Prince Ahmed, and whispering to him said, “Prince, I commend your
compassion, which is worthy of you and your birth; but believe me, this
woman is not so sick as she pretends to be. I am much mistaken if she is
not sent hither on purpose to occasion you great trouble. But do not be
concerned, I will deliver you out of all the snares that shall be laid
for you. Go and pursue your journey.”
This address of the fairy’s did not in the least alarm Prince Ahmed. “My
princess,” said he, “as I do not remember I ever did, or designed to do,
anybody an injury, I cannot believe any one can have a thought of
injuring me; but if they have, I shall not forbear doing good whenever I
have an opportunity.”
So saying, he took leave of the fairy, and set forward again for his
father’s capital, where he soon arrived, and was received as usual by
the sultan, who constrained himself as much as possible, to disguise the
anxiety arising from the suspicions suggested by his favorites.
In the meantime the two women, to whom Perie Banou had given her orders,
conveyed the sorceress into an elegant apartment, richly furnished. When
they had put her into bed, the quilt of which was embroidered brocade,
and the coverlet cloth of gold, one of the women went out, and returned
soon with a china cup in her hand, full of a certain liquor, which she
presented to the sorceress, while the other helped her to sit up. “Drink
this,” said the attendant; “it is the water of the fountain of lions,
and a sure remedy. You will feel the effect of it in less than an hour.”
The two attendants returned in an hour’s time and found the sorceress
seated on the sofa; who, when she saw them open the door of the
apartment, cried out, “Oh, the admirable potion! It has wrought its
cure; and being thus cured as by a miracle, I would not lose time, but
continue my journey.”
The two attendants, after they had told the sorceress how glad they were
that she was cured so soon, walked before her, and conducted her through
several apartments, all more superb than that wherein she had lain, into
a large hall, the most richly and magnificently furnished of all the
palace.
Perie Banou was seated in this hall, on a throne of massy gold, enriched
with diamonds, rubies, and pearls of an extraordinary size, and attended
on each hand by a great number of beautiful fairies, all richly dressed.
At the sight of so much splendor the sorceress was not only dazzled, but
so struck, that after she had prostrated herself before the throne, she
could not open her lips to thank the fairy, as she had proposed.
However, Perie Banou saved her the trouble, and said, “Good woman, I am
glad I had an opportunity to oblige you, and that you are able to pursue
your journey. I will not detain you; but perhaps you may not be
displeased to see my palace. Follow my women, and they will show it to
you.”
The old sorceress, who had not power or courage to say a word,
prostrated herself a second time, with her head on the carpet that
covered the foot of the throne, and then was conducted by the two
fairies through the same apartments which were shown to Prince Ahmed at
his first arrival. They at last led her to the iron gate at which Prince
Ahmed had brought her in; and after she had taken her leave of them, and
thanked them for their trouble, they opened it, and wished her a good
journey.
When the sorceress had gone a little way she turned to observe the door,
that she might know it again, but all in vain; for it was invisible to
her and all other women. Except in this circumstance, she was very well
satisfied with her success, and posted away to the sultan. The sultan,
being informed of her arrival, sent for her to come into his apartment.
The sorceress at once related to the sultan the stratagem by which she
excited the compassion of Prince Ahmed, her introduction to the Princess
Perie Banou, and all the wonders of her fairy abode. Having finished her
narrative, she said, “What does your majesty think of these unheard-of
riches of the fairy? Perhaps you will rejoice at the good fortune of
Prince Ahmed your son. For my part, I shudder when I consider the
misfortunes which may happen to you, as the fairy, by her attractions
and caresses, may inspire your son with the unnatural design of
dethroning his father and of seizing the crown of the Indies.”
As the sultan was consulting with his councillors when he was told of
the sorceress’s arrival, he ordered her to follow him into the council
chamber. After having informed his councillors of all he had learned,
and of his fears of the influence of the fairy over his son, one of them
said, “The author of this mischief is in your majesty’s power. You ought
to put him under arrest; I will not say take away his life, but make him
a close prisoner.”
This advice all the other councillors unanimously applauded.
