by Ruskin Bond
El Kedir looked up. "Who are you?" he asked.
The man bowed. "I am your servant," said he. "Come with me and I will give you all you ask for."
El Kedir rose to his feet and followed the man, who walked round the shoulder of a bare hill and entered a cave. With wonder and joy El Kedir saw a table spread in the cave. It was loaded with dainties. "I have been waiting for you," the man said.
Servants brought water and washed El Kedir's feet and hands. Then they gave him wine to drink. Feeling refreshed, the weary merchant began to eat, and he ate until he was satisfied. Afterwards he lay down to rest on a soft couch, and soon he fell asleep.
In the morning, when El Kedir awoke, he gazed round about in surprise, for he found himself alone in the midst of the desert. The cave had vanished; even the hill had vanished. "I have been dreaming," he said. "Would I had water to drink and food to eat!"
He rose up and looked around, and, to his surprise, saw on a flat stone a jar of water and a bunch of figs. He drank the water and ate of the fruit until he was satisfied. Then he realised that he could obtain anything he desired simply by wishing, because he possessed the wonderful jewel that grants all desires.
He held the jewel in his right hand and said: "I want a camel to ride on and servants to attend upon me."
In a minute a man came towards him, leading a camel. This man bowed to El Kedir and said: "I am your servant. How many attendants do you wish to have with you on your journey?"
Said El Kedir: "As many as you think I require for protection against robbers and wild beasts."
The man clapped his hands thrice, and three armed men mounted on camels came in sight.
"Whither would you go?" the man asked next.
Said El Kedir: "It is my desire to visit the land in which I shall find the Well of Life."
"I shall lead you thither," the man said, "but you must go through the dark underground passage alone."
Said El Kedir: "Very well. So be it."
The camel knelt on the sand and El Kedir mounted it. Then, following his guide, he set out on his journey towards the land of his desire.
For seven days El Kedir and his attendants travelled westward. Each evening they found a camp prepared for them, and in it plentiful supplies of water and food.
On the evening of the seventh day they reached a camp below a ridge of high mountains, and, when darkness came on, El Kedir heard lions roaring as they came forth to seek for their prey. He seized the jewel and said: "May the lions cease to roar! May every wild beast leave this place until I go away!"
There was silence after that. El Kedir knew that his wish had been granted, and he lay down to sleep.
Next morning, as he sat in his tent eating figs, El Kedir spoke to his guide, saying: "How shall we cross the mountains?"
"Call for the birds, and they will come hither," said the guide.
El Kedir seized the jewel and called for the birds.
No sooner had he done so than he heard a loud noise like the noise of a tempest. He looked up and saw great birds flying towards the camp. They had wings like the sails of an ocean ship, and bodies big as camels.
"We shall ride on their backs," said the guide. "They will carry us across the mountains."
The birds alighted on the sand and crouched low to allow El Kedir and his servants to mount them. Although of great bulk, the birds were very beautiful. Their bodies were of bright gold, and their wings were coloured like the rainbow.
As soon as El Kedir and his attendants were mounted on their backs, the great birds rose high in the air and began their flight. El Kedir looked down and he saw, as if from the top of a high hill, the great desert he had crossed and the rocky steeps and great chasms he was being carried over. The wild beasts that prowled among the mountains looked up as the birds flew towards the west. Beyond the mountains there was a broad river, and El Kedir knew it was the River of Crocodiles. It ran through a green and fruitful valley, and beyond it there was a deep forest of mighty trees.
When the mountains were crossed the birds alighted on the left bank of the river, and El Kedir and his companions leapt down from their backs. Then they flew away.
El Kedir gazed at the river and saw many crocodiles. "Would that these reptiles would move away!" he said. When he had spoken thus, hundreds of crocodiles took flight as if pursued by an enemy. Then El Kedir said, "I have need of a boat."
He had no sooner spoken than a ferryman appeared, rowing a boat from the opposite bank. As soon as he came near enough, El Kedir and his attendants stepped into the boat and sat down. The ferryman spoke not a word to them. He conveyed them over the river, and when they stepped ashore he returned to the middle of the river, where his boat sank and disappeared. El Kedir then knew that the ferryman was a spirit being.
