Story Number 26

Whilst Phileas has been in Yemen, he has made friends with a kind old merchant. Phileas has been buying his supplies for the rest of his trip from the man. In order to thank Phileas for his kindness... and for spending his money, the merchant invited Phileas to his family home to enjoy some traditional food. Phileas was delighted by the offer and kindly accepted. 

Phileas met all of the merchants family, which included; his children, his wife, his parents, his cousins and even his goat. He also enjoyed some Saltah which is considered to be the national dish. After a very pleasant evening of music, food and a little bit of alcohol, Phileas decided that it was time to leave. He thanked the merchant and his family for there wonderful hospitality. He opened the door to put on his shoes that had been left outside and to his surprise they were gone. "Why would someone do this?" Said Phileas. "Hahahaha! I can't believe it has happened again!" Laughed the old merchant "what do you mean happened again?" Questioned Phileas. By this point not only was the merchant laughing but his whole family was too, even the goat. "Well Mr Fogg, it must have been Goha who took your shoes." "Goha? Who is this Goha? And where can I find him?" Said Phileas. "Goha is a trickster Mr Fogg, and a famous one at that, there is many stories here in Yemen about him being mischievous. Do you want to hear the story about him and the shoes?" Said the merchant. "Okay, but only if you can find my shoes." So Phileas went back into the Merchants house, sat down with the family and the goat whilst the Merchant told the story of Goha and the shoes.... 

Goha's friends decided to play a trick on him. They knocked on his door, pretending he had invited them over for lunch. Goha was embarrassed because he could not remember inviting them round for lunch and had not prepared for the visit. However, he said "Welcome friends, welcome." as if they had been expected. After they had left their shoes at the door, Goha escorted them to the parlour. Goha then quickly rushed to his wife to tell her what had happened. "But Goha..." She protested. "There is no food in the house, how could you invite them for lunch." "I didn't invite them!" Goha explained. "Ah..." She mused. "Well they're trying to trick you Goha. Leave them in the parlour, they'll soon get bored and go home." Meanwhile, the friends were still laughing about the trick they had played on Goha, waiting for their lunch to be brought to them. Goha, hearing their laughter, decided to play his own trick. He sneaked to the door, collected all the shoes they had left and hurried off to the market. Once he was there, he sold them all! He then used the money he gained selling the shoes to buy food for the meal. He rushed back home where his wife prepared the meal. Everyone ate very well because they had waited so long and had become very hungry. Once the meal was finished, the time came to say goodbye and thank Goha and his wife for lunch. They went to put their shoes on, but no one could find them. "Where are our shoes?" they shouted. "You're shoes," Goha answered calmly, "are now in your stomachs!"

Phileas thought this story was hilarious. "I haven't laughed like that in ages, thank you very much." The story made Phileas feel better about having his shoes stolen and he decided that a lot worse could happen to him and he should be grateful for the things he does have and for the friends he has made. With a smile on his face he left the merchants house, and again he waved goodbye to everyone, opened the door and again to his surprise there they were, his shoes outside the house. "I guess Goha changed his mind" said Phileas.