1  But Muhammed's skill at business soon became very apparant!  He got his mother's share of the inheritance every half year, and his uncle had told his treasurer to give the boy spending money each month.
2  Now, people came to Abu constantly, asking for loans, but often times they asked so little that it was not profitable for Abu to loan to them.  For it would bring him so little profit.  But one day he saw some of these people coming to his treasurer, and when they were gone he went in and said, "Why were those people here?  I have done no business with them!"
3  "Oh, true, my lord!"  the treasurer answered, "But your nephew, hearing their plea, took pity on them, and gave them the loan.  And not one he has loaned to has not repaid him.  His funds grow with every month, though often times all that he has is out and about."
4   Abu was amazed, and sought the boy out.  "Muhammed, you do well with your lending, but do not lend all that you have!  Keep some for yourself!"
5  And Muhammed looked at him questioningly.  "Uncle," he asked, "what need I?  I sleep in your tents, I eat at your bowl.  I have all I need!  Why should this money I have lie about and do nothing, when it can help good people in need, that are worse off than myself?  When I have need of it, I will keep more.  But all that I send out comes back with interest, and love, and kindness.  For I have done good with it.  Is it wrong to do good with what one has?"
6  And Muhammed's uncle was pleased with the boy's character.  And he went back to the treasurer and said, "Put a hundred extra in Muhammed's funds from me, that he might have more to lend.  But whatever he makes on it, shall be his, for he is a man who knows how to use his wealth and he should have more to use." The treasurer smiled.
 7  In a very short passage of time there were many in the city to whom Muhammed was blessed, who would be very angry if any spoke ill of him.  And his uncle did not consider that this was a bad thing.
8  Now, one day Muhammed's uncle took him to the slave market, because Muhammed was very good at selecting slaves.  He always found the ones of good character, and who would work well if they were treated well, and not become lazy.  They were inspecting the wares when a man came in dragging a woman of color with three children of varying ages, following behind her.  The woman was crying "Please, my lord!  Please!  I have been faithful to you!  I have always considered myself your wife!  My children are from your loins!  You cannot sell us!  We are flesh of your flesh, blood of your blood.  Do not do this!"
9  Muhammed walked over and stepped in front of the man.  "Man," he cried, "what do you do, selling your wife and children?"
10  The man answered "Begone, boy!  You do not understand these things!  I am deeply in debt.  I must sell my slaves to save my house."
11  "You must sell you life,"  Muhammed answered, "to save your dwelling?  Man, God will not forgive you for this!  If you were to do this thing, your heart would forever be heavy.  You would awake each night, wondering at your sons and daughters, and longing for the warmth of your wife.  Do you not know that when you put your seed within a woman, and she gives forth unto you life, she has become a part of you?  No man should sell the mother of his children, no matter what his circumstances!  Better to give up your home and take up common labor, and live in a rented hovel, than to sell away your immortal Soul!  I tell you, man, if you do this, you will lose all, and be driven mad!
12  Take your wife and your children home.  Ask all you owe to wait but another month, and be patient, and God will fulfill, and all you need will come unto you."
13  "What God do you speak of, boy?"  the man asked.  "There are many Gods.  Twenty are worshipped in this city, alone!  What God would help me?"
14  "The One True God," Muhammed answered.  "The God of all Truth, of all love."
15  Quite a crowd had gathered and the man looked about him.  One of the men in the crowd cried out, "You owe me ten and six!  But I will be patient!  I will wait!  Heed the boy's words!  Take your wife and your children home."
16  "I, also!"  another man cried.  "And I, too!" another man put in.
17  The man stared about him another time, and then nodded.  "Whatever God sent you, young man, bless Him!  I hear your words!"  He let go the woman's hand. "Come, wife!" he snapped, "Come, children!  Let us go home!"  He started off, the woman hesitated, and followed after.
18 The man turned and looked at her "A servant walks behind the master," he remarked, "the wife walks beside her husband."