fied with the continual proofs she had given him of
her affection. He was therefore greatly embarrassed
as to what answer to make. "O my father," said he,
"I know not how this mystery hath been revealed to
thee. I am indeed married to a Fairy. I love her and



238 Story of Prince Ahmed

am persuaded that she loves me in return. But I can
say nothing as to the influence thou sayest I have over
her. However, the demand of a father is a command
upon every child, who, like me, thinks it is his duty to
obey him in everything. Though I feel the greatest
reluctance, I will not fail to ask my wife the favour
thou desirest, but I cannot promise to obtain it for
thee. If I do not come again to pay my respects to
thee, it will be a sign that I have not been able to pro-
cure the pavilion."

Prince Ahmed, having spoken thus, returned in
sorrow to the Fairy Periebanou, who received him
tenderly. When she observed his sorrowful looks, she
urged him to confide in her and tell his grief. The Prince
refused to do so for a long time, until at last the Fairy
pressed him, saying: "Tell me, I pray, the cause of
thine uneasiness, that I may remove it. Verily it must
be most extraordinary if it is beyond my power."

Prince Ahmed could not long withstand the urging
of the Fairy. "O my Queen," he replied, "may Allah
prolong the life of the Sultan my father! I left him in
perfect health, but, alas, he hath discovered our secret
marriage. How he hath been informed I cannot tell."
Here the Fairy interrupted Prince Ahmed, "But I
know," said she. "Remember what I told thee of the
old woman on whom thou didst take compassion.
She was not ill, but was an impostor. But proceed and
tell me what duty thy father hath imposed upon thee
to perform."

"O my Queen," answered Prince Ahmed, "know
that it is not I myself, but the Sultan my father who
desireth of thee a pavilion large enough to shelter him,
his court and his entire army, and which a man may



The Magic Pavilion 239

carry in his hand." "O my Prince," said the Fairy,
"I am sorry that so trifling a matter should disturb
thee. Therefore be easy in thy mind, and rest assured
that the performance of thy request is not only within
my power, but that I take real pleasure in doing what-
ever thou desirest."

The Fairy then summoned her treasurer, to whom
she said: "Noor-Jehaun, bring me the largest pavilion
in my treasury." Noor-Jehaun returned presently
with a pavilion which could be concealed in the palm
of the hand, and presented it to her mistress, who gave
it to Prince Ahmed to examine. When the Prince saw
the smallness of it he thought that the Fairy was jest-
ing with him, and his surprise showed in his counte-
nance; but Periebanou laughed and said: "What! dost
thou think I jest with thee? Thou wilt see that I am
in earnest. Noor-Jehaun," said she to her treasurer,
taking the pavilion out of the hand of Prince Ahmed,
"Go, set this up, that he may judge whether the Sul-
tan his father will think it large enough."

The treasurer went out with the pavilion from the
palace, and, carrying it to a distance, set it down. Im-
mediately it grew and expanded until one end reached
to the palace. The Prince, so far from thinking it too
small now found it large enough to shelter two armies
the size of his father's. "O my Queen," said he,
"verily I ask thy pardon for my unbelief! After what
I have seen I believe that there is nothing impossible
to thee." "Thou seest," said the Fairy, "that the
pavilion is larger than thy father may have occasion
for. But it becometh larger or smaller according to the
extent of the army it is to cover."

The treasurer took down the pavilion again, reduced



240 Story of Prince Ahmed

it to its first size, and placed it in the hands of Prince
Ahmed. He took it, and without further delay,
mounted his horse and bade the Fairy farewell; and,
with the usual attendants, journeyed to the capital of
the Sultan his father, who received him with great
surprise. The Prince placed the pavilion in his hands,
and after he had admired its smallness, the Sultan
commanded that it should be set up on the broad plain
near the palace. Great was his amazement to find it
increase in size until it was big enough to shelter an
army twice as large as he could bring into the field.
Prince Ahmed then informed him that its size would
always be in proportion to his army.

