for an eye, etc. Dawud
consequences to his decision to be so glib and stood there stunned. The enforcer recommended
48 ONE COMMUNITY
