Narrative arc: Al-Ḥārith attends a literary gathering; a poorly presented stranger demonstrates remarkable poetic ability; the audience's suspicion turns into admiration; new verses deepen the impression; the narrator recognizes Abū Zayd al-Sarūjī; Abū Zayd answers questions about his changed appearance with poems on hardship and patience, then departs.
Literary resources: black garments for grief, night and morning for hair and face, crystal and pearls for fingers and teeth, moonlight for greying hair, deceptive lightning for unreliable appearances, and gold in fire for lasting worth under trial.
Central insight: outward condition does not necessarily reveal genuine ability. The maqāmah unites story, performance, figurative language and reflection. This completes the second Ḥulwān maqāmah.