Chapter VI: Part V: The Magic Hairs (1)

No sooner was the gardener gone than the prince took the hairs given him by the princess and rubbed them together. Immediately a slave appeared and asked, “What are thy commands, O prince?”

“Bring me a fine horse, a fine suit of clothes, and a set of weapons,” was the answer.

In another moment the slave brought all that had been commanded, and assisted the young man to dress and mount his horse. After this the prince rode all about the garden, trampling upon and destroying the plants. As he rode he glanced toward the palace and rejoiced to see that the three princesses were there and that he was recognized by them. He then gave the horse, clothes, and weapons to the slave and retired to a corner of the garden.

When the gardener returned—what should he see! The beautiful garden nearly in ruins, and the bald-headed assistant weeping in a corner. He began beating him, but the maidens called from a window: “Do not beat the lad! Verily, a rider from without came and destroyed the plants. Thy assistant is not to blame.”

After a few days the gardener again went away, and left the boy in charge of the place. The second time he called for a horse, destroyed many things which had escaped before, then sat down and awaited the return of the gardener. The maidens had fully recognized him this time. They rejoiced that the good prince had returned to the face of the earth, but, not knowing his plans, they bided his time and said nothing.

The gardener returned shortly, and was so greatly incensed at what he saw that he was about to chastise his assistant severely, when the maidens called commanding him to cease. A third time was the young prince left alone, and a third time did he despoil the garden—this time so grievously that not a branch was left. When the gardener returned he found nothing growing. Taking hold of the youth, he threw him without the gate.

Now, the prince was desirous of learning about the affairs of the kingdom. He had found that his brothers had not the courage to challenge one who appeared and behaved disrespectfully unto their father, the king. He went therefore to a jeweler and requested to be taken as an apprentice. The jeweler had no need of an assistant, but as the lad asked that he be permitted even to carry his coals, he was accepted.

Now, when the maidens had been brought unto the palace the king commanded that the first two prepare for their wedding. They, however, begged to be allowed forty days in which to prepare. When they had recognized the good prince they hoped for release, and, to assure themselves that he was upon the earth continually, they asked many things which none but he would have power to grant. One wanted a golden shuttle and a golden needle which would make lace without hands. The second asked for a golden tray, upon which must be a golden hen with forty golden chickens and all eating golden grains of barley. The third demanded a golden tray around which a golden rabbit and a golden hare were chasing each other.

Now, the wicked princes, believing that they had destroyed their brother, desired that the people might become dissatisfied with their father’s rule; so they pressed him to fulfill the requests of the princesses. The king did according to their desire; for he was very sad at heart and had no wish to live longer. Therefore he summoned all the jewelers of his kingdom and commanded that they execute the three orders. The jewelers, after consulting together, begged that they be granted forty days of grace. This request was granted by the king, who threatened certain death to all of them if, upon the fortieth day, his demands were not fulfilled. Thereupon, very much cast down in spirit, the jewelers were permitted to return to their homes.

The apprentice prince, seeing his master in this state, asked the cause of his anxiety. The master answered him roughly; but, as the youth persisted, he replied that the king’s sons had rescued three princesses, each of whom demanded a special article made of gold, before the two who were designed for them in marriage would consent to the nuptials. When asked to describe the articles, and after he had done so, the apprentice cried: “My master, I thought it had been some impossible thing that was required of thee. Trouble thyself no longer. Furnish me with a bag of nuts for food, another of raisins, and with forty candles. Thou shalt have these curious articles upon the morning of the fortieth day. Fear not!”

“Since the boy craves nuts and raisins,” said the master to himself, “I will permit him to have them. For myself, I shall need nothing long.”

The prince shut himself into a room, ate the nuts and raisins, burned his candles, and enjoyed himself. He was learning much about the kingdom and his brothers. Upon the fortieth night he rubbed the magic hairs which the maiden had given him, and commanded the slave, who appeared, to bring the articles demanded by the three princesses. They were brought and placed within a carved casket which stood in the room.

At early morning the jeweler appeared. He was pale with fear as he demanded how the boy had spent his time. “Why dost thou ask? My answer lies hidden within the casket.”

With trembling hands the master opened the casket, and was so overpowered at what he saw that he fell upon the apprentice’s neck in a swoon. When he had revived, he hastened to the palace and spread the precious creations before the king. Then were the three maidens very happy, for they knew that the good prince was not only upon the face of the earth, but that he possessed great power.

When the jeweler returned to the shop he was grieved because the apprentice requested his freedom, and would not be persuaded to remain. “Have I not saved thy life and the lives of thy fellow craftsmen? And wilt thou refuse me freedom?” asked the young man. So the jeweler permitted him to depart.

Then the prince went directly to the shop of a tailor, and again asked that he might serve an apprenticeship; and, although the tailor had no need of help, he refused to be turned away. This he did because he had heard of another request made by the maidens. They desired to gain more time and had asked for three robes, which had not been cut with scissors, nor sewn by needles; and each of which should be brought them in a filbert shell.

