In the time when Haroun al-Raschid was Caliph of Baghdad, there was a poor porter who carried heavy loads from one part of the city to another. One hot day his load was even heavier than usual. Tired and miserable, he sat down on a marble bench that stood beside the gate ofa magnificent house.

As he rested, from the house came the sound of sweet music, and the rich smell of wines and roast meat and other delicious things.