After resting and partaking of food, El Kedir and his attendants walked towards the forest. It was pleasant to enter its shadowy depths for the sun was hot and there was not a cloud in the sky. The music of birds and the humming of insects made sweet music in their ears. Flowers of every hue adorned the beautiful forest, and the air was full of their sweet odours.
They walked on until they came to an open space in which there was a gleaming pool. Brightly coloured fish swam to and fro in the clear water. The sight of the pool filled El Kedir's heart with joy, and he said: "Here could I dwell for the rest of my days and feel content."
When he had spoken thus, his chief attendant bowed before him and said: "Master, we can go no farther. Permit us to bid you farewell."
Said El Kedir: "If you must go, then I must say 'farewell', but fain would I reward you first."
No sooner did he say 'farewell', however, than his attendants were changed into fishes. They leapt into the pool and were lost among the others that swam there. El Kedir then knew that his attendants were spirit beings. He began to feel afraid, and turned away from the pool. The sun was setting, and the sky was lit up by the golden rays of evening. Birds ceased to sing, insects vanished, and a silence deep as death fell on the forest. El Kedir turned towards the west and walked on. Twilight came on and darkness followed swiftly. Then the Wanderer feared he would be lost. "Alas!" he cried, "I fear to pass the night alone in the forest. Would I could find a dwelling in which to lie down and rest in safety!"
He had no sooner spoken than he saw a light twinkling among the trees. Wondering greatly, he walked towards it, and soon found that it shone from the open door of a house. He entered the house, and saw a little old man sitting on the floor. On a low table beside him were baskets of ripe fruit and two stoups of wine.
El Kedir bowed to the little old man, and said: "I am a traveller, and desire food and a bed."
The old man greeted him pleasantly, saying: "You are welcome. Come and sit with me. I am just about to partake of supper."
As he spoke he clapped his hands, and two dark-skinned servants came out of the shadows. They bowed to El Kedir, and brought him water to wash himself. When he had washed, they clad him in raiment of green silk, and put a red turban on his head.
El Kedir felt happy and comfortable, and sat down to partake of supper. The little old man asked him whence he came and whither he was going, and he told him that he came from Mecca and was searching for the Well of Life.
Said the old man: "Have you got the jewel that the stranger gave you?"
El Kedir answered "Yes", and showed the jewel in the palm of his right hand.
"It is well," the old man said, "On the morrow you will follow the path which leads from my house towards the cave. Holding the jewel in your hand, you will enter the dark passage, which swarms with venomous reptiles. Then you will throw the jewel before you, and walk towards the place where it falls. As soon as you reach it, you will pick it up and throw it before you again. Thus, throwing the jewel before you, I promise that you will go through the dark passage in safety. When you reach the Well of Life, you can drink of its water if you so desire, but before you drink, turn the jewel round three times, and bid the guardian
of the well to appear before you. When you return through the dark passage, throwing the jewel before you, come to this house and I will give you further instructions."
Near morning El Kedir bade farewell to his host, and walked towards the cave. He peered into it, and as he did so he heard strange noises, like the rushing of winds, and the beating of wings, and the rustling made by reptiles as they creep to and fro. A cold shiver went through his body, and he feared to enter the cave.
He sat down on the ground for a time, wondering whether he should go on or turn back. The wood was very silent, but soon the silence was broken by the sound of breaking twigs. He looked towards the place whence the sound came, and was horrified to behold a great black serpent creeping towards him. "Alas!" he cried. "Who art thou?"
The serpent reared its shaggy head, and answered him, saying: "I am the messenger of Death."
"Come not near me," El Kedir said, taking the jewel from his pouch and grasping it firmly in his right hand.
The black snake coiled itself and answered him, saying: "I cannot follow you, but I can prevent you from returning, O man of timid heart!"