The king felt that he was in the power of some strange evil. At the urgent request of his sons he summoned the tailors of the kingdom and gave them the command. Now, the tailors had trembled greatly when they learned what had been required of the jewelers. They felt assured that not one of them could fulfill the imperial order; nevertheless, since they wished to live as long as possible, they asked for forty days in which to prepare the three robes. “Very well,” replied their sovereign, “but if my command is not obeyed, upon the forty-first day you all shall lose your heads.”

When the master of the prince returned, in great dejection, to his shop, the new apprentice asked the cause of his anxiety. “Do not vex me!” was the impatient answer. But, as the day wore on, the prince learned the cause of his master’s hopelessness. “Is that anything to trouble thee?” asked the youth. “Give to me forty bags of nuts, forty bags of raisins, and forty candles. Upon the forty-first day thou shalt have what thou desirest.” The tailor, because he did not like to grieve a lad who showed so much interest, gave to him all that he had asked. The prince shut himself up as beforehand, and upon the fortieth night bade the slave, whom he had summoned with the magic hairs, to bring the three robes and place them within a brazen casket upon the table. When morning came the tailor, without experiencing any degree of hope, came to the door and asked what had been accomplished. The apprentice desired him to open the casket and behold the fulfillment of his promise. The tailor was overjoyed, and hastened to the palace; whereupon the king at once gave order that the wedding festivities should begin.

A tournament of javelin throwing was arranged to take place upon the running grounds, in which, upon the first day, the eldest prince was to show his skill. The whole city turned out to witness the spectacle; and the grateful tailor said to his apprentice, “Come, let us go together and see the eldest prince play Zerid.” But the youth objected on account of his baldness; saying that he feared something might hit him accidentally and hinder the healing of the sores.

So the tailor left him alone in the shop. The prince then summoned the slave of the magic hairs and commanded that a tall black horse, a set of javelins, and a black suit of clothes be brought him. This was done immediately. The prince cast off his hateful headdress, arrayed himself in the handsome clothing, mounted his horse, and rode to the place of tournament, where the eldest son of the king was playing. It was easy to recognize his brother. Riding directly to him, the newcomer challenged to single combat, and, with a wonderful throw, so wounded him in the arm that he fell off his horse. In the confusion which followed, the victor returned to the shop of the tailor, gave back the horse, the javelins, and the clothing, sent the slave to his place under the earth, and sat down to await the coming of his master.

When the tailor appeared he cried: “O, my son! It is well that thou didst not go with me to-day.” Then he sat down and related all that had passed. But, during the relation, the prince learned that there was a great uprising planned against the king, and that the son of the grand vizier was to murder the two princes and take the throne. This had all come about through the restlessness of the people, which had been caused by the long unkindness of the king’s sons.

The next day, when the second son of the king was to rule the tournament, the tailor again took his departure. His apprentice instantly summoned the slave of the magic hairs, and ordered a yellow horse, a suit made from cloth of gold, and a set of gold-mounted javelins. When these were furnished him he rode to the place of tournament, and dismounted his second brother by wounding him in the leg; after which he returned quickly to the shop, resumed his former appearance, and sat down to await the coming of his master. When the tailor returned, and related the events of the day, the apprentice praised Allah that he had not accompanied him.

Now, upon the third day was the son of the grand vizier to rule the exhibition of skill. So the prince was exceedingly anxious to see his master depart. When the tailor was once out of sight, a white horse and a silver-embroidered suit with silver-mounted javelins were ordered from the slave of the magic hairs. When these arrived the prince made haste to array himself and to depart, as before, to the running ground. The grand vizier’s son was challenged, and with rare skill he was run through the heart and killed.

This time the victor did not disappear, as he had done upon each of the previous days, but continued to ride about openly, until he was arrested and dragged before the king. Before his entrance there the king had given orders that the murderer should have his head stricken off. As the prince approached the throne he said: “O, most noble and gracious sovereign! My brothers abandoned me in the well; the son of the grand vizier plotted against thy most precious life; and wilt thou now kill me, thy faithful son?”

When the king knew indeed that it was the son whom he had so deeply mourned, he was overjoyed. Falling upon the neck of the young prince, he wept and asked: “My son, what dost thou desire? Shall I command the death of thy two brothers?” But the young man was as noble when victory crowned him as when the bitterness of defeat had taxed his powers. He answered: “My father, since I am so happy as to find thee still unharmed, let us say, Allah be praised! Allah’s will be done! But do thou, I pray thee, give a palace, far away from thine own, unto each of my brothers; command that the elder be married to the first princess, the second to the second princess; then do thou graciously permit me to marry the youngest, whom I deeply love and through whom it has been possible for me thus to rescue thee and preserve unto thee thy kingdom.”

