No living one is hethat hath a title to respectNor dead，that folk should say of him'God's mercy him comprise！'？'
（A.）'The pen.'（Q.）'What does the poet refer to in these verses：
Two breasts in one it hath；its blood is eath and quick of flowWide-mouthedthough all the rest be blackits ears are white as snow.
It hath an idol like a cockthat doth its belly peckAnd half a dirhem is its worthif thou its price wouldst know？'
（A.）'The inkhorn.'（Q.）'And in these：
Say to men of wit and learning and to doctors everywhere，Skilled to find the hidden meanings riddles and enigmas bear，Come expound to me what is it that ye see a bird produce，'Mongst the Arabs and barbarians and wherever else ye fare；
Neither flesh nor bloodI warranthath the thing whereof I speak；Neither down nor feathersbirdwisefor a garment doth it wear.
Boiled it is and likewise roastedeaten hot and eaten cold；Yeato bootand when 'tis buried in the glowing embers'
flare，Colours twain in it are notedone as silver clear and white，And the other lucent yellowgold therewith may not compare.
Living can it not be reckonedneither may we count it dead：
Tell methenwhat is this wonderrarity of all things rare？'
（A.）'Thou makest long the questioning of an egg worth a doit.'
（Q.）'How many words [or times] did God speak to Moses？'（A.）
'It is related of the Prophet that he said'God spoke to Moses fifteen hundred and fifteen words [or times].'（Q.）'Tell me of fourteen things that speak to the Lord of the Worlds？'（A.）
'The seven heavens and the seven earthswhen they say'We comeobedient.'（Q.）'How was Adam created？'（A.）
'God created Adam of clay： the clay He made of foam and the foam of the seathe sea of darknessdarkness of lightlight of a fishthe fish of a rockthe rock of a rubythe ruby of waterand the water He created by the exertion of His omnipotent willaccording to His saying（exalted be His name！）'His commandment is only when He willeth aughtthat He say'Be，'--and it is.'（Q.）'What is meant by the poet in the following verses：