The Story of Murdan Khan and the Daughter of the Jinn,

There was once the son of a soldier who fell into poverty and said to his mother:—“If I had Rs. 50 I would go somewhere in search of service.” His mother gave him the money out of her savings.When he had gone some distance he saw a corpse lying near the road and a grave ready dug.

 A large crowd was there, and one man would not allow the corpse to be buried. The people remonstrated, but he would not mind. The Sepáhi enquired why he would not allow the corpse to be buried. He was told that the dead man owed Rs. 50, and that his creditor would not allow him to be buried till he was repaid. No one present could afford to repay the debt. Finally the Sipáhi paid the debt with all the money he had and buried the corpse. Then he returned home. His mother asked him how he came to return so soon. He replied that with this Rs. 5o he had purchased property, worth many lakhs, and had now no money to pay for its carriage. He told his mother that he needed Rs. 50 more for this purpose. She gave it to him and said she had no more.
The Sipáhi again started with the money. When he reached the spot where he had buried the corpse, he met a Sipáhi armed with sword and shield. They spoke to each other. The second Sipáhi asked the other where he was going. He replied that he was a Sipáhi and had left home with Rs. 50, and had got a corpse buried in that very spot by paying its debts: and had got Rs. 50 more with which he was going in search of employment. Then the second Sipáhi told him that his name was Murdan Khán, and that he also was in search of service, and that he had also Rs. 50. So they joined and went off together.
When they came to a certain city, what did they see but that a river ran in the midst of it, dividing the city into two equal parts. But no one could cross from one bank to the other. They asked why this was so, and the inhabitants told them that in former times people used to cross
freely, but no one had crossed for the last fifty years. If any boat put out it was sunk in the river. Then Murdan Khán proposed to his friend that if they could buy goods on this side which were not procurable on the other and take them across the profits would be great. The other agreed,
but said it was impossible to convey the goods across. Murdan Khan said he would devise some plan. So they purchased goods worth Rs. 75 and tried to hire a boat, but no boatman would accept the job. Finally Murdan Khán said he would manage the boat himself, so the boatman lent him an old boat. Murdan Khán loaded the boat and the news spread in the city. All the people turned out to see the spectacle. Then Murdan Khán let his boat loose and sat on the bulwarks with his sword drawn. His friend said:—“What use is a sword on the river?” Murdan Khán told
him to watch what would happen.
When the boat reached half way across, a hand appeared out of the river and caught the boat and tried to drag it under water. Murdan Khán struck at it with his sword and part of the hand fell into the boat. Then the boat got across. friend asked Murdan Khán:—“What is the meaning of this?”

Murdan Khán replied:—“This was the hand of a daughter of the Jinn. She had made a vow to marry a man, so she got hold of a man to her liking. By him she bore a daughter. She also wishes to marry a man. For this reason she drags down boats that she may find some one on board to her liking.”

His friend, astonished, asked:—“How did you learn this?”

Murdan Khán replied that he was skilled in the science by which secrets become disclosed. I saw a bracelet (kangan), a thumb-ring (arsi), and two or three rings which fairies wear on the hand, when it fell into the boat.”
When this bracelet was shown to the jewellers they declared it was worth the revenue of a kingdom so they asked him whence he had stolen it. Then the jeweller informed the city kotwál. He arrested the two Sipáhis and brought them before the King. He interrogated them about the bracelet. Then Murdan Khán explained how he had cut off the hand of the daughter of the Jinn and acquired the bracelet. He added that he had also a thumb-ring and two finger-rings which he got in the same way. The King was greatly pleased, and presented him with a khilat of immense value. Then Murdan Khán offered the fairy jewellery to the King. He presented it to his Queen. She gave it to her daughter.

The Princess said:—“What is the use of a single set? I want the pair.” The King called all the jewellers and tried to get the pair of these jewels made, but no one could make them. So he sent for Murdan Khán and said:—“If you can get the pair of these jewels you may have my daughter to wife.

Murdan Khán said:—“I cannot marry just now, but I am anxious to get my brother, who is with me, married. If you agree to my proposal I will do my best.” The King agreed.
Then Murdan Khán dived into the river and reached the palace of the Jinn. There he announced himself to be a physician. The Jinn’s daughter, who was in great pain from the loss of her hand, sent for him at once and said she would give him anything he pleased if he would cure her. Murdan Khán had the severed hand with him. He told the Jinn’s daughter to shut her eyes and he could cure her at once. So she shut her eyes. Then Murdan Khán fixed the severed hand to the stump, and it became as it was before. All the Jinns were astonished at his skill. They offered him all sorts of presents. He said he wanted only the pair of the bracelet. So she gave it to him with a lot of other jewels. So he came up out of the water with the jewellery and brought them to the King, who was much pleased; and according to his promise married the Sipáhi to the Princess: and the King dismissed her with her husband, accompanied by an army and valuable presents.
When Murdan Khán and his friend got home all the people wondered how this poor Sipáhi had gained a Princess for his bride. Soon after Murdan Khán took leave of his friend, but the Sipáhi replied:—“What am I that I should take all this wealth. Stay here and we will serve you.” But Murdan Khán said:—“It is not in my power to stay.” “Why,” asked his friend.
Then Murdan Khán explained to him:—“I am the corpse which you had buried. You and I are clear, and I can stay no longer. By the order of God I had to stay with you: so now the blessing of the Almighty be on you.” Then he disappeared. His friend long lamented him. Finally, he erected asplendid tomb to his memory, and appointed a Háfiz to read the Qurán there, and afterwards spent his life in ease and happiness