So it all came about as the brave young prince had requested. The two brothers were given palaces at a distance from that of the king; there was feasting and rejoicing upon the part of all the people during forty days; after which the youngest son of the king was married to the most beautiful princess and lived happily ever afterward.

Here endeth this story, with Salaam! which meaneth peace.

THE STORY OF THE BEAUTIFUL GIRL WHO HAD HER WISH

The teller of tales says that, once upon a time, there lived a woman whose only child was a daughter, so beautiful that, of all who saw her, not one had ever beheld her equal. And this daughter not only was fair to look upon, she was gentle and kind to everyone and very loving and obedient to her mother. Indeed, there seemed to be nothing wanting to the happiness of these two.

Her mother had taught the young girl to weave the most delicate lace, and during some portion of every day she sat in her own room and carefully wrought out the pattern. Late one afternoon, as she was engaged thus, a bird flew in at the window. This did not seem strange to one with whom the birds were so friendly that every day they came to eat from her hand. But as she looked upon this little visitor, he seemed unlike those that came to her daily.

Lowering his head three times, he opened his bill and spoke to her. The words that he said were very terrible: “Gentle maiden,” quoth the bird, “during forty nights shalt thou keep watch beside a corpse. After that it shall happen to thee according to thy strongest wish.”

The young girl was so surprised and alarmed that she could not command her tongue to ask the bird why this must come to her. Before she became calm the bird had flown.

Now, because the girl loved her mother very deeply, she delayed to speak of this strange matter. At night she went to bed and slept, and when morning came, took up her accustomed duties. At the approach of evening the strange bird came again, spoke as before, and flew away.

Sick at heart, the poor girl ran to her mother and confided all that had passed. The mother, greatly alarmed, questioned her daughter closely. “Dost thou fear another visit from the bird, my child?”

“Twice has he come to me. He will surely come once more. Thou knowest well, my mother, that one who has a second warning surely must receive a third.”

“Ai, my daughter!” exclaimed the mother. “And at what time will the bird visit thee?”

“To-morrow, toward evening,” answered the girl.

Accordingly, when the shadows lengthened upon the morrow, the mother hid herself in a closet at one end of her daughter’s room. At the expected time, while the girl sat working upon her lace, the same bird entered, lowered his head three times, and spoke the same words—with this slight difference, that he addressed the maiden as sultana.

After the words were spoken, the bird turned to the window and was soon beyond sight.

The poor mother had overheard all. As the two flew to embrace each other the mother cried: “Ai, my daughter, let us fly! Let us try to escape from the power of this cruel bird.”

And the girl answered, “Let us fly together, mother, come what will!”

They made haste to gather those goods which were light in weight but heavy in worth; after which they closed the doors of their home and set forth, with all speed, upon a journey which they well knew must be perilous.

They rested but little, one of them always keeping watch. After several days of travel they came to a magnificent palace. Hastening to its walls, they sat down in the shadow and considered what they would better do next. Being weary, they lay down in a hidden spot, and although the mother was firm in her will to remain awake, a strange power took hold upon her that she could not resist. Sleep closed her eyes. She became unconscious.

Upon this the strange bird again made its appearance, and, although it seemed not larger than an ordinary songster, it possessed such strength as to lift the sleeping girl. Gently it bore her over the wall and into a room of the palace, where it laid her upon a beautiful golden divan.

Almost immediately the sleeper opened her eyes, and discovered that she was separated from her mother and within the palace. She arose and looked about her. Lying upon a bier in the middle of the room, under a white, transparent covering, was a corpse.

When her eyes fell upon this the poor girl nearly went out of her senses for terror, and exclaimed: “Evil is upon me! That which the bird foretold was, indeed, very truth.”

Then she sought eagerly to find a way out, in order that she might bring her mother within. The rooms of the palace were very large and magnificent; but no person could be found in them. And whenever she entered one of them and hastened to another door, she found herself, as if by magic, in the one where had been her awakening and beside the stately bier.

Hour after hour she struggled. Every trial ended with the same experience. She found herself, again and again, in the lonely room with only the body upon the bier for company. At last she was exhausted, and began to understand that escape was impossible—that some mighty power had torn her from her beloved mother. In the hope that obedience to fate would make her sentence lighter, she said: “I will bear whatever is allotted to me. Afterward, if Allah will, it may be for the best.”

Let the girl remain here while we return to the mother.

Morning came, and, the strange influence having spent itself, the woman awakened. Turning toward the place where she had last seen her beloved daughter, she reached out her arms for an embrace. But they were empty. The alarmed woman made haste to seek all about the hiding place, in the vain hope that the girl had gone to look about them. But no trace of her child could be found—no footprint in the soft earth, no portion of her clothing.

When this became real to the seeker, her heart was crushed with fear. “Alas!” she cried, “in rescuing my beloved one from the bird I have lost her unto myself!”

Thereupon, with grief so heavy that she was many days in journeying the distance over which they two had sped so swiftly, she returned to her own home, went into mourning for the daughter whom she believed dead, and awaited whatever might be ordered unto herself.

