You must know that we had
a prime vizier who, besides having a great capacity to manage
affairs, understood writing to the highest perfection. This
minister is lately dead, at which the sultan is very much troubled;
and since he can never behold his writing without admiration, he
has made a solemn vow not to give the place to any man but to him
who can write as well as he did. Many people have presented their
writings, but, so far, nobody in all this empire has been judged
worthy to supply the vizier's place.'
Those merchants that believed they could write well enough to
aspire to this high dignity wrote one after another what they
thought fit. After they had done, I advanced, and took the roll out
of the gentleman's hand; but all the people, especially the
merchants, cried out, 'He will tear it, or throw it into the sea,'
till they saw how properly I held the roll, and made a sign that I
would write in my turn; then they were of another opinion, and
their fear turned into admiration. However, since they had never
seen an ape that could write, nor could be persuaded that I was
more ingenious than other apes, they tried to snatch the roll out
of my hand; but the captain took my part once more.
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