When I was come to myself again, I cried, "Strike, for I am ready to
die, and await death as the greatest favor you can show me."
But instead of killing me, he said, "Behold how genies revenge
themselves on those who offend them. Thou art the least to blame, and
I will content myself with transforming thee into a dog, ape, lion, or
bird; take thy choice of any of these. I will leave it to thyself."
These words gave me some hopes of being able to appease him.
"O genie," said I, "restrain your rage, and since you will not take
away my life, pardon me freely, as a good dervish pardoned one who
envied him."
"And how was that?" said he.