A wealthy merchant was aboard a ship that carried his wares, when a violent storm struck. The wind and waves put all aboard the ship in peril of death. The wealthy merchant prayed to be delivered on account of his modest wife. A stranger stood nearby and was amazed to hear the merchant praying and mentioning the merits of his wife. The wealthy merchant answered that indeed she was worthy of all praise. The stranger challenged the merchant: “No woman is so perfect. I shall go and seduce her. What sign do you require of me?” The husband answered that she wore a fine ring on her hand, and if he brought it, then the husband would know that he had indeed seduced her. They risked all their wares on this bet.

The stranger went to seduce the wife of the wealthy merchant and could not even come near her. He returned several times but she paid him no attention. At length he hired her maidservant to steal her ring from her. The stranger presented the ring then took all the wares of the wealthy merchant as agreed.

The wealthy merchant returned home empty-handed. When the woman heard that her husband had returned, she adorned herself and happily came to meet him, with all their long-established words of love and affection. Her husband did not even embrace her, but turned away from her and sent her away from him on the ship which had brought him across the sea.

He disguised himself, changed his manner of speech and behaved as a stranger so that she should not recognize him, and acted as the ship’s captain. The woman spent several days on board ship without food and drink, and entreated the captain to give her some food. “Kiss me and I shall give you whatever you wish,” said he, but she refused.

The woman lived on dried bread crusts and water and when land was spotted from the ship, she begged to be let go.

 the ship came to land. The woman went ashore and sought for food and found two trees. The fruit of one made the eater leprous, while the fruit of the other cured the disease. She took some of the healing fruit in her bag and came at last to a royal palace. The king needed this remedy and she cured him, and the king gave her riches in plenty. Then she went back home and rebuked her husband for having suspected her. Thereupon her husband investigated the matter, and it was found that the Stranger had lied about her, and he was brought to judgment.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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