Now let us return to the girl.

During the long nights that followed she slept not, but kept her dreary watch beside the bier. In some mysterious manner, fresh food appeared every morning upon a golden salver, and whatever remained from the previous day was spirited away. Although the girl endeavored to discover this change, she was unable to do so.

At first, by means of a bit of charred wood which she found upon the floor, she kept the strictest account of the days as they passed. With this she made a mark upon the marble for each day. But as they wore by she forgot to number them. Dreary monotony made her spiritless.

Now, in front of the palace flowed the sea. One window of the room was directly over that portion of the castle walls which were washed by the waves. Long before sunrise, one morning, as the maiden sat beside this window, looking out with heavy eyes, a ship appeared. It came from the direction of Iram. When it was directly before the palace the girl made a sign with her hand. The captain lowered a boat which came to the walls of the palace.

The air was very still, and the voice of the young girl, though not loud, was clear. “Bring me a beautiful slave girl,” she said, “and I will give you these ten thousand piasters.”

The boat returned to the ship. Very soon it came back. In it was another person. The watcher saw that it was a young girl, like herself. Overjoyed, she let down a rope, made from the silken coverings of the divan. At the end of this rope she had fastened the money.

When the men had secured the gold they tied the rope about the body of the slave girl, and with great difficulty she was drawn up far enough to enable her to climb within. Her young mistress greeted her with kindness, and, because of her joy, took the string of gold coins from her own neck and fastened them around the neck of the newcomer. And she said, “Thanks be to Allah! I have found a companion.”

The slave girl had been cruelly treated by the captain of the ship. But she did not tell her mistress that she was glad to be rescued.

Now, the fortieth night was completed, though the young girl knew not that it was so. After she and the slave had both bathed in an inner chamber, and after they had eaten of the delicate food upon the golden salver, the mistress said to her slave: “Now, do thou watch here a little, while I go to walk through the rooms of the palace. After my return thou canst do likewise.”

Thereupon she went out; and had barely gone when the body upon the bier returned to life. It was that of a young man, very tall and worthy to be looked upon. He threw off the covering, and disclosed the embroidered garments of royalty. He stretched out his hands and opened his eyes. They fell upon the slave girl. After his long torpor she seemed beautiful to him. And the gold coins about her neck were not such as one sees upon a slave.

“Maiden,” he asked, “was it thou who watched beside me through the forty nights?”

“Yes,” answered the slave; “for forty nights have I watched beside thee.”

Now, it so chanced that the person who had been lying upon the bier was a young prince. And before the evil spell was cast upon him by an enemy of his father, he had made a vow, saying, “Whoso watches by me during the forty days of my enchantment, her will I marry immediately upon waking.”

It was because of this vow that he asked the question. And because within his heart he had felt another presence, he called the slave to him and asked whether any other beside herself had been there.

The slave was very quick-witted. She was scheming and wicked of heart. In a moment she knew all that the question might mean to her. Forgetting the kindness of her young mistress in redeeming her from the cruel captain and in making of her a beloved companion, rather than a slave, she quickly made this answer:

“There is my slave girl, whom I bought with much money. Only these gold pieces about my neck have I saved. She is now in another room.”

Then the prince took her by the hand and said, “Before Allah do I take thee for my wife.” And he kissed her upon the cheek.

As these words were spoken there came the sound of light footsteps. The young mistress entered.

“Come, girl!” arrogantly called the slave. “Thy master, my husband, hath wakened. He calleth for thy service. Hasten to do his bidding!”

The gentle maiden saw that matters were not as they had been when she began her promenade through the great rooms. But, being obedient of heart, she said to herself: “This, too, comes from Allah. It must be borne patiently.”

At the first opportunity she made haste to count the marks upon the marble which she had made every day with the bit of charcoal. They numbered forty. Then she felt that there was no hope for her, and meekly put herself in the place of her own slave, doing every service that was required of her. The real slave was bitterly cruel, and asked the most menial offices of this beautiful girl, although upon the full awakening of the prince the palace had become filled with the usual number of servants.

A little time later on the prince said to the one whom he had taken for his wife: “I am going on a long journey. What is thy wish that I bring thee?”

“Bring me a hundred diamonds and one hundred turquoises,” said the woman.

Then the prince turned to her whom his wife called slave. “And what wouldst thou have, my child?” he asked.

“If it be thy gracious pleasure,” came the low answer, “I would beg thee to bring me a patience stone.”

“A patience stone!” sneered the other. “The prince will never remember that.”

Then the young girl turned to the slave mistress. “Should he permit himself to forget this simple request of one who serves you both faithfully,” was her answer, “may a cloud, black as pitch, form in front of his ship, so that the way of return cannot be seen. And behind them may the sky remain clear!”

The prince was not a little surprised at all this. He had taken note of the perfect manner of the one whom his wife called slave, and had compared the two. But, without comment, he made his adieus and set forth upon his journey toward Yemen.

