Jawamiʿ al-hikayat wa lawamiʿ al-riwayat 6.3

6.3

I promise, however, that if I do not find the thief within a week I will pay the value of the things." The Rái replied, "You must find the thief instantly, or I will punish you as a warning to others." The police officer said it was not in his power to produce him. The Rái asked him, "Would you like me to find him?" and the poor man replied, "Yes." There was an idol of stone in Nahrwála resembling a negro. The Rái told the ambassadors that this idol was obedient to him. He then made a signal to it, and waited a moment, then turning his face towards the ambassadors he said, "Do you see this negro?" They said, "We see nothing." The Rái then addressed it, saying: "A theft was committed last night, and the clothes of a prostitute were stolen; tell me where they are." After a short time he exclaimed, "They are buried in such and such a place." People proceeded to the spot, and there found the things which had been stolen. The police officer said, "If the Rái would be pleased to give the necessary directions the thief also might be caught and punished." The Rái answered: "The idol says you have recovered the stolen goods, what more do you want?" The police officer still pressed the point, and the king replied, "The idol says he will direct you to the thief if you will promise to pardon him." The officer gave the required promise, and the king then said, "The idol says that a weaver who dwells in such and such a place was the thief." The weaver was brought forward.