him as follows: "Is it not the case that you are poor and have to live on the alms of those who are devoted to you? But in your heart of hearts you would like to shower your bounties on your brethren and neighbours so generous and compassionate is your nature. What a pity that such a noble soul lives on alms", "You have read my mind aright," quietly responded the hermit. "May I hope," said the Evil One entreatingly, "that you will be pleased to accept two golden dinars which you will find at your side bed every morning from tomorrow, You will then be relieved of depending on others and be in a position to do charity to your poor relations and brethren. As for that wretched tree, what if that be ent down. Surely your poor needy brethren would get nothing and you would lose the opportunity of helping them while the tree would grow again". The hermit pondered over these words and said to himself "This old man speaks quite reasonably,
