The Music Trilogy Read Online Free PDF Page B

payment.” Jamil nodded again. “This is what we’ll do: During the next month you will go fishing, right?” Again Jamil nodded. He figured it was best to let the doctor do the talking. “You will bring me what you think is the best fish you see, enough for myself and my family, once a week for a month. Is that alright? Do we have a deal?” Jamil could not believe his ears. He had been worried the entire time about how he would pay this man, this man who had now saved his son’s life.
    “Oh, yes, Doctor. Whatever you say, whatever you say!” Jamil beamed, showing off yellowing teeth. He hugged the doctor, although this was difficult—the man was really big. Perhaps he should have been a wrestler, Jamil thought, and then shook his head. No, the big man with the delicate fingers saved lives—much better.
     
    The next day Jamil was already in the felucca waiting for Ibrahim.
    “Jamil, what are you doing here so early?” Ibrahim asked, suppressing a yawn.
    Jamil jumped out of the boat and hugged his friend. “He saved his life, he saved his life!”
    “Who? Who saved whose life?”
    “The Greek, Doctor Simeon, Ali is going to be alright!” Jamil shouted gleefully.
    Ibrahim shouted for joy as well and grabbed his friend. They embraced, jumped up and down on the pier, laughed, danced, and even cried. They headed to the felucca an arm on each other’s shoulder, went into the boat and pushed back from the pier. They headed out to sea and Jamil immediately picked up his flute and began playing like never before. He didn’t stop for a moment. It was the happiest day of his life.
    “I have never heard you play so well, my friend,” Ibrahim said. “The fish will be hypnotized right into our nets!”
    That evening, after fishing and throwing their nets overboard throughout the day, they pulled in their last catch before the rays of sun faded over the horizon. It was one of their best hauls ever.
    “Hey, maybe your playing attracted the fish after all!” Ibrahim laughed.
    “And you had doubts about my playing! Look at them all!” Jamil exclaimed. “They are big and beautiful. We will have a feast tonight at my house, in honor of my son’s life!” He pulled out and selected what he thought were the biggest and the best. “These I will take to Doctor Simeon; for him and his family. That is the payment: Once a week for the next month.”
    “This Doctor Simeon is a good man,” Ibrahim said.
    “Yes, he is,” Jamil said groaning, “Ibrahim, help me, there is something heavy in here!”
    “What did that music of yours pull in this time?” He said, rushing to his friend’s side.
    Both men had all they could do to lift the net out of the water. When they finally did they realized a terra cotta vase, as long as one of their arms and covered with algae, was among their last catch.
    “Well, it’s an urn, and not very pretty either,” Ibrahim grunted.
    “And slimy with plants from the ocean.”
    “What should we do with it? We surely can’t get any money for it. Nobody would want such an ugly old thing.”
    “I know,” Jamil exclaimed,” I’ll clean it up nicely and put the Doctor’s fish in it, sort of a packaging. What do you think?”
    “Good idea. Now, let’s get back before dark.”
     
    Jamil walked into the hospital, accompanied by his wife. He carried the cleaned up ceramic vase and she held a small box. They went in to see their son. Ali was sitting up in bed, resting peacefully. His parents showered him with kisses and hugs. Doctor Simeon walked in to check on his patient.
    “So, Jamil! What do you think of Ali?”
    “Oh, Doctor, he looks wonderful! May Allah always grant you all your wishes!”
    “Thank you, that would be wonderful. This is Ali’s mother?”
    “Yes. My wife, Leila.”
    She timidly offered him the small box. Her husband had mentioned that he was as big as the Colossus of Rhodes, but she thought he was exaggerating. “These are some sweets I made for you, Doctor,” she