noon
So Shibli Bagarag dismounted , and followed her up the hills and the rocks , through ravines and gorges of the rocks , and by tumbling torrents , among hanging woods , over perilous precipices , where no sun hath pierced , and the bones of travellers whiten in loneliness ; and they continued mounting upward by winding paths , now closed in by coverts , now upon open heights having great views , and presently a mountain was disclosed to them , green at the sides high up it ; and Noorna bin Noorka said to Shibli Bagarag , ` Mount here , for the cunning of this Ass can furnish him no excuse further for making thee food for the birds of prey . ' So Shibli Bagarag mounted , and they ceased not to ascend the green slopes till the grass became scanty and darkness fell , and they were in a region of snow and cold . Then Noorna bin Noorka tethered the Ass to a stump of a tree and breathed in his ear , and the Ass became as a creature carved in stone ; and she drew from her bosom two bags of silk , and blew in one and entered it , bidding Shibli Bagarag do likewise with the other bag ; and he obeyed her , drawing it up to his neck , and the delightfulness of warmth came over him . Then said she , ` To-morrow , at noon , we shall reach near the summit of the mountain and the Well of Paravid , if my power last over this Ass ; and from that time thou wilt be on the high road to greatness , so fail not to remember what I have done for thee , and be not guilty of ingratitude when thy hand is the stronger . ' He promised her , and they lay and slept . When he awoke the sun was half-risen , and he looked at Noorna bin Noorka in the silken bag , and she was yet in the peacefulness of pleasant dreams ; but for the Ass , surely his eyes rolled , and his head and fore legs were endued with life , while his latter half seemed of stone . And the youth called to Noorna bin Noorka , and pointed to her the strangeness of the condition of the Ass .