After his arrival there months passed, while he attended to matters of state. When the time came that he could return, he purchased all that his wife had ordered. So many things had occurred that it was not strange that he should forget the servant’s commission.

While the ship was upon her homeward journey, suddenly it became dark as pitch before the vessel, while behind it the skies were quite clear. This made it impossible to navigate the ship. Fear came upon everyone.

Thereupon the captain summoned all who were on board. “If there be anyone among you,” he said, solemnly, “who has forgotten a promise or forgotten a vow, let him stand forth!”

When the prince heard this command, he remembered the commission of his wife’s servant and her low-spoken prediction, when the scornful words had been uttered. He believed that the danger had come upon them because of those words.

To the great surprise of all, their prince stepped forward. “I am the one in fault,” he said. “This evil has come upon us because I have broken a promise made to a slave. Turn the ship about. Let us return to port, while I fulfill that which became a duty as soon as I had given my word.”

Immediately upon the ship’s turning, the cloud began to follow them. Soon they were back at Yemen, where the prince made haste to purchase the patience stone. Afterward, by the grace of Allah (the Just One) the ship flew so fast on its homeward voyage that it seemed like a bird, and the palace was reached in an incredibly short space of time.

When the prince entered the palace, his wife, followed by her servant, came down the broad staircase to meet him. Afterward they escorted him up the stairs and into the pleasantest room of the castle. The wife asked eagerly for the precious gems, and was wild with delight when they were spread before her.

“Come, hither, slave!” she commanded, “and deck thy mistress in a manner fitting to her station!”

The young girl obeyed without a murmur, although her heart was very sore. When the task was finished, and the vain and wicked one sat before a polished steel mirror admiring herself, the seeming slave turned to the prince.

“My gracious master,” she said, very gently, “is it permitted me to ask if thou rememberedst my humble request?”

The prince then delivered the stone, which was received with becoming gratitude. “May Allah bless thee!” were her words.

Now, the only room in the entire palace which was at all mean had been given to her, and everything that could add to her comfort had been removed by command of her mistress. When the night came on she went to this room and sat down to deliberate.

Grief at the loss of her mother tore her heart. The injustice of her own slave was more than she could endure longer. It seemed as if Allah, in whom she had hoped, must have forgotten her. Tears fell from her beautiful eyes and sighs shook her frame. Long she sat there after the hour for retiring.

When the palace became still and the prince was in his bed, he bethought him of his wife’s supposed slave and wondered what she would do with the patience stone. There was a mystery about her which he fain would solve. More than once had he checked his wife in her heavy demands upon the frail young girl; more than once had he been stirred with the thought that she and not the one he had married should be the princess. So, after his wife had fallen asleep, he arose lightly and went to the door of the servant’s room, taking with him his faithful Ahmed to bear witness to what he should discover.

The gift, that had been brought her, was about the size of a pea. As the prince came to the door he saw the young girl wash the stone with her tears. Afterward she placed it upon the broken table before her and thus addressed it:

“Ai, patience stone! I was my mother’s only and precious child. One day, as I, innocent and happy in her affection, sat in my room weaving the lace that she had taught me to make, a bird came through the window and spoke to me, saying: ‘During forty days shalt thou keep watch beside a corpse. But upon the morning of the fortieth day it shall happen to thee according to thy strongest desire.’

“The bird appeared to me three days and uttered the same message. Upon the third day my mother, concealed within a closet, heard all that was said. She, as well as I, was terrified. She determined to save me by flight. But, while we slept, some mysterious power took me from her side and placed me in this palace.

“I have not seen my mother since, and do not know whether she is dead from the grief of our separation. As for myself, during forty days and nights I watched beside the bier of this prince who is now my master. Hadst thou been in my place, O stone! couldst thou have been utterly patient?”

As she thus spoke, the patience stone began to swell with sympathy. As it did so, it whispered, “Bravo! bravo!”

“With the first streak of light upon the fortieth morning,” continued the speaker, “a ship passed the palace. Loneliness was heavy upon me. I signaled it and asked that I might buy a slave girl. For her I offered ten thousand piasters of the money my mother had put upon me.

“They sent me this slave who is now my mistress. I received her gladly. I kissed her and put my own gold coins about her neck. I was kind to her and felt that it was good to have companionship other than a stiff and silent corpse.

“When the morning had fully dawned I, being restless, left my slave to watch for a little while beside the bier while I wandered through the beautiful rooms of the palace.

“Scarcely had I left his presence, when the spell was broken and the noble prince was restored to life. I returned to find that he had made my slave his princess. Immediately upon my return this false princess spoke roughly to me, calling out that I was her slave.

“Since then she has required bitter things of me. Often in the absence of the prince she beats me. Now she threatens my life. O, thou wise stone, couldst thou have had patience to endure all this?”

When this pitiful question was sobbed forth, the patience stone cried “Bravo!” once again, then it burst into a thousand pieces.