El Kedir was greatly terrified, and ran into the cave. As he did so, he flung the jewel in front of him. When he did this, the cave was lit up, and the reptiles that lay in his path fled and hid themselves, for the bright rays of Adam's jewel had blinded them and made them afraid. El Kedir walked on, and when he reached the jewel he picked it up and flung it in front of him again. He then saw that the passage was long and narrow. Indeed, it was not wide enough for more than one at a time to walk through it. El Kedir went on and on, flinging the jewel before him. Now and again blasts of wind blew through the passage, and made him stumble as he pressed forward, and when the wind fell a deep and dreadful silence followed, and in the silence he heard the noise of the creeping reptiles far behind him and far in front of him. On and on he went, fearing to rest and feeling faint and hungry, and at length he said: "Would I had water to drink and fruit to eat!"
He had no sooner spoken than he heard the noise of falling water. The sound was pleasant to his ears, and when he reached the jewel he found that it had fallen in front of an inner cave in which there was a waterfall and a deep pool. He stooped down and drank of the water, and then bathed his hands and his feet and washed his face. Feeling refreshed, he rose up and gazed round the cave. In a small recess he saw a silver table piled up with ripe fruit and rich golden-coloured cakes. He went towards it and ate until he was satisfied. Then, feeling strong and active again, he picked up the jewel and went on his way, flinging it in front of him along the dark passage.
On and on he went, until at length he reached the end of the passage, which led into a beautiful garden. El Kedir gazed on the garden with eyes of wonder. Never before had he seen such bright flowers and such stately trees. He marvelled greatly, but he marvelled still more when he found that the blossoms and flowers on the trees were jewels of priceless value, and that the trunks and branches of the trees were of silver and gold.
In the midst of the garden was a green pool, which twinkled in the rays of the sun.
El Kedir feasted his eyes on the beauties of the garden. Then, after a time, he remembered what the little old man had told him. Accordingly he turned the jewel round three times and said: "May the guardian of the Well of Life appear before me!"
When the words were spoke, a beautiful woman, clad in garments that shone like silver, appeared before him. "Alas!" she said. "Why have you come hither?"
Said El Kedir: "It is my desire to find the Well of Life."
The woman pointed towards the green pool in the middle of the garden, and said: "That is the Well of Life."
El Kedir uttered a cry of joy; but the fair lady said to him: "Beware of the pool! If you drink of the water you will never again enjoy the companionship of mankind. You will become a stranger without a home and without a friend."
Said El Kedir: "If I drink of the water I will cease to fear death."
"Yes, you will cease to fear death," the lady answered with a sigh, "but you will begin to dread life."
El Kedir laughed. "I have come a long journey. I have gone through many perils," said he, "and now that I have found the Well of Life, you ask me not to drink. I have given away all I possess for the jewel named Light in Darkness, so that I might come hither, and yet you ask me not to drink of the magic water. If I turn back now without drinking of the water, the black serpent will attack me and I will die; and if I escape the serpent and return to Mecca, all men will mock me and spurn me because I have parted with my possessions for a useless jewel. No, no; I will not take your advice. I must drink of the water of the Well of Life."
The lady guardian of the well made no answer, but faded from his sight in a ray of dazzling sunshine.
El Kedir was weary, and went towards the shining pool. Stooping down, he lifted water in the palm of his right hand and sipped it. When he did so his weariness left him and he felt refreshed. The water was cool and sweet and inviting, and casting off his garments El Kedir plunged into it. He bathed his whole body and drank many great draughts of the water. It seemed to him then that he had become young again. His limbs were full of vigour and strength, and when he left the pool he began to dance with joy.
As he danced, the ripples passed off the surface of the pool and it became quite clear again. El Kedir looked into the water and then he discovered that all his body had turned green. He gazed upon his arms and legs with astonishment, and exclaimed: "Alas! what has happened to me? I am now a green man." That is how he came to be called El Kedir, which means "the Green One".
A sadness fell upon his heart, and he wondered what the people of Mecca would say when they beheld him again.
"I shall return home without delay," he said to himself.
