The just KingKisra Anoushirwanwas hunting one day and became separated from his suitein pursuit of an antelope.
Presentlyhe caught sight of a hamletnear at handand being sore athirstmade for the door of a housethat stood by the waysideand asked for a draught of water. A damsel came out and looked at him；thengoing back into the housepressed the juice from a sugar-cane into a tankard and mixed it with water；after which she strewed on the top somewhat of perfumeas it were dustand carried it to the King. He took it and seeing in it what resembled dustdrank itlittle by littletill he came to the end. Then said he to her'O damselthe drink is good and sweetbut for this dust in itthat troubles it.'O guest，'answered she'I put that inof intent.'And why didst thou thus？'asked he；and she replied'I saw that thou wast exceeding thirsty and feared that thou wouldst swallow the whole at one draught and that this would do thee a mischief；and so hadst thou donebut for this dust that troubled the drink.'The King wondered at her wit and good sense and said to her'How many sugar-canes didst thou press for this draught？'
'One，'answered she；whereat the King marvelled and calling for the roll of the taxes of the villagesaw that its assessment was but little and bethought him to increase iton his return to his palacesaying in himself'Why is a village so lightly taxedwhere they get this much juice out of one sugar-cane？'