About Precious Stones and the Koran

Among the Arabians, serpents, either from the brilliancy of their eyes, or because they inhabit the cavities of the earth, were supposed to possess precious stones of inestimable virtue. This belief was current through many ages. Matthew Paris relates a story of a miserly Venetian, named Vitalis, who was rescued from a terrible death (having fallen into a pitfall in which were a lion and a serpent) by a wood-cutter, to whom he promised half his property for this deliverance. The lion and the serpent, who take advantage of the ladder by which Vitalis was brought to the surface, also testify their gratitude to the wood-cutter by crouching at his feet. While the poor man is having his humble repast in his little hut, the lion enters with a dead goat as a present. The serpent also enters bringing in his mouth a precious stone, which he lays in the countryman's plate. He next goes to Venice, and finds Vitalis in his palace feasting with his neighbours in joy for his deliverance. On being reminded of his promise, the rich man denies having ever seen the wood-cutter, and orders his servants to cast him into prison; but, before this could be effected, the rustic escapes and tells his story to the judges of the city. At first they are incredulous, but on showing the jewel, and proving further the truth by conducting them to the dens of the lion and serpent, where the animals again fawn on their benefactor, Vitalis is compelled to perform his promise.