He entered the dark passage again, throwing the jewel in front of him as he went, and when he had passed through, and returned to the forest, he hastened towards the house of the little old man.
The old man was sitting at the door of his house waiting for him.
"You have tasted the water of the Well of Life," said the old man.
"Yes," El Kedir answered, "but my skin has turned green."
"You have paid the penalty," said the old man. "I advise you not to return again to Mecca, but to dwell here."
Said El Kedir: "I came hither to drink of the magic water so that I might be able to enjoy life. I must therefore return to Mecca."
"You will not be welcomed by your fellows."
"You jest."
"Besides, you cannot return again without my help."
"What mean you?"
"The birds that flew over the mountains will not carry you back to the desert unless you give me Adam"s jewel."
"Alas!" El Kedir said, "The jewel is all I possess. I gave the stranger my entire possessions for it."
"But you have had your reward. You have drunk of the water of the Well of Life."
"Must I then return to Mecca as poor as a beggar?"
"Yes, my friend. That is why I have advised you to remain here."
El Kedir was silent for a time. Then he said: "No, I cannot stay with you. I long for my old friends. I would rather return to Mecca as a beggar than remain here for ever. I have become young again; I can set to work and make another fortune and enjoy life. Take the jewel and help me to return home."
"As you will," said the little old man, who took the jewel from El Kedir and placed it in his breast. "Now, lie down and sleep."
Said El Kedir: "Will you not offer me fruit to eat and water to drink?"
"You have no need of food or water," the old man said, "because you have drunk of the magic water."
El Kedir laughed. "Will I never need to eat and drink again?"
"No, never," the little old man said.
Said El Kedir: "Then I shall soon become a rich man again."
He lay down to sleep. When he awoke he found himself lying on the desert sand, because while yet he slept he had been carr
ied back by spirit beings to his native land. He stood up and gazed about him.
The desert was wrapped in darkness, and out of the darkness a voice spoke to him, saying: "You have slept your last sleep. You will never sleep again, and yet you will not feel weary."
El Kedir clapped his hands with joy. "I shall no longer have to eat, or drink, or sleep," said he. "How fortunate I am! I shall soon become very rich, and all men will envy me."
He saw lights twinkling in the darkness and walked towards them. Soon he reached the wall of a large town. Sentinels stood at the gate, and he spoke to them, saying "What city is this?"
Said a sentinel: "This is the city of Mecca. Who are you, and whence come you?"
El Kedir gave his name, and asked permission to enter through the gate.
Said the sentinel who had already spoken: "The gate will be opened at dawn. Then you may enter."
El Kedir sat down, waiting for the dawn. When the first ray of light appeared in the east the gate was opened, and he rose to enter the city. The sentinels allowed him to go past, but no sooner had he passed them than they uttered cries of horror and fled away to the right and to the left.
El Kedir wondered why the sentinels had behaved in this strange manner, but did not wait to ask. He walked on until he reached the marketplace. There he saw a woman carrying a jar of water on her head. He spoke to her, saying: "You have gone early to the well."
The woman turned round and looked at him. As soon as she did so she uttered a cry of dismay, dropped the jar, which was shattered on the roadway, and fled from before him.
The sun rose and the air grew bright. El Kedir walked through the marketplace and saw several slaves coming towards him carrying bales of silk. He waited till they came near, but as soon as their eyes fell upon him they flung down their bales and ran away, crying: "The green man! The green man!"
Then was El Kedir's heart filled with dismay. "Alas!" he said, "I am feared by everyone. I must hide myself."
He left the marketplace, and, seeing an empty house, crept into it through a broken window. There he remained until the people passed up and down the streets in increasing numbers. He peered out through a slit in the door of the old house, and at length saw many merchants whom he knew and with whom he had done business. He longed to speak to them, and at length he ventured to leave the house. To conceal his face he drew his robe across it, and he blackened his hands and legs with soot. Thus disguised, he left the house and entered the marketplace. Many eyes followed him as he passed along. "Who is that man?" one asked another. "Why does he hide his face?"