The Barmecide Feast

by James Baldwin

　　

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There was once a rich old man who was called the Bar-me-cide. He livedin a beautiful palace in the midst of flowery gardens. He hadevery-thing that heart could wish.In the same land there was a poor man whose name was Schac-a-bac. Hisclothing was rags, and his food was the scraps which other people hadthrown away. But he had a light heart, and was as happy as a king.Once when Schac-a-bac had not had anything to eat for a long time, hethought that he would go and ask the Bar-me-cide to help him.The servant at the door said, "Come in and talk with our master. Hewill not send you away hungry."Schacabac went in, and passed through many beautiful rooms, lookingfor the Barmecide. At last he came to a grand hall where there weresoft carpets on the floor, and fine pictures on the walls, andpleasant couches to lie down upon.At the upper end of the room he saw a noble man with a long whitebeard. It was the Barmecide; and poor Schacabac bowed low before him,as was the custom in that country.The Barmecide spoke very kindly, and asked what was wanted.Schacabac told him about all his troubles, and said that it was nowtwo days since he had tasted bread."Is it possible?" said the Barmecide. "You must be almost dead withhunger; and here I have plenty and to spare!"Then he turned and called, "Ho, boy! Bring in the water to wash ourhands, and then order the cook to hurry the supper."Schacabac had not expected to be treated so kindly. He began to thankthe rich man."Say not a word," said the Barmecide, "but let us get ready for thefeast."Then the rich man began to rub his hands as though some one waspouring water on them. "Come and wash with me," he said.Schacabac saw no boy, nor basin, nor water. But he thought that heought to do as he was bidden; and so, like the Barmecide, he made apretense of washing."Come now," said the Barmecide, "let us have supper."He sat down, as if to a table, and pre-tend-ed to be carving a roast.Then he said, "Help yourself, my good friend. You said you werehungry: so, now, don't be afraid of the food."Schacabac thought that he un-der-stood the joke, and he made pretenseof taking food, and passing it to his mouth. Then he began to chew,and said, "You see, sir, I lose no time.""Boy," said the old man, "bring on the roast goose.--Now, my goodfriend, try this choice piece from the breast. And here are sweetsauce, honey, raisins, green peas, and dry figs. Help yourself, andremember that other good things are coming."Schacabac was almost dead with hunger, but he was too polite not to doas he was bidden."Come," said the Barmecide, "have another piece of the roast lamb. Didyou ever eat anything so de-li-cious?""Never in my life," said Schacabac. "Your table is full of goodthings.""Then eat heartily," said the Barmecide. "You cannot please mebetter."After this came the des-sert. The Barmecide spoke of sweet-meats andfruits; and Schacabac made believe that he was eating them."Now is there anything else that you would like?" asked the host."Ah, no!" said poor Schacabac. "I have indeed had great plenty.""Let us drink, then," said the Barmecide. "Boy, bring on the wine!""Excuse me, my lord," said Schacabac, "I will drink no wine, for it isfor-bid-den."The Barmecide seized him by the hand. "I have long wished to find aman like you," he said. "But come, now we will sup in earnest."He clapped his hands. Servants came, and he ordered supper. Soon theysat down to a table loaded with the very dishes of which they hadpre-tend-ed to eat.Poor Schacabac had never had so good a meal in all his life. When theyhad fin-ished, and the table had been cleared away, the Barmecidesaid,--"I have found you to be a man of good un-der-stand-ing. Your wits arequick, and you are ready always to make the best of everything. Comeand live with me, and manage my house."And so Schacabac lived with the Barmecide many years, and never againknew what it was to be hungry.

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