The Sultan expressed in words his gratitude to the
Prince for so noble a gift, desiring him to return his
thanks to the Fairy; but in his heart he felt greater
jealousy than his flatterers and the sorceress had sug-
gested to him. Therefore as soon as Prince Ahmed
had withdrawn from his presence, he sent again for the
sorceress, who advised him to request the Prince to
bring him some of the water from the Fountain of
Lions. In the evening when the Sultan was surrounded,
as usual, by the Emirs, Viziers, and other grandees of
his court, the Prince came to pay his respects before
returning to the abode of the Fairy. "O my son," said
the Sultan, "I have already expressed my thanks for
the present thou hast procured me, which I esteem the
most valuable curiosity in my treasury. But thou
must do one thing more for me. I am informed that
the Fairy thy wife maketh use of a certain water, drawn
from the Fountain of Lions, which cureth all sorts of
fevers. As my health is dear to thee, I do not doubt
but thou wilt ask her for a bottle of that water. Do



The Magic Pavilion 241

me this important service, and complete the duty of a
good son toward a tender father."

Prince Ahmed, who had thought that his father would
not impose any new task upon him which might hazard
the Fairy's displeasure, was thunderstruck at this
request. After a long silence he said: "O my father,
I beg thee to rest assured that there is nothing that I
would not undertake to contribute to thy health. I
cannot, however, promise to bring the water. All I
can do is to request it of my wife; but, alas! I shall do
so with the same reluctance that made me hesitate to
ask for the pavilion."

The next morning Prince Ahmed returned to the
Fairy Periebanou, and related to her all that had passed
at the Sultan's court, and told her of the new request
his father had charged him Vvith. "I am glad," re-
plied the Fairy, "that the Sultan knoweth that thou
art not indifferent to me. I will satisfy him, and what-
ever advice the sorceress giveth him (for I see that he
hearkeneth to her counsel), he shall find no fault with
thee or me. There is much wickedness in this demand,
as thou wilt understand, by what I am about to tell
thee. The Fountain of Lions is situated in the court
of a great castle, the entrance to which is guarded by
four fierce lions; two of them sleep by day and two by
night. But let that not frighten thee. I will supply
thee with the means to pass them without danger."

The Fairy then presented Prince Ahmed with a clue
of thread saying: "First, take this clue. I will presently
tell thee the use of it. In the second place, thou must
have two horses. One thou must ride thyself, the
other thou must lead which must be loaded with a
sheep cut into four quarters. In the third place, thou



242 Story of Prince Ahmed

must be provided with a bottle, which I will give thee,
to bring the water in. Set out early to-morrow morn-
ing, and when thou hast passed the iron door, throw
before thee this clue of thread, which will roll on until
it reaches the gates of the castle. Follow it, and when
it stops the gates will open, and thou wilt see the four
lions. The two that are awake will by their roaring
wake the other two. Be not alarmed, but throw each
of them a quarter of the sheep, then clap spurs to thy
horse and ride to the fountain. Fill the bottle without
alighting, and return with the same expedition. The
lions will be so busy that they will let thee pass un-
molested."

Prince Ahmed set out the next morning at the time
appointed by the Fairy, and following her directions
arrived at the castle. He distributed the quarters of
the sheep among the lions, and, passing through the
midst of them, reached the fountain, filled his bottle
and returned safe. On looking back at the castle he
beheld two of the lions coming after him, and he drew
his sabre to defend himself. But he soon perceived by
the motions of their tails and heads, that they meant
him no harm. One lion went before him, and the other
followed; and guarded in this manner he arrived at the
capital of India, but the lions never left him until they
had conducted him to the gates of the Sultan's palace;
after which they returned the way they had come.

A number of officers came to attend the Prince while
he dismounted, and conduct him to the Sultan who
was at that time conversing with his favourites. The
Prince approached the throne, and laid the bottle at
the Sultan's feet, kissed the rich carpet that covered the
steps of the throne, and rising said: "I have brought



The Magic Pavilion 243

thee, O my father, the water from the Fountain of
Lions, as thou didst desire. And at the same time I
wish thee such health as never to have occasion to make
use of it."

"O my son," answered the Sultan, "I appreciate
this valuable present all the more because of the great
danger to which thou hast exposed thyself. But do
thou," continued he, "inform me by what incredible
power thou hast been preserved." Prince Ahmed then
related his story to the Sultan telling him of the Fairy's
advice and how he had followed it, and thus procured
the water from the Fountain of Lions. When he fin-
ished his tale, the Sultan, who expressed his satisfac-
tion in words but secretly became more and more jeal-
ous, withdrew into his private apartment, and sent
immediately for the sorceress. She, on her arrival,
saved the Sultan the trouble of telling her of the suc-
cess of Prince Ahmed, which she had already heard
about. She was therefore prepared with a new request.
This she communicated to the Sultan, who declared it
the next day to the Prince.