The sorceress asked of the sultan leave to speak, which being granted,
she said, “If you arrest the prince, you must also detain his retinue.
But they are all genii. Will they not at once disappear by the power
they possess of rendering themselves invisible, and transport themselves
instantly to the fairy, and give her an account of the insult offered
her husband? And can it be supposed she will let it go unrevenged? Would
it not be better to turn the prince’s alliance to your advantage by
imposing on him some hard task, which, if he performs, will benefit you,
and which, if he cannot perform, may give you an honorable pretext for
your accusations against him? Request the prince to procure you a tent,
which can be carried in a man’s hand, and yet be large enough to shelter
your whole army.”
When the sorceress had finished her speech, the sultan asked his
councillors if they had anything better to propose; and finding them all
silent, determined to follow her advice.
The next day, when the prince came into his father’s presence, the
sultan thus addressed him, “My son, I congratulate you on your marriage
with a fairy, who I hear is worthy of your love. It is my earnest wish
that you would use your influence with your wife to obtain her
assistance to do me a great service. You know to what a great expense I
am put, every time I engage in war, to provide mules, camels, and other
beasts of burden to carry the tents of myself and of my army. Now I am
persuaded you could easily procure from the fairy, your wife, a tent
that might be carried in a man’s hand, and which would protect my whole
army. Pray oblige me in this matter.”
Prince Ahmed, hearing this request, was in the greatest trouble what
answer to make. At last he replied, “Though I know not how this mystery
has been revealed to you, I cannot deny that your information is
correct. I have married the fairy you speak of. But I can say nothing as
to the influence I have over her. However, I will not fail, though it be
with great reluctance, to ask my wife the favor you desire. If I should
not come again to pay you my respects, it will be the sign that I have
not been able to succeed in my petition; but beforehand, I desire you to
forgive me, and consider that you yourself have reduced me to this
extremity.”
“Son,” replied the Sultan of the Indies, “your wife would show that her
love to you was very slight if, with the power she possesses as a fairy,
she should refuse so trifling a request as that I have begged you to
make. Go; only ask her. If she loves you, she will not deny you.”
All these reasons of the Sultan of the Indies could not satisfy Prince
Ahmed; and so great was his vexation, that he left the court two days
sooner than usual.
When he returned, the fairy, to whom he always before had appeared with
a gay countenance, at once observed his melancholy, and asked the cause
of the change she perceived in him. After much pressing, Ahmed confessed
that the sultan had discovered his abode and his marriage with the
fairy, though he could not tell by what means. The fairy reminded him of
the old woman on whom he had compassion, and said that she was the spy
of the sultan, and had told him all she had seen and heard. “But,” she
said, “the mere knowledge of my abode by the sultan would not so trouble
you. There is something else which is the cause of your grief and
vexation.”
“Perie Banou,” said Prince Ahmed at last, “it is even so. My father
doubts my fidelity to him, unless I can provide a tent large enough to
shelter him, his court, and army when he goes to war, and small enough
for a man to carry in his hand.”
“Prince,” replied the fairy, smiling, “what the sultan your father
requests is a trifle. On occasion I can do him more important service.
Therefore, I shall always take real pleasure in performing whatever you
can desire.”
Perie Banou then sent for her treasurer, to whom, when she came, she
said, “Noor-Jehaun” (which was her name), “bring me the largest tent in
my treasury.”
Noor-Jehaun returned presently with a small case concealed in the palm
of her hand, and presented it to her mistress, who gave it to Prince
Ahmed to look at.
When Prince Ahmed saw the small case, which the fairy called the largest
tent in her treasury, he fancied she had a mind to banter him. On
perceiving this, Perie Banou exclaimed, “What, prince! Do you think I
jest with you? You will see that I am in earnest. Noor-Jehaun,” said she
to her treasurer, taking the tent out of Prince Ahmed’s hands, “go and
set it up, that he may judge whether the sultan his father will think it
large enough.”
The treasurer went out immediately with it from the palace, and carried
it to a great distance, and then set it up. The prince found it large
enough to shelter two armies as numerous as that of the sultan his
father. “You see,” said the fairy, “that the tent is larger than your
father may have occasion for; but you must also be informed that it
becomes larger or smaller, according to the extent of the army it is to
cover, without applying any hands to it.”
