Ameer told his grandfather about the incident with the boys and how they had all wanted to play with his toys. His grandfather, who was used to making clay utensils, started the manufacture of clay toys as well with the help of his wife and Ameer's mother (whom he had adopted as a daughter), Leila. And they were so much liked by the masses that he started producing them exclusively. In just a few years, their business of making clay toys expanded. Their living conditions started to improve. When they had made enough money, they moved into a large house in the village, bringing Ameer closer to Omru. The increase in their business brought quite a change to Ameer's life.
Due to an increase in sales, his mother was able to hire the same teachers that taught Omru, who had previously been educated at home because they couldn't manage to afford a teacher. They both developed literacy skills. The finest instructors also instructed them in horseback riding and sword fighting. Their friendship thrived. Omru became like a second son to Leila. And with time, both friends grew up into strapping young adults.
One day in the city, Ameer was putting up his stall. He had taken over the responsibility of selling clay toys from his mother and grandmother. Additionally, he delivered the merchandise to his renowned clients himself.
He was putting the toys up on the counter when he heard a disturbance. He looked up and saw a few men shouting and chasing after someone. He had a pretty good idea as to who that might be. He just shook his head. A group of people came running near the place he was setting up. The first of them was an old man. He was shouting obscenities. Behind him followed two guards brandishing large swords. They looked around wildly but couldn't seem to find what they were looking for. They continued to move forward.
"Don't you get tired of it?" asked Ameer without turning around.
"No, I do not," replied a voice. Ameer shook his head as he propped up sticks for his stand.
"Come on. Get your lazy ass up. I need this," he said, tugging on the piece of thick cloth in between the folds in which his friend was hiding. Omru let out a gasp and fell out.
"Be gentle, my friend." "You know I am delicate," he said grumpily, rubbing his leg.
"Yeah, right. Very delicate. What did you do this time, Omru?" Ameer grunted.
"Nothing that stupid old man did not deserve," he said, popping a date into his mouth.
"Why do I find that hard to believe?" snorted Ameer.
"Oh, come on, you know I don't trick honest people. The last honest person I tricked was you, and that happened a long time ago." He finished and popped another date into his mouth.
Ameer knew his friend too much to know that he was telling the truth. But he wasn't going to let him down easily. As he hoisted up the thick cloth to make a little tent, the intention of which was to protect the stall and himself from the scorching heat of the sun, he asked
"Where did you get these dates?" asked Ameer, raising a single eyebrow.
"An old woman gifted them to me," replied Omru calmly.
"Old woman?" asked Ameer skeptically.
"Yes, brother, an old woman," replied Omru in a bored voice.
"And why was this old woman kind enough to bestow you with gifts?" asked Ameer.
"Just my pretty face and charming personality, I suppose."
"Omru!" Growled Ameer
"Fine. This crazy loan shark was threatening her with jail time and slavery for a loan she took. Despite her returning it with interest. He had rigged the numbers. I cleared up the whole situation," he replied with a shrug.
"And how did you clear the situation, might I ask?" said Ameer.
"Simple. I cut off the loan shark's coin bag and gave him the money that the old woman owed. She was so relieved and grateful that she offered me these dates," replied Omru.
"Want some?" he asked, offering them to Ameer.
"No thank you," said Ameer, trying to sound stern but failing miserably as his face split into a smile.
Ameer sold everything while Omru watched, still partially hidden. Today was a good day, thought Ameer as he weighed the heavy pouch of gold coins in his hands, his stall now empty.
The two cleared up everything and mounted their horses to return home. Ameer's mother was preparing a delicious dinner of roast duck, and they both didn't want to be late.
As they exited the city gate, they saw a man. He was so old that his face had barely legible features due to wrinkles. His clothes were torn, and his feet were full of blisters from walking barefoot.
"Won't you help a poor, hungry old man?" He cried out to them both. Ameer dismounted and gave the old man his shawl and his shoes.
"Have you gone crazy?" "What will you wear?" asked Omru.
"I've got another pair of shoes at home," he replied shortly. He also gave him a handful of coins.
"Thank you, kind young master. Do you have anything to eat?" He asked weakly.
Ameer looked at his friend with questioning eyes. Omru raised his one eyebrow obstinately, not making another move.
"Omru," said Ameer quietly.
Omru sighed and handed the old man his remaining dates with a grimace.
"Here," he said grudgingly.
"Blessings upon you, young masters. You are very kind. I cannot repay your kindness. But I have something. It is of no use to me. Maybe you can make some sense of it," he said, looking at them questioningly.
"What is it?" asked Omru, at once interested.
"Here it is, young master. Take it! May your path ahead be easy," he said as he handed her an old leather bag. He bowed to them and started walking away slowly.
Omru opened the bag, interested.
"Look. It's an old piece of bleached lamb's skin. What are we to do with it?" shrugged Omru.
He handed it to Ameer to take a look.
Ameer looked at it from both sides. But it was empty.
It looked like it could be used to write something.
"Hey. Where did you get this from?" Omru shouted, turning around.
But there was no one in sight. The old man had disappeared into thin air.