“I do not doubt it,” replied Saad; “but,” added he, “there are other accidents that neither you nor I can think of; therefore, I say again, moderate your expectations, and do not depend too much on Hassan’s success; for to tell you what I think, and what I always thought (whether you like to hear it or not), I have a secret presentiment that you will not have accomplished your purpose, and that I shall succeed better in proving that a poor man may sooner become rich by other means than money.”

One day, when Saad and Saadi were disputing upon this subject, Saad observed that enough had been said; “I am resolved,” continued he, “to inform myself this very day what has passed; it is a pleasing time for walking, let us not lose it, but go and see which of us has lost the wager.”  I saw them at a distance, was overcome with confusion, and was just going to leave my work, to run and hide myself.  However I refrained, appeared very earnest at work, made as if I had not seen them, and never lifted up my eyes till they were close to me and had saluted me, and then I could not help myself.  I hung down my head, told them my last misfortune, with all the circumstances, and that I was as poor as when they first saw me.

“After that,” I added, “you may say that I ought to have hidden my money in another place than in a pot of bran, which was carried out of my house the same day:  but that pot had stood there many years, and had never been removed, whenever my wife parted with the bran.  Could I guess that a sandman should come by that very day, my wife have no money, and would make such an exchange?  You may indeed allege, that I ought to have told my wife of it; but I will never believe that such prudent persons, as I am persuaded you are, would have given me that advice; and if I had put my money anywhere else, what certainty could I have had that it would be more secure?”

“I see, sir,” said I, addressing myself to Saadi, “that it has pleased God, whose ways are secret and impenetrable, that I should not be enriched by your liberality, but that I must remain poor:  however, the obligation is the same as if it had wrought the desired effect.”

After these words I was silent; and Saadi replied, “Though I would persuade myself, Hassan, that all you tell us is true, and not owing to your debauchery or ill management, yet I must not be extravagant, and ruin myself for the sake of an experiment.  I do not regret in the least the four hundred pieces of gold I gave you to raise you in the world.  I did it in duty to God, without expecting any recompense but the pleasure of doing good.  If any thing makes me repent, it is, that I did not address myself to another, who might have made a better use of my charity.”  Then turning about to his friend, “Saad,” continued he, “you may know by what I have said that I do not entirely give up the cause.  You may now make your experiment, and let me see that there are ways, besides giving money, to make a poor man’s fortune.  Let Hassan be the man.  I dare say, whatever you may give him he will not be richer than he was with four hundred pieces of gold.”  Saad had a piece of lead in his hand, which he shewed Saadi.  “You saw me,” said he, “take up this piece of lead, which I found on the ground; I will give it Hassan, and you shall see what it is worth.”