“I suppose you think this trade is all honey and rosewater. But just last week I had to let my errand boy go. He was eating me out of house and home.
“Now I’ve got this consignment of sweets for the Palace and nobody to deliver them unless I leave the stall unattended—and if I do THAT, every beggar and dog in the market will grab a free meal while I’m gone.
“Do you understand my position?”
“Have you any compassion for a humble trader?”
“Would you be so kind as to deliver the sweets for me?”
“Please do take these sweets to the ladies’ wing of the Palace. I shudder to think what the Begum would do if the delivery were delayed!”
“From the marketplace, go NORTH to the main entrance of the Palace. The service entrance of the purdah wing is the little door on the EAST side of the entrance archway.”
“What a delightful pleasure to see you again! Did you deliver the sweets?”
“Did you deliver the sweets to the Palace?”
“May Allah shower mercies upon you!”
“Yes, I thought you had a kind face. It is as I’ve always said: Allah will provide. Perhaps you might be so kind as to take the sweets to the Palace for me.
“What do you say?”
“Such a happy solution to my problem! As you can see, the package is quite a small one, but of such exquisite quality…!”
He places a small, rather sticky parcel on the counter.
“Something seems to be troubling you, my child. Perhaps you forgot the sweets somewhere.”
“You have my undying gratitude.”
The sweet-seller also rewards you in a more tangible form with one copper dirham, which you slip into your pocket.
“There’s no pity in this world. Ah well, Allah will provide.”
“Oh, if only you would reconsider! Such a small step out of your way, and it would earn my undying gratitude!”
“What an unkind young woman you are, to play such tricks on a humble vendor.”
“What an unkind young man you are, to play such tricks on a humble vendor.”
(Silly you. If you had told the truth, you would have been paid.)
“Please don’t delay too long. One would not wish to anger the Begum.
“Oh, please do wash your hands first.”
You pick up the package. It’s wrapped in paper and tied securely with string (doesn’t he trust you?).
“Now, those are for the Begum and her ladies. Go to the purdah entrance in the main archway and give them to the eunuch at the door.”
“Oh, no, please! You have agreed to deliver them to the Palace.”
“Now be sure to come back for the sweets as soon as you've washed your hands!”
“Please! The sweets for the Palace!”
“I must ask you to keep your hands to yourself unless you’ve the money to buy.”
“And here, do have this pastry to sustain you on the way.”
He sets one of his sweet pastries on the counter.
…and, whether you like it or not, he sets out another of his sticky pastries.
“May I suggest you consume my pastries one at a time! They are very rich.”
“Why, what a pretty melody!”
“Please, good lady. Don’t be greedy!”
“Please, kind sir. Don’t be greedy!”
“An excellent choice!”
He takes your money and sets one of his sticky pastries on the counter.
“I have fried pastries, baked pastries, milk sweets, halva, candied nuts, honeyed figs… The pastries are especially fine today. Just one dirham!”
“No, no, that is yours to eat.”
“Oh, no, thank you. I’ve never cared much for roast meats.”
“Ah, those are from my sister’s stall. I can assure you they will be delicious.”
