Great Prince of the genies, you must know that these two black dogs,
which you see here, and myself, are three brothers. Our father, when
he died, left us one thousand sequins each. With this sum we all
embarked in business as merchants. My two brothers determined to
travel, that they might trade in foreign parts. They were both
unfortunate, and returned at the end of two years in a state of abject
poverty, having lost their all. I had in the meanwhile prospered. I
gladly received them, and gave them one thousand sequins each, and
again set them up as merchants.
My brothers frequently proposed to me that I should make a voyage with
them for the purpose of traffic. Knowing their former want of success,
I refused to join them, until at the end of five years I at length
yielded to their repeated solicitations. On consulting on the
merchandise to be bought for the voyage, I discovered that nothing
remained of the thousand sequins I had given to each. I did not
reproach them; on the contrary, as my capital was increased to six
thousand sequins, I gave them each one thousand sequins, and kept a
like sum myself, concealing the other three thousand in a corner of my
house, in order that if our voyage proved unsuccessful we might be
able to console ourselves and begin our former profession.
We purchased our goods, embarked in a vessel, which we ourselves
freighted, and set sail with a favorable wind. After sailing about a
month, we arrived, without any accident, at a port, where we landed,
and had a most advantageous sale for our merchandise. I, in
particular, sold mine so well that I gained ten for one.
About the time that we were ready to embark on our return, I
accidentally met on the seashore a female of great beauty, but very
poorly dressed. She accosted me by kissing my hand, and entreated me
most earnestly to permit her to be my wife. I stated many difficulties
to such a plan; but at length she said so much to persuade me that I
ought not to regard her poverty, and that I should be well satisfied
with her conduct, I was quite overcome. I directly procured proper
dresses for her, and after marrying her in due form, she embarked
with me, and we set sail.
During our voyage I found my wife possessed of so many good qualities
that I loved her every day more and more. In the meantime my two
brothers, who had not traded so advantageously as myself, and who were
jealous of my prosperity, began to feel exceedingly envious. They even
went so far as to conspire against my life; for one night, while my
wife and I were asleep, they threw us into the sea. I had hardly,
however, fallen into the water, before my wife took me up and
transported me to an island. As soon as it was day she thus addressed
me:
"You must know that I am a fairy, and being upon the shore when you
were about to sail, I wished to try the goodness of your heart, and
for this purpose I presented myself before you in the disguise you
saw. You acted most generously, and I am therefore delighted in
finding an occasion of showing my gratitude, and I trust, my husband,
that in saving your life I have not ill rewarded the good you have
done me. But I am enraged against your brothers, nor shall I be
satisfied till I have taken their lives."
I listened with astonishment to the discourse of the fairy, and
thanked her, as well as I was able, for the great obligation she had
conferred on me.
"But, madam," said I to her, "I must entreat you to pardon my
brothers."
I related to her what I had done for each of them, but my account only
increased her anger.
"I must instantly fly after these ungrateful wretches," cried she,
"and bring them to a just punishment; I will sink their vessel, and
precipitate them to the bottom of the sea."
"No, beautiful lady," replied I, "for heaven's sake moderate your
indignation, and do not execute so dreadful an intention; remember,
they are still my brothers, and that we are bound to return good for
evil."
No sooner had I pronounced these words, than I was transported in an
instant from the island, where we were, to the top of my own house. I
descended, opened the doors, and dug up the three thousand sequins
which I had hidden. I afterward repaired to my shop, opened it, and
received the congratulations of the merchants in the neighborhood on
my arrival. When I returned home I perceived these two black dogs,
which came toward me with a submissive air. I could not imagine what
this meant, but the fairy, who soon appeared, satisfied my curiosity.
"My dear husband," said she, "be not surprised at seeing these two
dogs in your house; they are your brothers."
My blood ran cold on hearing this, and I inquired by what power they
had been transformed into that state.
"It is I," replied the fairy, "who have done it, and I have sunk their
ship; for the loss of the merchandise it contained I shall recompense
you. As to your brothers, I have condemned them to remain under this
form for ten years, as a punishment for their perfidy."
Then informing me where I might hear of her, she disappeared.
The ten years are now completed, and I am traveling in search of her.
This, O Lord Genie, is my history; does it not appear to you of a
most extraordinary nature?
"Yes," replied the genie, "I confess it is most wonderful, and
therefore I grant you the other half of this merchant's blood," and
having said this, the genie disappeared, to the great joy of the
merchant and of the two old men.
The merchant did not omit to bestow many thanks upon his liberators,
who, bidding him adieu, proceeded on their travels. He remounted his
horse, returned home to his wife and children, and spent the remainder
of his days with them in tranquillity.
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