ber of their species, and varieties, and individualities, greatly exceed the beasts, because in all the habitable quarters of the world there are nineteen thousand countries in which a great variety of races dwell. Thus there are China, India, Sind, Hijjáz, Yemen, Abyssinia, Najd, Egypt, Alexandria, Cyrene, Andalusia, Constantinople, 'Azarbaiján, Armenia, Syria, Greece, 'Irák, Badakhshán, Jurján, Jílán, Naishapur, Karmán, Kábul, Multán, Khurásán, Máwaráu-n Nahr, Khwárizm, Farghána, and others, thousands of cities and countries which it is impossible to enumerate. Besides these cities, thousands of men live and make their abodes in forests, mountains, and islands, all differing in language, colour, manners, constitution, creeds, and arts. God Almighty supplies them all with food, and keeps them under his protection. This vastness of number, variety of circumstances, and difference of pursuits and objects, prove that the human race is better than any other species. Besides this, whatever other race of animals exist, they hold superiority over it. From this it is clear that men are the masters, and all the animals are their slaves. There are still further excellences in us, the detail of which would be very tedious."

The Frog said to the King, "This man has adduced the great number of men (as an argument), and boasts about it ; but if he were to see the aquatic animals, and behold their multiform shapes and figures, then in comparison with them men would seem very few. The cities and countries also which he has mentioned would also look still less. Because in the habitable quarter of the world there are fifteen large seas: the Mediterranean, the Caspian, the Lake of Gílán, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Hind, the Sea of Sind, the Sea of China, the Sea of Yájuj, the Indian Ocean, the Western Sea, the Northern Sea, the Sea of Abyssinia, the Southern Sea, and the Eastern Sea. And there are five hundred small rivers, and two hundred large ones, such as

the Oxus, the Tigris, the Euphrates, the Nile, &c., the length of each of which is from a hundred to a thousand kos. And in addition to these there are the small and larger streams and rivers, lakes, pools, &c., which are to be found in the woods and wilds, and which it is impossible to enumerate. In these there are fishes, turtles, crocodiles, porpoises, alligators, and other aquatic animals of thousands of kinds, which no one but God knows of, and no one can estimate.

"Some say that there are seven hundred species of aquatic animals, without reckoning the varieties and specialities; and of animals which dwell on dry land, beasts of prey, cattle, &c., there are five hundred species, without reckoning varieties and specialities. All these are the servants and slaves of God, whom by His power he has created, whom He supports and continually protects from every ill. There is nothing which is hidden from Him. If the men would consider this, and could comprehend the (numbers of the) swarms of animals, then it would be clear that the number and concourse of men afford no proof of their being the masters and we the slaves."

WHEN

CHAPTER XXV.

On the World of Spirits.

HEN the frog ceased from speaking, a sage from among the Jins said, "Oh ye parties of men and beasts, ye are circumscribed in your knowledge of the great variety of creatures. You do not know those beings which are spiritual and ethereal, and have no affinity with corporeal forms. They are incorporeal souls and elementary spirits, which dwell in the regions of the sky. Some of them which belong to the angelic class are placed in the highest zone of the heavens, aud those who dwell in the broad expanse of the cold sphere are the Jins and the tribe of devils.

"So if you could but conceive the full amplitude of created beings, you would know that, as opposed to them, men and beasts have no (appreciable) existence. Because the extent of the cold sphere is ten times greater than the (terrestrial) sea and land; and in the same way the lunar sphere is ten times larger than both these spheres; and each superior sphere bears the same relation in its extent to the one beneath it. All these spheres are filled with spiritual beings-not one span of space is left. All the incorporeal souls dwell there, as the Prophet (may the peace of God and rest be upon him!) has declared: 'In the seven heavens not one span is empty in which the angels are not either standing, bending, or lying prostrate in the worship of God.' Therefore, ye men, if ye could but see their hosts, ye would know that your race, as compared with them, is of no account, and that your num

ber and aggregate afford no proof of your being the masters and all others your slaves. All the servants of God are his soldiers and subjects, but some are subject and subordinate to others. In fine, he has issued the orders for their regulation among them according as he in his supreme wisdom deemed right. Praise and glory are due to him under all circumstances."

When the Jin sage finished his speech, the King turned towards the men and said, "The animals have given an answer to the thing you were boasting about: if you have anything left to say, speak." An orator of Hijjáz then said, "There are yet many excellences in us by which it is proved that we are masters, they slaves." The King directed him to speak, and he said, “God Almighty has promised us many blessings resurrection from the grave; spreading over the whole face of the earth; the reckoning in the day of judgment; the passage over the bridge of Sirát; entrance into paradise; heaven; the garden of delights; the garden of eternity; the garden of Eden; the garden of refuge; the mansion of peace; the mansion of permanence; the home of rest; the glorious abode; the Túba tree; the fountain of Salsabíl; streams running with wine, milk, honey, and water; elevated dwellings; the society of the húrís; nearness to God. These and many other blessings, which are mentioned in the Kurán, God has prepared for us. Can the animals anywhere attain to these things? This is a proof that we are the masters, they our slaves. Besides these blessings and excellences there are many other great qualities in us which I have not mentioned."

The nightingale, the representative of the birds, said, "In the same way as God has made you many excellent promises, so has he passed upon you many denunciations of punishment. Thus, there is the suffering of the grave, the interrogations of the two recording angels, the dread of the day of

judgment, the terrors of the account, the going into hell, the tortures of hell, the hells called Fahim, Sakar, Laza, Sa'ír, Hutma, and Háwiya, wearing the garments of liquid pitch, the drinking of foul matter, eating of the zakkúm tree (the fruit of which is the heads of devils), dwelling near the ruler of hell, liability to tortures in the companionship of devils; these are all prepared for you. And, besides these, there are many more punishments and tortures mentioned in the Kuran, from which we are exempt. God has made us no promise of reward, and so he has made us no threat of punishment. We are satisfied with and are grateful for the commands of God. No benefit or injury accrues to us from any of our works or actions. Thus we are equal to you in evidence, and you have no superiority over us."

The Hijjází replied, "How are you equal to us? For we at all events shall exist for ever. If we show obedience to God, we shall dwell with the prophets and saints, and shall be associated with the great, and learned, and pious, and just, and eminent, and pure, and devout, and good, and holy. These beings are like unto the angelic cherubims, for they take the lead in good works, they long for the Divine presence, they devote their lives and wealth to God, and put their trust in him; they address their prayers to him; their hopes are in him, and they fear his wrath. If we are sinners and do not obey him, still our salvation will be effected through the intercession of the prophets; more especially will our sins be forgiven through the mediation of the true prophet, the chief of messengers and seal of the prophets, Muhammad the Pure, on whom be the blessing and peace of God! After that we shall all dwell in paradise in the society of the nymphs and youths, and the angels will say to us, 'Blessing on you, be happy, and enter into paradise, there to dwell for ever.' But all ye tribes of beasts are debarred from these blessings, for after your departure from this world