“O, patience stone,” cried the girl, “if thou couldst not bear this that has been put upon me, how can I longer do so? Let me rather hang myself, before my cruel slave mistress tortures me to death.”

Thereupon she took her sash, wound it about her throat, stepped upon a wretched stool, and threw the other end of the sash over a beam in the roof. She was upon the point of being strangled when the prince and his faithful Ahmed broke into the room, caught her in their arms, and brought her to the floor.

“Ah, my sultana!” said the prince, very tenderly, “so it was thou who watched beside me during those bitter days! Why hast thou kept this long silence?”

“Because I believed in Allah,” was the reply. “If he so willed my life, I must not try to change it But I was unable longer to bear it.”

“Henceforth art thou my beloved,” said the prince. And he kissed her three times upon the forehead. “This other, who won thy place through falsehood, shall receive her just deserts.”

He then conducted the real sultana from the wretched room into a most beautiful chamber, seated her upon a divan rich with cloth of gold, then commanded very tenderly—for his heart was touched with her suffering, “Remain here, my beloved, until I return to thee.”

He then went to the bedside of the false one, struck her with his stick, and called fiercely: “Haste thee! Arise to receive thy just punishment for the evil which thou hast brought upon thy innocent mistress.”

The slave fell upon her face before him and besought his pardon. But he would not listen. “Wilt thou have forty blows or shall forty crows be summoned to bear thee out into the night?” he demanded.

“O!” cried she, “let the forty blows fall upon the heads of my enemies! I ask that forty crows come. Perchance they will bear me back to my home.”

Thereupon, at the prince’s command, slaves brought a basket, lifted and placed her within it, then opened a window overlooking the sea. Forty giant crows came, seized upon the basket with their beaks, and flew so far away that neither the prince nor his beautiful sultana ever heard of her again.

Then the young girl, who had been rescued from death by the prince, begged that messengers be sent to relate her good fortune to her mother—if haply she were yet alive—and that a camel might also be taken to fetch her to their marriage feast.

This request was readily granted. And the mother, who had mourned her daughter as dead, came hastily and with joy to greet her again. The wedding feast lasted forty days and forty nights. Throughout it all everything happened according to the wish of the kind and beautiful girl. Salaam!

THE STORY OF THE BEAUTIFUL ONE WHO DID NOT HAVE HER DESIRE

The narrator of tales relates that, once upon a time, there lived a man and his wife who were so poor that they had no home. So the woman begged of her husband to seek a place for her in the bamam, or bath house. Now, the bamam was a large building, with many rooms. When the bamamjy, or keeper, had listened to the tale of the poor man he answered: “There will be room for your wife to-morrow. Let her come then.”

The husband returned with joy, and, on the morrow, accompanied his wife to the bamam, where the keeper made her quite welcome. In a few days there was born to the poor woman a little girl child, who was like a ray of light for beauty and sweetness. As the mother sat gazing upon her child, the wall of the bamam opened and three dervishes made their appearance. Gifts were in their hands of those things that would add to the woman’s comfort.

The first dervish approached with a great roll of very soft clothing. “Thou shalt name this child,” said the dervish, “The Beautiful One Who Does Not Obtain Her Desire.” Thereupon he withdrew, and the second dervish came near, with a gift of sweet perfumes and ointments, and said: “Whenever water shall touch the crown of this child’s head, it shall turn into pieces of gold and roll to the ground. Roses shall fall from about her cheeks whenever she laughs; and if, unhappily, she shall weep, the tears will become pearls. When she is grown strong enough to walk upon the earth, green grass shall spring up in her footsteps.”

Having spoken thus, the second dervish disappeared. The third then drew near. His present consisted of a bracelet of gold. “Let this,” said the third dervish, “be fastened about her arm. And if thou wouldst keep thy child alive, then must thou guard well this amulet; for as long as it remains upon her arm she shall live, but when once it is removed, then death shall claim her.” Thus saying, the third dervish disappeared, as had the others, and the walls of the bamam became as if they had not been opened.

When the mother had recovered from her astonishment, she fastened the amulet upon the infant’s arm; after which she began to bathe the little one. All went as is usual, until she poured water from the basin upon the child’s head, when, as the second dervish had predicted, the water turned into gold pieces and fell to the ground in a shower.

The mother gathered the money and hid it; after which she made haste to dress her child. When the little one had fallen asleep she called the keeper of the bamam, and, giving him a handful of the coins, bade him send for her husband. The keeper was surprised at receiving such an amount from one who had seemed so poor, but, being a wise man, he asked no questions and did as he had been requested.

When the husband came he greeted his wife and their newborn beautiful infant; after which his wife told him of the visit from the three dervishes and the wonderful things they had each foretold. The poor man was nearly beside himself for joy that now he would be able fitly to provide for his beloved little family. Tenderly he lifted the child in his arms, and together they two set out to seek an abiding place.