"O my son," said he, "I have one thing yet to ask
of thee after which I shall expect nothing more of thy
obedience. Bring me a man not above a foot and a half
high, whose beard is thirty feet long, who carries upon
his shoulder an iron bar of five hundred weight which
he uses as a quarter-staff." Prince Ahmed, who did
not believe that there was such a man in the world,
would gladly have excused himself, but the Sultan per-
sisted in his demand, and told him that the Fairy could
do incredible things.

Next day the Prince returned to the subterranean
palace of the Fairy Periebanou, to whom he related



244 Story of Prince Ahmed

his father's new demand. "Do not doubt me, O my
Prince!" replied she. "Thou didst run great danger in
fetching the water from the Fountain of Lions, but
there is no danger in finding this man. It is my brother
Schaibar, who is so far from being like me, though we
both had the same father. He is of so violent a dis-
position, that nothing can prevent his giving bloody
marks of his resentment in return for a slight offense;
yet, on the other hand, he is so liberal as to oblige those
he likes in any way they may desire. I will now send for
him, and thou shalt judge of the truth of what I am
telling thee. But prepare thyself not to be alarmed at
his extraordinary figure."

The Fairy ordered a gold chafing-dish to be set with
a fire in it. She then took a box of the same metal,
opened it, and took forth some incense; this she threw
into the fire, and immediately a thick cloud of smoke
rose. A few moments after, the Fairy said to Prince
Ahmed: "There cometh my brother. Dost thou see
him?" The Prince immediately perceived Schaibar,
who was but a foot and a half high, coming gravely,
with his heavy bar upon his shoulder. His beard was
thirty feet long, and a pair of thick moustaches was
tucked over his ears, and almost covered his face. His
eyes were very small, like a pig's, and deeply sunken in
his head, which was of an enormous size, and on which
he wore a pointed cap. Besides all this he had a hump
behind and before. If Prince Ahmed had not known
that Schaibar was Periebanou's brother, he would not
have been able to behold him without fear; but know-
ing who he was, he awaited his approach without the
least concern.

Schaibar as he came forward, looked at the Prince



The Magic Pavilion 245

with an eye that was intended to chill his soul and body,
and asked Periebanou, when he first accosted her, "Who
is that man?" "He is my beloved husband," answered
she, "his name is Ahmed. He is the son of the Sultan
of India. On his account I have taken the liberty of
calling thee." At these words Schaibar, looking at
Prince Ahmed with a favourable eye, said: "Is there
anything, O my sister, wherein I can serve him? He
hath only to speak. It is enough for me that he is thy
husband, to make me do anything he desireth."

"The Sultan his father," answered Periebanou, "hath
a curiosity to see thee, and I desire that Prince Ahmed
may be thy guide to the Sultan's court." "He needeth
but lead the way, and I will follow him," replied Schai-
bar. "It is too late to go to-day," said the Fairy, "and
as it is fitting that thou shouldst know all that has
passed between the Sultan of India and Prince Ahmed
since our marriage, I will relate it to thee this evening."

When the morning arrived, Schaibar, who had been
informed of all that had happened, set out with Prince
Ahmed, who was to present him to the Sultan. They
arrived at the gates of the capital, and the people, as
soon as they saw Schaibar, ran and hid themselves in
their shops and houses, so that Schaibar and Prince
Ahmed found the streets deserted until they came to
the palace, where the doorkeepers, instead of prevent-
ing Schaibar from entering, ran away too. The Prince
and he advanced without any interference to the
judgment-hall, where the Sultan was seated upon his
throne, giving audience to his people. Here likewise
the officers at the approach of Schaibar, abandoned
their posts, and did not prevent his entrance.

