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 2) (London, 1832)

TELLING THE KIIAUNIE. 81

neither a companion nor a slave in my whole
establishment; they cannot imagine any thing
so stupid as my preference to a quiet study,
rather than the constant bustle of a well-filled
zeenahnah.

Many of the Mussulmaun ladies entertain
women companions, whose chief business is
to tell stories and fables to their employer,
while she is composing herself to sleep ; many
of their tales partake of the romantic cast which
characterizes the well-remembered " Arabian
Nights' Entertainments," one story begetting
another to the end of the collection. When
the lady is fairly asleep the story is stayed,
and the companion resumes her employment
when the next nap is sought by her mistress.

Amongst the higher classes the males also
indulge in the same practice of being talked to
sleep by their men slaves; and it is a certain
introduction with either sex to the favour of
their employer, when one of these dependants
has acquired the happy art of "telling the
khaunie" (fable), with an agreeable voice and
manner. The more they embellish a tale by