They ordered a fine large house built and completely furnished. Back of the house they caused a beautiful garden to be planted. In the middle of this garden the fortunate parents ordered a kiosk builded; and when it was finished they called the goldsmith and bade him cover it with gold. This he did; and when the work was completed, its beauty could not be described, it was so great. Thus did these happy parents prepare a worthy place for the child whose coming had brought them such great and good fortune.

The kiosk was made the immediate dwelling place of the little one, who was guarded most tenderly. And, as the years went by, it continued unto them as the second dervish had said; until they grew to possess such wealth that they lost all idea of its value.

Time came and went until fifteen years had passed; and never in all the world had there been so beautiful a blue-eyed, golden-haired, rosy-cheeked damsel. To one who looked at her, it was as if a sun had arisen.

We will now leave these people and go far away, unto the son of the king at Yemen.

It must have been that Allah intended the beautiful girl to be the wife of the young prince; for, one night, a dream was sent to him in which she appeared. He was told her name, her father’s name, and the exact country in which was her dwelling. So very real was her presence and so clear the picture of her home that, upon waking, his heart was torn with sorrow that it was only a dream. He called for a piece of parchment and made a chart of the way through which they must pass who should go to bring her unto him.

When the morning dawned, the young prince went directly to his queen mother and, coming to speech, said: “My honored mother, may Allah give happiness unto you! Last night, whether sleeping or waking, I know not, but a marvelous vision passed before my eyes. I am so haunted with the memory of it that life will be unto me as nothing, if thou do not realize my vision unto me.”

To which the queen made reply: “What is this that thou askest of me, O, my son! Well thou knowest that my heart is as thine, when the happiness of my child is concerned. Speak! Relate unto me the vision. Then ask what thou wilt, and, if Allah forbid not, it shall be done for thee.”

“O, mother!” the young man responded, “in a certain garden is a kiosk. It is covered with beaten gold. But, beautiful as is the casket, much more beautiful is the treasure for which it was created. The kiosk have I seen; and the way unto it so plainly was shown to me, that I have here a chart of that way—even of the waters, which lead unto it.”

“And what does the casket contain that can be worthy of such magnificence, and worthy thus to disturb the peace of my son?”

“Within this kiosk, O, my mother, there dwelleth a maiden who is innocent, gracious, pure, and altogether charming. So innocent is she that, at her smile, roses form beside her cheeks and fall about her; so gracious is she that when water is poured upon her head, it turns into golden coins, with which can be done beneficent things; so pure is she that when, perchance through grief at another’s woe, she may be caused to weep, the tears change to pearls as they fall to the ground; and so charming is her presence that, wherever she may walk—even upon the most barren earth—soft grasses spring up to kiss her feet.”

When he had spoken thus the queen replied: “It is well, O, my son, that thy beginning is as one who telleth a dream. For this that thou relatest to me is an impossible thing. There is no golden kiosk; there can be no maiden with this remarkable power.”

Then was the young man grieved as he answered: “And is it thus that my mother turns aside that which concerns my life or my death? Since thou wilt not believe me, then inquire of others. If it be false unto them all, then let it be false unto thee!”

The love which this mother felt for her son and her grief at his sorrow, caused her to send for the public criers—who are, also, the newsmongers of that country. As these passed before the queen, the prince caused that each one should be questioned as to whether, in all the countries he knew, there were such a garden in which dwelt so good and charming a maiden.

Each crier was astonished at so strange a question, until one came who knew of the garden, the golden kiosk, and the charming maiden. Prostrating himself before the royal personages, he made this answer: “True it is, O prince, that there is such a place and that such a being really exists. The outside of the garden do I know well. But the walls are high and difficult to scale. One day, however, when I was without, the gates were opened to permit the entrance of a visitor; and the maiden of whom thou speakest walked before the golden kiosk that stands beside a fountain in the middle of the garden. And, between the opening and the closing of the gate, it was permitted that I should witness the wonders of which thou questionest.”

Neither the prince nor his mother had further doubts concerning the truth of the vision.

“Honored mother!” the prince entreated, “if thou really dost love me as thou sayest, then permit me to beg that, with thy slaves and guard, thou shouldst embark upon the morrow and seek out this maiden. If these things be really true of her, and if she be willing, engage her to me and cause that she return with thee.”

Upon the morrow the mother set out to fulfill the request of her son. The way was long, and several months passed before the ship reached the far-distant country. After disembarking she, with her attendants, entered the city and asked the way. It was pointed out to them. They went to the house and knocked at the door. It was opened, and they were permitted to enter.

The queen was invited into the garden, where, very often, the guests were received. Here her eyes discovered the golden kiosk. She, also, was so fortunate as to find the parents, together with their daughter, whom she was seeking.

After sitting down, they all conversed courteously; and the visitor was more than delighted with the presence and manner of the young girl. But her real object was to test the truth of those qualities which were ascribed to her. Accordingly she said, “Verily, my child, it will trouble you greatly, but I am wearied with my long journey and would be gratified if you would bring a glass of water, with which to quench my thirst.”