Schaibar, carrying his head erect, went fiercely up to



246 Story of Prince Ahmed

the throne, and, without waiting to be presented by
Prince Ahmed, demanded in a terrible voice: "Thou
hast asked for me, what wouldst thou have?" The
Sultan instead of answering, clapped his hands over
his eyes and turned away his head to avoid the sight of
so terrible an object. Schaibar was so provoked at this
rude reception, after he had taken the trouble to come
such a distance, that he instantly lifted up the iron bar,
saying: "Speak!" and then he let it fall on the Sultan's
head and killed him before Prince Ahmed could inter-
cede in his behalf. All the Prince could do was to
prevent his killing the Vizier, who sat near the throne,
by informing Schaibar that he had always given his
father good advice. "These are they, then, who made
him bad," said Schaibar, and as he pronounced these
words, he killed all the flatterers and favourites of the
Sultan, who were Prince Ahmed's enemies. Every
time he let fall his bar he crushed some one, and none
escaped but those who saved themselves by flight.

When this terrible execution was over, Schaibar came
out of the judgment-hall into the courtyard, with the
iron bar upon his shoulder, and, looking at the Vizier
who owed his life to Prince Ahmed, said: "I know there
is here a certain sorceress, who is a great enemy of the
Prince. Let her be brought to me immediately." The
Vizier instantly sent for her, and as soon as she was
brought in, Schaibar knocked her down with his iron
bar, saying: "Take the reward of thy pernicious coun-
sel, and learn to feign sickness again!" and he left her
dead on the spot.

After this he said: "This is not yet enough. I will
treat the whole city in the same manner, if they do not
immediately acknowledge Prince Ahmed as Sultan of



The Magic Pavilion 247

India." Then all present made the air ring with
the repeated acclamations of "Long live the Sultan
Ahmed," and immediately he was proclaimed through-
out the whole city. Schaibar caused him to be clothed
in royal vestments, and installed him upon the throne,
and made all swear homage and fidelity. He then re-
turned to his sister, the Fairy Periebanou, whom he
brought with great pomp, and made her Sultana of
India.

As for Prince AH and Nouronnihar, since they had
no part in the conspiracy, Prince Ahmed assigned them
a large province with its capital, where they spent the
remainder of their lives, Afterward he sent an officer
to Houssain, to acquaint him with all that had hap-
pened, and to offer him any province he might choose to
govern; but Prince Houssain thought himself happy
in his solitude, and desired the officer to return his
thanks to his brother Ahmed, assuring him of his sub-
mission, but saying that his only desire was to be al-
lowed to live his life in the place which he had chosen.

As for Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Periebanou they
continued to dwell together in the utmost joy and hap-
piness, until they were visited by the terminator of
delights and the separator of companions.



Chapter IX

?>

STORY OF THE PRINCESS PERIEZADE

AND THE SPEAKING BIRD, THE

SINGING TREE, AND THE

GOLDEN WATER

THE THREE WISHES

^ ^HERE was a Sultan of Persia named Khosrou-
4> J shah who took great delight in adventures. He
often walked in disguise through the city, and
met with many astonishing experiences. It
happened one night that he clad himself in the
robe of a merchant, and attended by his Vizier,
went forth from his palace, seeking an adventure. As
he passed through a poor street he heard loud talking,
and approaching the house whence the sounds came,
he saw through the open door three sisters seated upon
a couch, conversing together.

"I wish," said the eldest sister, "that I might marry
the Sultan's chief baker, for then I should have all the
white bread I desired. And, now, O my sisters, let me
see if your tastes are as good as mine." "For my part,"
replied the second sister, "I wish I were wife to the
Sultan's chief cook, for then I should always eat the
most delicious food; therefore thou seest, O my sister,
that my taste is better than thine." The youngest

248



The Three Wishes 249

sister, who was very beautiful and had more charms and
wit than the two elder, spoke in her turn. "I wish,

my sisters," said she, "that I might be the Sultan's
consort. I would make him the father of a prince whose
hair should be gold on one side of his head, and silver
on the other. When he cried his tears should be pearls,
and when he smiled his vermilion lips should look like
a rose-bud fresh blown." The Sultan having overheard
their wishes, immediately told his Vizier to take notice
of the house, and bring the three sisters before him on
the following day.

The morning having arrived, the Vizier preceeded
to the house of the damsels, and summoned them to
appear before the Sultan. He conducted them to the
palace, and presented them to the Sultan, who said : "Do
ye remember the wishes ye expressed last night, when
ye were all in so pleasant a mood? Speak the truth."

On hearing these words, the sisters were confounded.
They cast down their eyes, and blushed with confusion,
and the colour that rose in the cheeks of the youngest
captivated the heart of the Sultan. He, perceiving their
confusion and fear, said to them: "Do not be alarmed.

