There was in the country of Damas a king who was named Radja Chah
Djouhou. This King wished to go hunting in the deserted forests. His
first minister said to him, bowing low: "O my lord, King of the world,
why does your Majesty wish to go hunting in foreign countries?"
King Chah Djouhou replied: "I insist upon my plan of going to hunt in
foreign lands, in forests far removed from ours. I wish to go from
place to place, from plain to plain. Such is my will." The prince set
out therefore accompanied by his ministers, his chiefs, and his
servants.
They had all been hunting for some time and had not yet found a single
bit of game. The prince had directed his march toward the forests of
the country of Bagdad. These forests were of immense extent. The heat
was excessive, and the prince, being very thirsty, wanted a drink of
water. The people who generally carried water for the King said to him:
"O lord, sovereign of the world, your Majesty's provision of water is
entirely exhausted."
The prince then asked of his officers and servants: "Which of you can
get me water? I will reward him with riches and with slaves."
These words were heard by one of his officers named Asraf-el-Kaum. He
said: "O my lord, sovereign of the world, give me the vase which will
serve for water, and I will go and seek water for your Majesty."
Then the prince said to the people who had brought water for his use,
"Give my emerald pitcher into the hands of Asraf-el-Kaum."
The latter bowed low and started to seek water. Seeing from afar a very
large fig-tree, he advanced in that direction. Arriving near the tree
he saw at its base an oratory and a pond. At the oratory there was a
woman of very great beauty. The splendor of her countenance shone like
that of the full moon at its fourteenth day. Asraf-el-Kaum, astonished
and moved with admiration, thought in his heart: "Is this a human
creature, or is it a peri?" and Asraf-el-Kaum saluted the princess
Djouher-Manikam, who returned the salutation.
Then the princess asked him, "What is your desire in coming here to my
dwelling?"
Asraf-el-Kaum answered, "I have come here to ask you for water, for I
have lost my way."