If by accidental chance lightning strike some flock of ewes or sheep or other animals of whatever kind, which may belong to one or more persons, and be the flock as large as you like, the great Kaan would not exact the tithe for three years. And equally if it happen that lightning strike some ship full of merchandise, he does not wish any rent or share of it, because he thinks it a bad omen when lightning strikes anyone's goods; and the great Kaan says, "God hated him, therefore he has struck him with lightning." And so he does not wish such goods struck by the divine anger to enter into his treasury.
Source:
Polo, Marco: The Travels of Marco Polo. Book 2, Chapter 27: How the Kaan Bestows Help on his People, When They Are Afflicted with Dearth or Murrain
Further Reading:
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