1 know your wishes, and will relieve you from your
fears. As for the damsel who desired to become my
wife, she shall have her wish this day, and these her two
elder sisters shall be married to my chief baker and
chief cook." As soon as the Sultan had said these
words, he gave orders that the marriages should be
celebrated immediately. As for the youngest sister,
he caused her to be clad in magnificent garments, com-
manded the city to be decorated, and the drums to be
beaten, and a great feast to be held. He then performed
the contract of his marriage to her with all pomp and



250 The Princess Periezade

ceremony. As for the two elder sisters he gave them
in marriage to his chief baker and chief cook, and con-
ducted the marriages in accordance with their humble
stations in life.

The elder sisters, when they beheld the grandeur of
their younger sister's marriage feast, were filled with
excessive jealousy. They continued to give themselves
up to this evil passion, until at last they decided to re-
venge themselves by injuring the Sultana. In the mean-
time they pretended to rejoice at her good fortune, and
visited her continually, showing her every mark of af-
fection. The Sultana received them with esteem and
love, and bestowed favours upon them. So matters
continued for some months, when the Sultan went forth
to hunt. And while he was absent from the palace,
there was born to the Sultana a young Prince, as beauti-
ful as the full moon. The wicked sisters wrapped him
in some clothes, and put him in a basket which they
secretly carried to a stream that ran through the royal
park, and they placed the basket in the water, and left
it. They then returned to the palace and laid a little
dog in his cradle. When the Sultan came from the
hunt, the two wicked sisters told him that instead of a
son, there had been born the little dog which they
showed to him. Hearing this the Sultan was filled with
rage and would have ordered the Sultana to be executed
if his Vizier had not persuaded him to permit her to live.

As for the little Prince, the basket which he was in
was carried down the stream, and, as Destiny would
have it, the chief gardener of the royal gardens was
walking by the side of the stream and perceived the
basket floating past. He drew it to land, and on open-
ing it was astonished to see in it a beautiful new-born




The Three Wishes 251

ild. As the gardener had no children, he rejoiced
xceedingly and carried the young Prince to his wife,
saying: "Behold the little one that Allah hath sent us!
Nurse him as though he were our own; and from now
on I will call him my son." The wife received the child
with great joy, and cared for him with tenderness.

The following year, when the Sultan was again ab-
sent at the hunt, there was born to the Sultana another
beautiful Prince. As soon as the wicked sisters beheld
him, they placed him in a basket, and set him adrift
upon the stream, and put in his cradle a yellow cat.
When the Sultan returned and saw the cat, he would
have executed his wife immediately if the Vizier's re-
monstrances had not prevailed. As before the gardener
was walking by the stream, and finding the Little Prince
took him to his wife, and charged her to take care of
him as if he were their son.

Now some months after this there was born to the
Sultana a lovely Princess whom the wicked sisters set
adrift upon the water, and whom the gardener rescued
as he had her two brothers. This time the evil women
placed a mouse in the cradle, and when the Sultan saw
it, he was so enraged that he caused the Sultana to be
imprisoned in a wooden cage, and hung on the wall of
the palace, where she would be exposed to the insults and
contempt of the populace. She bore the punishment
which she did not deserve with such a patient resigna-
tion that she aroused the compassion of all observers.

As for the two Princes and the Princess, they were
cared for tenderly by the gardener and his wife, and as
they grew older they showed marks of superior dignity
which distinguished them from common children.
The eldest Prince was called Bahman; the second,



252 The Princess Periezade

Perviz; and the Princess, Periezade. The gardener,
perceiving that they were remarkable children, pro-
vided instructors for them, and caused them to be
taught the arts and sciences and polite literature.
The Princes became accomplished horsemen; and the
Princess received lessons in music, and learned to sing
and play upon all sorts of instruments. The brothers
and sister made such wonderful progress that their
instructors were amazed, and soon confessed they
could teach them no more. The gardener was so de-
lighted to find his adopted children accomplished and
perfect in body and mind, that he resolved to do still
more for them. As he had considerable wealth, he
built for them a magnificent house, situated in a large
park, and he spared no expense in furnishing the man-
sion and beautifying the park. His wife dying, he
retired with his children to this fine residence, and con-
tinued to live there in joy and happiness for some time.
When the two Princes reached the age of manhood, the