hoo ! ' almost in his face , as he peered over the edge of the gulf , and the old man threw himself back in a perspiration of horror . He was afraid ! He drew back shuddering , and covering his face in his hands he wept aloud . Presently he was aware of a gentle radiance that shed itself before him . Surely morning was not already coming to hasten and reveal his disgrace ! He took his hands from before his face , and saw before him two lovely beings whom his instinct told him were not mortal , but were Peris from Paradise . ` Why do you weep , old man ? ' said one , in a voice as clear and musical as that of the bulbul . ' I weep for shame , ' replied he . ` What do you here ? ' questioned the other . ' I came here to die , ' said Wali Dad . And as they questioned him , he confessed all his story . Then the first stepped forward and laid a hand upon his shoulder , and Wali Dad began to feel that something strange -- what , he did not know -- was happening to him . His old cotton rags of clothes were changed to beautiful linen and embroidered cloth ; on his hard , bare feet were warm , soft shoes , and on his head a great jewelled turban . Round his neck there lay a heavy golden chain , and the little old bent sickle , which he cut grass with , and which hung in his waistband , had turned into a gorgeous scimetar , whose ivory hilt gleamed in the pale light like snow in moonlight . As he stood wondering , like a man in a dream , the other peri waved her hand and bade him turn and see ; and , lo ! before him a noble gateway stood open . And up an avenue of giant place trees the peris led him , dumb with amazement .
At the end of the avenue , XXXXX the very spot where his hut had stood , a gorgeous palace appeared , ablaze with myriads of lights .
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