Page 17 - Fables volume 1

How Paradise was Glimpsed by the Camel

Abdullah, wearing blinders while he worked, did not see a gob of
dark green vegetable matter drop into his water trough from the
mouth of a passing camel. Nor was it noticed by any of the people
hanging around the entrance to the sesame oil press; the
expectorations of beasts of burden were too commonplace.
It was late in a hot dusty afternoon, and Abdullah’s pace slackened.
When the oil shop’s proprietor became aware of the decline in his
camel’s rate of circumambulation, he slapped the animal smartly
across the shanks with a stick well-polished by similar applications.
Abdullah responded by straining harder against the massive wooden
spoke strapped to his chest.
Just before sunset, the owner closed up his establishment. After
locking the front doors, he released Abdullah and led him out in to
the small rear courtyard. As usual, when taking his few steps out of
orbit, the camel stumbled against the sudden absence of resistance.
This evening, however, he was so disoriented that he fell to his knees.
The proprietor rewarded him with a kick before tying him to a ring in
the wall and removing his blinders. Then the man threw down an
armful of fodder and hurried off to evening prayers.
Abdullah got to his feet shakily. The twilight hurt his eyes more
than it should have. His nostrils were keenly reacting against the rank
and rancid odors billowing forth from the deserted oil press. What is
happening to me? he wondered; my senses are acting strangely, and I
can’t coordinate my muscles.
He tried eating his supper, but regurgitated immediately. It must be
the desert wind, he told himself, bringing disease from the land of the
infidels. He resolutely locked his wobbling legs and forced his bulging
eyes shut. A good night’s sleep ought to put me right, he thought.
A loud clatter awoke him. The waning moon had risen: to Abdullah
the world appeared painted with silver. The outer gate finally yielded
to the hooves of a large shaggy camel, who shouldered through the
sundered portal.
“Abdullah!” thundered the newcomer.
“Eh? Who—what—?”
16