The Wizard Leaning Back (Borges)

There was a sheikh in Santiago who was bent on learning witchcraft. He heard that Don Ilan of Toledo was more proficient than anyone else, so he went to Toledo for advice.

As soon as he arrived in Toledo, he went directly to Don Ilan's house, where he was reading a book in a secluded room. Don Ilan received him graciously, invited him to dinner first, and then said the purpose of his visit. After the meal, the sheikh explained his intentions and asked him to teach witchcraft. Don Ilan said he had seen his identity

Man, worried that after teaching him, he would cross the river and tear down the bridge. The Sheikh assured him that he would never forget his benefits and would be ready to serve him at any time in the future. Don Ilan believed in his promise, explaining that to learn witchcraft one had to pick a secluded place. After saying this, he took his hand and went to the next room with a large round iron plate on the ground. Before that, Don Ilan ordered the maid to prepare quail for dinner, but he had to wait until he spoke before roasting it. They lifted the iron plate and went down the smooth stone steps, and the sheikh felt that they were already under the bed of the Tejo River. The steps culminate in a small room, then a study, and then a laboratory for witchcraft equipment. While they were flipping through the magic book, two men sent a letter to the sheikh, written by his uncle, who was a bishop, saying that his uncle was very ill and that if he wanted to see his uncle one last time, he would hurry back. This news made the teacher unhappy, first because of his uncle's illness, and secondly because he wanted to interrupt his studies. He decided to write a letter of condolence and apology and send it to the bishop. Three days later, several men in mourning clothes came to deliver a letter to the imam, saying that the bishop had died of illness and was currently selecting an heir, and that by the grace of the Lord, the sheikh had the hope of being chosen. The letter also said he did not have to rush back because it was better to be chosen in his absence.

Ten days later, two well-dressed messengers came, and as soon as they saw him, they crawled to the ground, kissed his hand, and called him bishop. When Don Ilan saw this, he was overjoyed and told the new bishop that the good news had been received in his home and that he should thank God. Don Ilan then asked for a vacant position as sheikh for one of his sons. The bishop told him that the position of sheikh had been promised to his brother, but that another benefit could be given, and offered the three of them to go to Santiago together.

The three of them arrived in Santiago and were received with a grand reception. Six months later, the Pope sent emissaries to see the Bishop, who appointed him Archbishop of Tolossa, who appointed himself. When Don Ilan heard the news, he reminded the archbishop of the previous promise to give his son a position. The archbishop said that the position had been granted to his other uncle, but that he could give another benefit to Don Elan. He offered the three of them to go to Tolossa together, and Don Ilan had to agree.

The three of them arrived in Tolossa, where they were received solemnly and for whom mass was held. Two years later, the Pope sent emissaries to the Archbishop and appointed him Cardinal, who himself appointed his successor. Don Ilan heard about this and reminded him of his past promises. The cardinal said that the position of archbishop had been granted to his uncle, but that another benefit could be given. He offered the three of them to go to Rome together, and Don Ilan agreed again.

The three arrived in Rome, where they were received solemnly, and mass and processions were held for them. Four years later, the pope died and the cardinal was elected pope. Don Ilan heard the news and kissed His Majesty the Pope on the foot, reminding him of the promise he had made before, to ask for the position of cardinal for his son. The Pope threatened to throw him in jail, saying that he was nothing more than a wizard and that he was only teaching witchcraft in Tolossa.

Poor Don Ilan said he was going back to Spain and asked the Pope to give him something to eat along the way, but the Pope disagreed. So Don Ilan (whose countenance had become strangely younger) said without trembling, "Then I will have to eat the quail I have prepared for tonight."

The maid came out, and Don Ilan told her to start roasting the quail. As soon as the words fell out, the Pope found himself in a basement in Toledo, just a sheikh in Santiago. He was ashamed of his ungratefulness and stuttered and did not know how to apologize. Don Ilan said that the test was enough, stopped inviting him to eat quail, and sent him to the door to wish him a safe journey.