Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

AND THE WOODCUTTER. .173

each hungry applicant, reserving for themselves
one good substantial meal, to be eaten only
when the poor were all served and satisfied.
It happened at the very moment they were
seated to enjoy this their last meal, as they
believed, a voice was heard, ' O friend! I have
heard of your feast,—I am late, yet may it be,
that you have a little to spare, for I am hungry to
my very heart. The blessing of God be on
him who relieves my present sufferings from
hunger!' The Woodcutter and his wife agreed
that it would be much better for them to go
to heaven with half-a-bellyful, than leave one
fellow-creature on earth famishing for a meal;
they, therefore, determined on sharing their
own portion with him who had none, and he
went away from them rejoicing. ' Now,' said
the happy pair, 'we shall eat our half-share
with unmixed delight, and with thankful hearts,
By to-morrow eve we shall be transferred to
paradise.'

•; " They had scarcely raised the savoury food
to their opening mouths, when a voice of me-
lancholy bewailing arrested their attention, and