The Woman Who Loved Red Silk

Once there was a merchant who dealt in silks. A woman came by one day, and she admired the lovely cloths, touching them with care.

"Those are the most expensive," he told her. She fingered them wistfully. He named a price. It was indeed a great deal.

"Perhaps next time…" she said. His lips parted–he was about to offer them to her for less, but he closed his mouth in a firm line. No, he thought, to himself, I must get my price. And the moment passed.

"Yes, perhaps next time," he said. He put the cloths away, and she returned to the street.

That night, thieves broke into his shop and stole his silks. The morning came, and the merchant sat outside his door, miserable and contemplating his ruin. The woman who admired his red silks, spied him and approached him.

"I have brought the money for the silks," she said.

"Alas, they are gone! Stolen in the night…" he cried.

"Ah," she replied and nodded with understanding. And then taking her purse, she counted out the money and pressed it into his hand. "Here, then," she said. "Take this. I have no use for it, for it was meant for the silks," she explained. "Perhaps you can buy some new silks."

He took the money, gratefully. "I must ask," he said, "why would you treat me this way when I was not generous to you?"

"My sister, too, shops in the Medina, she explained, "and she, too, loves fine silk. Watch for her, and be generous!" and she left him.

From that day onward, the merchant would search the eyes of every woman who entered his shop, and he always saw something in their faces that reminded him of the woman who loved red silk–and he never failed to be giving and generous for the rest of his days.

We are the balance that we seek in the world, says Justice.