Sayfa 175 / 1116

A certain man and a merchant to boot had married a fair wife, a

woman of perfect beauty and grace, symmetry and loveliness, of

whom he was mad-jealous, and who contrived successfully to keep

him from travel. At last an occasion compelling him to leave her,

he went to the bird market and bought him for one hundred gold

pieces a she parrot which he set in his house to act as duenna,

expecting her to acquaint him on his return with what had passed

during the whole time of his absence; for the bird was kenning

and cunning and never forgot what she had seen and heard. Now his

fair wife had fallen in love with a young Turk, [FN#91] who used

to visit her, and she feasted him by day and lay with him by

night. When the man had made his journey and won his wish he came

home; and, at once causing the Parrot be brought to him,

questioned her concerning the conduct of his consort whilst he

was in foreign parts.