The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 46.3.3

46.3.3

“Promise” said the Brahmin, “that you will give pardon to me, my followers and my children one and all.” “I have given it,” said Muhammad Kasim. “Be pleased then” said the man “to pass a written order to that effect, under your signet as letters patent.” Muhammad Kasim thought the man had some very precious jewel or exquisite ornament to show. But when he made a solemn promise and handed over a document to that effect to the man, the latter "unwound his beard and loosed the hair of his head after uncovering it, and then rolling his breeches round his toes and standing upright, began to frisk about and dance, and to repeat the following words: 'No one has ever seen a more wonderful thing than what I have to show. My beard is so long that it reaches my feet.' Muhammad Kasim was taken aback and those who were present, said: 'what sort of wonderful thing is this on the strength of which you prayed for a pardon! Indeed you have cheated us.' But Muhammad Kasim said: 'No, a promise is a promise, after all, and a word a word. Great men never change their promises or break their word. It is said: "Do not look to the fact that a man is a possessor of learning and science; look to the man's faithfulness in keeping a promise and see how he is in that respect.