It is told that Haroun er Reshid was sitting one day on the throne of the Khalifatewhen there came in to him a youth of his eunuchsbearing a crown of red goldset with pearls and rubies and all manner other jewelssuch as money might not buyand kissing the ground before himsaid'O Commander of the Faithfulthe lady Zubeideh kisses the earth before thee and saith to theethou knowest she hath let make this crownwhich lacks a great jewel for its top；and she hath made search among her treasuresbut cannot find a jewel to her mind.'Quoth the Khalif to his chamberlains and officers'Make search for a great jewelsuch as Zubeideh desires.'So they soughtbut found nothing befitting her and told the Khalifwho was vexed thereat and exclaimed'Am I Khalif and king of the kings of the earth and lack of a jewel？ Out on ye！ Enquire of the merchants.'So they enquired of the merchantswho replied'Our lord the Khalif will not find a jewel such as he requires save with a man of Bassoraby name Abou Mohammed the Lazy.'They acquainted the Khalif with this and he bade his Vizier Jaafer send a letter to the Amir Mohammed ez Zubeidigovernor of Bassoracommanding him to equip Abou Mohammed the Lazy and bring him to Baghdad.
Jaafer accordingly wrote a letter to that effect and despatched it by Mesrourwho set out forthright for Bassora and went in to the governorwho rejoiced in him and entreated him with the utmost honour. Then Mesrour read him the Khalif's mandateto which he replied'I hear and obey，'and forthwith despatched himwith a company of his followersto Abou Mohammed's house.
When they reached itthey knocked at the doorwhereupon a servant came out and Mesrour said to him'Tell thy master that the Commander of the Faithful calls for him.'The servant went in and told his masterwho came out and found Mesrourthe Khalif's chamberlainand a company of the governor's men at the door. So he kissed the earth before Mesrour and said'I hear and obey the summons of the Commander of the Faithful；but enter ye my house.'