They took out the two men [who were confined in the cages], gave them many blows with a great stick, and made them eat the leavings of the dog and drink the same water; they again fastened the doors [of the cages] and returned the keys to their master.  When all this was over, the khwaja began to eat himself.  The young merchant was not pleased at these circumstances, and did not touch the victuals from disgust.  How much soever the khwaja pressed him, yet he flatly refused.  Then the khwaja asked the reason of this, saying, “Why do you not eat?” The young merchant replied, “This conduct of yours appears disgusting to me, for this reason that man is the noblest of God’s creatures, and the dog is decidedly impure.  So to make two of God’s own creatures eat the leavings of a dog, in what religion or creed is it lawful?  Do not you think it sufficient that they are your prisoners? otherwise they and you are equal.  Now, I doubt if you are a Musulman; who knows what you are?  Perhaps you worship the dog; it is disgusting to me to eat your dinner, until this doubt is removed from my mind.”

The khwaja answered, “O, son, I comprehend perfectly all that you say, and am generally censured for these reasons; for the inhabitants of this city have fixed upon me the name of dog-worshipper, and call me so, and have published it [everywhere]; but may the curse of God alight on the impious and the infidel!” The khwaja then repeated the kalima, [278] and set the young merchant’s mind at ease.  Then the young merchant asked, thus, “If you are really a Musalman in your heart, then what is the reason of this?  By so acting, get yourself generally censured?” The khwaja said in reply, “O, son, my name is reprobated, and I pay double taxes in the city, that no one may know this secret [motive of my conduct].  It is a strange circumstance, which, whoever hears, will get nothing by the recital but grief and indignation.  You must likewise pardon me [from relating it]; for I shall not have strength of mind to recount it, nor will you have the composure of mind to listen to it.”  The young merchant thought within himself, “I have only to mind my own business; why should I to no purpose press him further on the subject?” She accordingly replied to the khwaja, “Very well; if it is not proper to be related, do not mention it.”  He then began to partake of the dinner, and having lifted a morsel, began to eat.  The space of about two months [279] the young merchant passed with the khwaja, with such prudence and circumspection, that no one found out by any chance that he was a woman [in disguise].  All thought that this [individual] was a male, and the khwaja’s affection for him increased daily, so that he could not allow him to be a moment absent from his sight.