Liber Plutonis - Chapter 11

Verses

Verse 23

There was a merchant of Nishapur who buried every coin he earned, trusting soil more than sons.

Verse 24

A jinn of the lower wind watched him dig by moonlight and asked, Why do men call a thing yours after you have hidden it from yourself?

Verse 25

The merchant said, Because I know where it is.

Verse 26

The jinn replied, So does the earth.

Verse 27

Beside the coins lay a pomegranate seed carried there by a bird. It possessed nothing and therefore began immediately to grow.

Verse 28

Years passed. The merchant counted his keys; the seed counted seasons without arithmetic.

Verse 29

Roots entered the chamber where the coins slept and wrapped the jars as gently as fingers around a cup.

Verse 30

The merchant returned old and breathless. He found the tree above but could not remember the exact stone below.

Verse 31

He cursed the earth for stealing from him.

Verse 32

The jinn said, Strange accusation. You gave the treasure to darkness and darkness merely accepted.

Verse 33

The merchant dug until his heart rebelled against the work.

Verse 34

They buried him beneath the pomegranate tree, three arm-lengths from the jar he had sought.

Verse 35

In spring the fruit was excellent.

Verse 36

Travelers ate beneath the branches and praised the generosity of the dead man, who would have objected strongly.

Verse 37

Thus Plouton's joke: what is hoarded below may return as nourishment above.

Verse 38

And thus the jinn's amendment: not every buried thing should be recovered.

Verse 39

Some wealth becomes useful only after its owner loses the password.