The treasurer took down the tent, reduced it to its first size, brought
it and put it into the prince’s hands. He took it, and without staying
longer than till the next day, mounted his horse, and went with the
usual attendants to the sultan his father.
The sultan, persuaded that the tent he had asked for was beyond all
possibility, was greatly surprised at the prince’s speedy return. He
took the tent, and after he had admired its smallness he had it set up
in the great plain before mentioned, and found it large enough to cover
with ease his whole army. Thereupon his amazement was so intense that he
could not recover himself.
The sultan expressed great obligation to the prince for so noble a
present, desiring him to return his thanks to the fairy; and to show
what a value he set on it, ordered it to be carefully laid up in his
treasury. But in his secret bosom he felt greater jealousy than ever of
his son, considering that by the fairy’s assistance he might effect his
dethronement. Therefore, yet more intent on his ruin, he went to consult
the sorceress again, who advised him to engage the prince to bring him
some of the water of the fountain of lions.
In the evening, when the sultan was surrounded as usual by all his
court, and the prince came to pay his respects among the rest, he
addressed him in these words: “Son, I have already expressed to you how
much I am obliged for the present of the tent you have procured me,
which I esteem the most valuable article in my treasury; but you must do
one thing more, which will be no less agreeable to me. I am informed
that the fairy your spouse makes use of a certain water called the water
of the fountain of lions, which cures all sorts of diseases, even the
most dangerous; and as I am perfectly well persuaded my health is dear
to you, I do not doubt but you will ask her for a bottle of that water,
and bring it to me as a sure remedy, which I may use when I have
occasion. Do me this important service, and complete the duty of a good
son towards a tender father.”
Prince Ahmed, who had believed that the sultan his father would be
satisfied with so remarkable and useful a tent as the one he had
brought, and that he would not impose any new task upon him which might
hazard the fairy’s displeasure, was thunderstruck at this new request.
After a long silence he said, “I beg of your majesty to be assured that
there is nothing I would not undertake to procure which may contribute
to the prolonging of your life, but I wish it might not be by the means
of my wife. For this reason I dare not promise to bring the water. All I
can do is, to assure you I will request it of her; but it will be with
as great reluctance as I asked for the tent.”
The next morning Prince Ahmed returned to the fairy Perie Banou, and
related to her sincerely and faithfully all that had passed at his
father’s court from the giving of the tent, which he told her he
received with the utmost gratitude, to the new request he had charged
him to make. He added, “But, my princess, I only tell you this as a
plain account of what passed between me and my father. I leave you to
your own pleasure, whether you will gratify or reject this new desire.
It shall be as you please.”
“No, no,” replied the fairy, “I will satisfy the sultan, and whatever
advice the sorceress may give him (for I see that he harkens to her
counsel) he shall find no fault with you or me. There is much wickedness
in this demand, as you will understand by what I am going to tell you.
The fountain of lions is situated in the middle of a court of a great
castle, the entrance into which is guarded by four fierce lions, two of
which sleep while the other two are awake. But let not that frighten
you. I will supply you with means to pass them without danger.”
The fairy Perie Banou was at that time at work with her needle; and as
she had by her several balls of thread, she took up one, and presenting
it to Prince Ahmed, said, “First take this ball of thread, and I will
tell you presently the use of it. In the second place, you must have two
horses. One you must ride yourself, and the other you must lead, loaded
with a sheep cut into four quarters. In the third place, you must be
provided with a bottle, which I will give you, to bring the water in.
Set out early to-morrow morning, and when you have passed the gate throw
before you the ball of thread, which will roll till it reaches the gates
of the castle. Follow it, and when it stops the gates will be open, and
you will 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, and then clap spurs to your horse and ride to the
fountain. Fill your bottle without alighting, and return with the same
speed. The lions will be so busy eating they will let you pass
unmolested.”
