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Scene 3

(An elderly man from a nearby farm comes out for a stroll and sees Abdulla.)

Old Man : Where is Abdulla going with so many sheaves? Why, he

seems to be going into Ahmed’s barn! What is going on? I

must find out what is happening.
(Later that night, the old man sees Ahmed taking the sheaves to his brother

Abdulla’s barn.)

Old Man : Oh, each goes secretly to his brother’s house-not to take,
but to give! The Caliph will be happy to hear this. But before

I tell the Caliph, I must make the brothers meet at night.

Scene 4

(The next morning, the old man goes to Abdulla’s house.)
Old Man : What are you doing. Abdulla? Why are you looking at your

store? Has anyone stolen your grain?

Abdulla : No, good friend, no one has stolen my grain. But there is

a mystery here. I take a few sheaves to my brother’s barn
every night. But the next morning, the number of sheaves

remains the same in my barn.

Old Man : Wait, let’s try to solve this mystery. Go to your brother’s
barn tomorrow, just before the sun rises. Things will become

clearer then.

(The neighbour goes to Ahmed's house.)

Old Man : What news, Ahmed? Barn well stocked? Why are you staring
at your store? Have any sheaves disappeared in the night?

Ahmed : My sheaves have not disappeared, good friend! Instead,

they have come back! Each night, I add some sheaves to
my dear brother’s store. And yet each morning, the number

stays the same.

a stroll — a slow and quiet walk

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