Donkey Fortune
Just outside Morocco, there was a small hamlet. In that hamlet, a round well provided water for the villagers.
A Love Blossoms
One day, a handsome youth named Mansoor sat by the mouth of the well, watching people draw water. As an orphan, he had only one relative, an uncle who lived in Morocco. A sweet-looking maiden approached the well to fill her jugs, and Mansoor fell in love with her at first sight. He followed her home and learned that her name was Salima, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Courageously, Mansoor went to Salima’s father to ask for her hand in marriage.
The Price of Love
Salima’s father responded, “Many young men wish to marry my daughter. You are one of them. But whoever wishes to wed her must provide me with five thousand tolas worth of silver.” Mansoor was heartbroken; he could gather only fifty tolas from his modest possessions. As he pondered his predicament, he thought of his uncle and decided to borrow the necessary silver from him.
A Desperate Visit
Upon arriving in Morocco, Mansoor struggled to locate his uncle’s dilapidated house. An old, weather-beaten donkey stood in front of the home, and his uncle seemed less than enthusiastic about welcoming Mansoor. After washing his hands, Mansoor sat down for lunch, but his uncle offered only a piece of dried bread, lamenting, “Son, I am very poor. I can only give you this. I have no money even for food.”
Unexpected Help
After a moment of hesitation, Mansoor explained his situation. His uncle cackled and replied, “I have no silver or money to give you. All I have is that donkey. I might sell it and give you some cash.” Agreeing to the plan, Mansoor joined his uncle the next day to sell the donkey at the fair. However, the highest offer was only twenty rupees. Eventually, Mansoor decided to buy the donkey himself and invited his uncle to stay with him for a while.
The Tragic Ambush
Days later, while returning to Morocco with the money from selling the donkey to Mansoor, his uncle fell victim to bandits who ambushed him, taking his life and the money. Upon hearing the tragic news, Mansoor hurried to the forest to recover his uncle’s body and buried him with respect. Searching the old man’s house for valuables, he found nothing noteworthy in the impoverished hovel.
Fortune Unearthed
Curiously, Mansoor’s donkey wandered to a corner of the house and began to paw at the earth. Intrigued, Mansoor dug up the area and discovered a hoard of gold and silver coins neatly arranged in jars. He estimated the total value to be several lakhs of rupees. Excited, he loaded the precious treasure onto his donkey and set off to visit Salima’s father.
A Happy Conclusion
Seeing the wealth, Salima’s father eagerly agreed to the marriage. Eventually, Mansoor and Salima were happily wed. From that day onward, the donkey that brought Mansoor his fortune became a cherished member of their household, soon growing sleek and fat.