Then the maiden graciously arose and hastened to bring water unto this guest from a far country. And everywhere that her light feet touched the earth, soft grass sprang up. This caused astonishment and delight in the mind of the queen, who took the cup when it was presented to her and, as the young hostess made obeisance in its presentation, contrived to spill a few drops of the water upon the beautiful bowed head.

The drops immediately rolled off as gold pieces. At this the queen—as if in a paroxysm of weariness—caught the girl by the wrist and held so tightly that her nails entered the soft flesh. Although no cry came from the sweet lips, tears were forced to form in her eyes. These tears afterward dropped upon the ground in exquisite pearls.

Then the visitor seemed to recover herself and related a story of her adventures while on the way thither. The tale was so amusing that the young girl began to smile. At which instant a rose appeared near each exquisite cheek and dropped upon the rug on which the visitor sat.

There was now no longer any doubt in the mind of the queen. The object of her journey had been gained. She therefore discovered her rank to the parents; after which she said to them: “Verily, we have heard of the beautiful qualities of this, your daughter. By the will of Allah, and according to the law of the Prophet, I would marry her unto my son, the prince. What is your will concerning this?”

Then were the parents greatly astonished and pleased. The mother, coming to speech, made this reply: “O, my queen! we will not refuse our daughter to such as you. Your orders are upon our heads. And may Allah graciously give his blessing!”

Then the queen engaged the daughter unto her son; after which she gave direction, saying: “With the half of my slaves and the half of my guard will I now return. With those that remain do you conduct your daughter, with all speed, to our palace. Verily, we shall make haste with the preparations for the wedding and the festivities.”

Thereupon the lady queen arose, embraced the maiden most tenderly, made her adieus, and, taking the half of her slaves and of her guard, began her homeward journey. When, after many days, she reached the palace, the prince came to welcome her and to ask, eagerly, concerning the result of her quest.

“Most happy am I to answer thee, O, my son!” was the glad reply. “Verily, it is according to that which the vision revealed unto thee. There liveth such a maiden as thou hast believed in, and all those bright qualities belong unto her. One who sees her desires to look again—of such beauty is she possessed. I have been so fortunate as to engage her unto thee. She will come to thee presently.”

When the prince learned this, great fear lest evil should befall her whom his soul desired came upon him. His mind became filled with sadness; his hands and feet began to tremble. He bent to kiss his mother’s hand, after which he sat down and was lost in meditation. As preparations for the wedding began, he could look only with grave and longing eyes along the road over which his betrothed was to come.

Let these remain here, while we return to the other place in the story.

Heavy silken garments were prepared, with all skill, for the maiden who had been engaged to the prince. They were bound into a great package. All things necessary for the journey were made ready, when the mother—wishing to make certain changes in her own wardrobe—called the woman who had been nurse to her daughter and said unto her: “Verily, I give into your care a most precious charge. Take my daughter—whom before this I have intrusted to you—watch over her most carefully, and with these slaves and guard, conduct her safely to Yemen, to the palace of the king. After a few days her father and I will follow, with all speed.”

Thereupon the nurse asked permission that her own daughter might accompany them, as the way was long, the distance very great and her heart would be sore at the parting. Permission was granted, and the little company embarked.

At evening, when the bride-to-be asked for food, the nurse made answer: “Fearing that harm might come to thee from eating of the ship’s rations, I prepared such food as is best for one who journeys, for the first time, upon the sea.” So saying, she cut off some slices of salted sausage, which she had prepared especially for an evil purpose, and gave them to the girl.

In about half an hour the maiden became very thirsty. “O, mother,” she asked of the nurse, “give me some water, I pray!”

To this the woman made reply: “It is not well that you should have water now.” And, although the same request was spoken frequently, no water was permitted to come near the maiden.

As the night wore on, her thirst became more violent; until, at last, she was maddened with it and cried: “Give me water or let me die!”

Then the evil woman said: “My girl, if you will let me take out one of your eyes, you shall have water; but, otherwise, you shall have none.”

To which, after this cruel reply had been repeated many times, the sufferer made answer: “It is possible to live with only one eye; but impossible to live without water. Take thy desire and give unto me mine!”

The woman, overjoyed, made haste to remove one of the eyes; after which she permitted her charge a slight draught of water. But this could not long appease such thirst as had been created by the salted sausage. Again the poor girl moaned: “Verily, mother, I am thirsty!” To which was made no answer.

As the hours wore on and the suffering grew past all endurance, the woman said again: “Verily, girl, if you will give me the other eye, I will give you as much water as you can wish.”

What could the poor girl do? Beside herself with thirst and maddened with pain, she hesitated but a little; then, losing all self-control, sobbed: “Alas! what evil is come upon me! I am powerless in your hands. Do unto me whatever you will, only permit me to quench this thirst, which devours my throat and causes my tongue to swell.”