So he waited many months , till the tree was covered with more dates than any tree had ever borne before . When they were near ripening he sent one of his sons to the garden : saying , ` My son , I am longing to taste those dates : go and watch over them , for to-day 's sun will bring them to perfection . ' And the lad answered : ` My father , I am going now , and to-morrow , when the sun has passed the hour of seven , bid a slave come and gather the dates . ' ` Good , ' said the sultan . The youth went to the tree , and lay down and slept . And about midnight he arose to look at the tree , and the dates were all there -- beautiful dates , swinging in bunches . ` Ah , my father will have a feast , indeed , ' thought he . ` What a fool my brother was not to take more heed ! Now he is in disgrace , and we know him no more . Well , I will watch till the bird comes . I should like to see what manner of bird it is . ' And he sat and read till the cocks crew and it grew light , and the dates were still on the tree . ` Oh my father will have his dates ; they are all safe now , ' he thought to himself . ' I will make myself comfortable against this tree , ' and he leaned against the trunk , and sleep came on him , and the bird flew down and ate all the dates . When the sun rose , the head-man came and looked for the dates , and there were no dates . And he woke the young man , and said to him , ` Look at the tree . ' And the young man looked , and there were no dates . And his ears were stopped , and his legs trembled , and his tongue grew heavy at the thought of the sultan . His slave became frightened as he looked at him , and asked , ` My master , what is it ? ' He answered , ' I have no pain anywhere , but I am ill everywhere .
My whole body is well , and my whole body is sick I fear my father , for did I not say XXXXX him , `` To-morrow at seven you shall taste the dates '' ?
against before for in of on over than till to