Prince Ahmed set out the next morning at the time appointed by the
fairy, and followed her directions punctually. When he arrived at the
gates of the castle, he distributed the quarters of the sheep among the
four lions, and passing through the midst of them with speed, got to the
fountain, filled his bottle, and returned safe. When he had proceeded a
little distance from the castle gates he turned about; and perceiving
two of the lions coming after him, drew his sword, and prepared himself
for defence. But as he went forwards, he saw one of them turn out of the
road to pass by him, and it showed by its actions that it did not come
to do him any harm, but only to go before him. The other followed
behind. He therefore put his sword into its scabbard. Guarded in this
manner he arrived at the capital of the Indies; but the lions never left
him till they had conducted him to the gates of the sultan’s palace;
after which they returned the way they had come, though not without
alarming the populace, who fled or hid themselves to avoid them,
notwithstanding they walked gently and showed no signs of fierceness.
A number of officers came to attend the prince while he dismounted, and
conduct him to the apartment of the sultan, who was at that time
conversing with his councillors. He approached the throne, laid the
bottle at the sultan’s feet, kissed the rich carpet which covered the
footstool, and rising, said, “I have brought you, sire, the healthful
water which your majesty so much wished for; but at the same time I wish
you such health as never to have occasion to make use of it.”
After the prince had concluded his compliment, the sultan placed him on
his right hand, and said, “Son, I am much obliged to you for this
valuable present, as also for the great danger you have exposed yourself
to on my account; but I have one thing yet to ask of you, after which I
shall expect nothing more from your obedience, nor from your interest
with your fairy wife. This request is, to bring me a man not above a
foot and a half high, whose beard is thirty feet long, and who carries
on his shoulders a bar of iron of five hundredweight, which he uses as a
quarter-staff.”
Next day the prince returned to Perie Banou, to whom he related his
father’s new demand, “which,” he said, “I look on to be a thing more
difficult than the two first, for I cannot imagine there is or can be
such a man in the world. Without doubt he seeks my ruin; but if there
are any means, I beg you will tell me how I may come off with honor this
time also.”
“Do not alarm yourself, prince,” replied the fairy; “you ran a risk in
fetching the water of the fountain of lions for your father, but there
is no danger in finding this man. He is my brother Schaibar. Though we
both had the same parents, he is of so violent a nature that his
resentment kindles at the slightest offence; yet, on the other hand, he
is so liberal as to oblige any one who shows him a kindness. I will send
for him, but prepare yourself not to be alarmed at his extraordinary
figure.”
“What, my queen!” replied Prince Ahmed, “do you say Schaibar is your
brother? Let him be ever so ugly or deformed, I shall love and honor him
as your nearest relation.”
The fairy ordered a gold chafing-dish to be lighted on the porch of her
palace. She took some incense and threw it into the fire, when there
arose a thick cloud of smoke.
Some moments after the fairy said to Prince Ahmed, “Prince, there comes
my brother, do you see him?”
The prince immediately perceived Schaibar, who, as he came forward,
looked at the prince with a glance that chilled his soul in his body,
and asked Perie Banou, when he first accosted her, who that man was. To
which she replied, “His name is Ahmed. He is a son of the Sultan of the
Indies, and my husband, brother. I did not invite you to my wedding,
because you were engaged in a distant expedition, from which I heard
with pleasure you returned victorious; but on my husband’s account I
have taken the liberty now to call for you.”
At these words, Schaibar, gazing at Prince Ahmed with a favorable eye,
which, however, diminished neither his fierceness nor savage look, said,
“It is enough for me that he is your husband, to engage me to do for him
whatever he wishes.”
“The sultan his father,” replied Perie Banou, “has a curiosity to see
you, and I desire he may be your guide to the sultan’s court.”
“He needs but lead the way; I will follow him,” replied Schaibar.
The next morning, Schaibar set out with Prince Ahmed to visit the
sultan. When they arrived at the gates of the capital, the people, as
soon as they saw Schaibar, either hid themselves in their shops and
houses, and shut their doors, or they took to their heels, and
communicated their fear to all they met. They stayed not to look behind
them; insomuch that Schaibar and Prince Ahmed, as they went along, found
all the streets and squares desolate, till they came to the palace,
where the guards, instead of preventing Schaibar from entering, ran away
too. Thus the prince and he advanced without any obstacle to the
council-hall, where the sultan was seated on his throne surrounded by
his councillors.
