With a proud air he walked up to the throne , and kneeling down , asked : ` What does my lord and father command ? ' The king replied : ` My son , doubts have been thrown on your claim to that name . One of these boxes contains the proofs of your birth . Choose for yourself . No doubt you will choose right . ' He then pointed to the ivory boxes , which were placed on two little tables near the throne . Labakan rose and looked at the boxes . He thought for some minutes , and then said : ` My honoured father , what can be better than the happiness of being your son , and what nobler than the riches of your love . I choose the box with the words `` Wealth and Happiness . '' ' ` We shall see presently if you have chosen the right one . For the present take a seat there beside the Pacha of Medina , ' replied the king . Omar was next led in , looking sad and sorrowful . He threw himself down before the throne and asked what was the king 's pleasure . The king pointed out the two boxes to him , and he rose and went to the tables . He carefully read the two mottoes and said : ` The last few days have shown me how uncertain is happiness and how easily riches vanish away . Should I lose a crown by it I make my choice of `` Honour and Glory . '' ' He laid his hand on the box as he spoke , but the king signed to him to wait , and ordered Labakan to come to the other table and lay his hand on the box he had chosen . Then the king rose from his throne , and in solemn silence all present rose too , whilst he said : ` Open the boxes , and may Allah show us the truth . ' The boxes were opened with the greatest ease . In the one Omar had chosen lay a little gold crown and sceptre on a velvet cushion .
In Labakan 's box was found -- a large needle XXXXX some thread !
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