Schaibar haughtily approached the throne, and without waiting for Prince
Ahmed to present him, thus addressed the sultan: “Thou hast sent for me.
What dost thou wish?”
The sultan, instead of answering, put his hands before his eyes to
exclude so frightful a sight. Schaibar, enraged at this reception,
lifted up his bar of iron. “Wilt thou not speak, then?” he exclaimed,
and let it fall directly on the sultan’s head, and crushed him to the
earth.
He did this before Prince Ahmed had the power to interfere. Then he
destroyed all the councillors who were the enemies of Prince Ahmed, and
only spared the grand vizier at Prince Ahmed’s earnest entreaty. Having
completed this dreadful execution, Schaibar left the hall of audience,
and went into the middle of the court with the bar of iron on his
shoulder. “I know there is a certain sorceress who stirred up the sultan
to demand my presence here,” he cried, looking at the grand vizier,
standing beside Prince Ahmed. “Let her be brought before me.”
The grand vizier immediately sent for her, when Schaibar, as he crushed
her with his bar of iron, said, “Learn the consequence of giving wicked
advice.”
“Vizier!” exclaimed Schaibar, “this is not sufficient. Prince Ahmed, my
brother-in-law, must be instantly acknowledged as Sultan of India.”
All those who were present cheerfully assented, and made the air resound
with cries of “Long live Sultan Ahmed,” and in a short time the whole
city echoed with the same shouts. Schaibar next ordered the prince
clothed in the robes of the sultan, and had him instantly installed. And
after having paid him homage, and taken an oath of fidelity, he went for
his sister, Perie Banou, conducted her to the city in great pomp, and
caused her to be acknowledged as Sultana of India.
Prince Ahmed gave to Prince Ali and the Princess Nouronnihar a very
considerable province, with its capital, for their establishment.
Afterwards he sent an officer to Houssain to acquaint him with the
change, and made him an offer of any province he might choose; but that
prince thought himself so happy in his solitude, that he desired the
officer to return his brother thanks for the kindness he designed him,
assuring him of his submission; but that the only favor he desired was,
to be indulged with leave to live retired in the place he had chosen for
his retreat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WIDOW’S SON
In a little house at the edge of a village lived a widow with her only
son, and they were very happy together. The son was kind to his mother,
and they made their living by growing rice in clearings on the mountain
side and by hunting wild pig in the forest.
One evening when their supply of meat was low, the boy said:
“Mother, I am going to hunt pig in the morning, and I wish you would
prepare rice for me before daylight.”
So the widow rose early and cooked the rice, and at dawn the boy started
out with his spear and dog.
Some distance from the village he entered the thick forest. He walked on
and on, ever on the lookout for game, but none appeared. At last, when
he had travelled far and the sun was hot, he sat down on a rock to rest
and took out his brass box to get a piece of betel-nut. He prepared the
nut and leaf for chewing, and as he did so he wondered why it was that
he had been so unsuccessful that day. But even as he pondered he heard
his dog barking sharply, and cramming the betel-nut into his mouth he
leaped up and ran toward the dog.
As he drew near he could see that the game was a fine large pig, all
black save its four legs, which were white. He lifted his spear and took
aim, but before he could throw the pig started to run, and instead of
going toward a water course it ran straight up the mountain. The boy
went on in hot pursuit, and when the pig paused he again took aim, but
before he could throw, it ran on.
Six times the pig stopped just long enough for the boy to take aim, and
then started on before he could throw. The seventh time, however, it
halted on the top of a large flat rock, and the boy succeeded in killing
it.
He tied its legs together with a piece of rattan and was about to start
for home with the pig on his back, when to his surprise a door in the
large stone swung open and a man stepped out.
“Why have you killed my master’s pig?” asked the man.
“I did not know that this pig belonged to anyone,” replied the widow’s
son. “I was hunting, as I often do, and when my dog found the pig I
helped him to catch it.”