STORY OF THE CRYING POMEGRANATE AND THE LAUGHING BEAR
The narrator of tales relates that, once upon a time, there lived a king who had nine daughters. And because there was no son, he made a vow that he would condemn his wife to death if their next child were not a boy.
Time came and went until another child was born to the king. And, although this one, also, was a little girl, the queen, with the careful assistance of her faithful nurse, concealed the fact, and the child was supposed to be a boy. The king rejoiced greatly, giving thanks to Allah, because he believed that a son had come to him, who could inherit the kingdom.
But after a number of years had gone by, and the time came when the child was to be enrolled in the royal army corps, the queen knew that her deceit would be discovered. She shut herself up in her room and wept bitterly.
The child was greatly disturbed at her grief, and [[98]]begged to come in and comfort her. “My mother,” it said, “why do you weep so? What is there that should trouble you?”
“Ai, my child!” the queen answered, “of all who weep there is no one who has sadder cause than I. And the cause of my sorrow is this: When you were a little baby it was told the king, your father—who greatly desired a son to inherit his throne—that you were a boy. He has believed it until this day. Now he will learn the truth, and I shall lose my life.”
But the child—being very wise as well as loving—comforted her mother with these words: “Do not fear, dearest mother! I will go to my father, the king, and ask him to delay this ceremony for another year.”
The next morning, therefore, the child, weeping bitterly, went into her father’s presence and kissed his hand.
“Why do you cry, my son?” asked the father. “Tears are for girls. They should not be seen upon the face of the king’s son.”
“O! my father! I am still little. Yet you are going to make me one in the royal army. Therefore do I weep.”
“Well, well, my son,” said the king, “dry your tears! We will postpone this matter until your next birthday.” [[99]]
At these words the girl kissed her father’s hand gratefully and returned to her mother with rejoicing. The queen was glad, indeed. She took the child in her arms and kissed her eyes.
The year passed most swiftly, and, at its end, the mother was so racked with fear that, again, she began to cry. Upon this the child made bold to approach her father, who, for her sake, delayed the initiation for another year.
But when the third year came, the queen, knowing in her heart that there could be no hope, went to her room and gave herself up to such bitter tears that the child was not able to restrain her own. So they two wept together.
Then the mother said: “Ai, my daughter! Although your father, the king, has delayed this important ceremony for two years, I am certain that he will not defer it a third time. You are now large and well grown. There is no longer any respite for me. To-morrow I shall be put to death. This is the last day of my life.”
But the girl was determined to cheer her mother, at all cost. “Ai, honored mother!” she made answer. “If my father summons me I will beg for a half hour’s grace, when I will go to the stable, mount a swift horse, and fly away.”
“But what will become of you, my child?” [[100]]
“Dearest mother, do not be anxious about me. I will go to foreign lands and dwell. It will be a small sacrifice to make for your happiness.”
The next morning tents were pitched in a great open square; and when it became known that the royal ceremony was to take place, an immense crowd of people collected.
The king called for the supposed prince, and said: “My son, you are now fourteen years old. The long-postponed initiation will take place to-day.”
“Indeed, my honored father, I am now ready. Will you grant that I may first ride, on horseback, about the square, to view the people and the grand preparations? After that you will do with me according to your will.”
“Very well, my son,” answered the king. “Go! Show their prince to my people!”
The supposed prince then flew to embrace her royal mother; after which she went to the stables and selected a most beautiful coal-black steed. As she stood by the horse’s head, tears flowed down her cheeks.
At this occurred something most strange. The beautiful horse, seeing the tears of the princess, began to speak: “Ai, my sultana! Why do you cry?”
Now, the princess was surprised that, while all about supposed her to be a prince, she should be [[101]]addressed as sultana. However, she was too distressed to cavil at anything; so made answer:
“No one has greater cause for grief than I. Ever since my birth, my father has believed me to be a boy. Now, at the performance of this ceremony, he will be told what you already know. In that hour he will cause my mother to be put to death. I have half an hour, only, in which to escape. My father has given permission that I should ride about the square to view the people. At the end of that time, I have decided to make my escape.”
When the princess had confided this sorrow and perplexity to the horse, he spoke again: “Sultana,” he said, “there is no cause for grief. Mount my back and, with the favor of Allah, I will bear you to other lands. But, first, accept a bit of advice. When the time comes that we are to fly, hold to my neck with all your might. Also keep fast hold upon the reins; because my speed is so great that, if a bullet be shot off behind us, it could not overtake me. Bear this in mind and act accordingly!”
Thereupon the young girl mounted the beautiful coal-black steed and rode to the public square—from one end to the other of it—while all the soldiers stood watching one whom they believed to be their prince.
When the half hour had elapsed, the horse gave a [[102]]spring, from the admiring soldiers, and was off like the wind.
When the people saw this they believed that the spirited creature had become frightened, and that the prince could not manage him. A crier was sent to the king, while the soldiers set out in pursuit.
But they found no trace of the horse, nor of his rider—not so much as the prints of hoofs in the road. Then they returned; for they felt that search was hopeless. The king and all his people went into mourning for the prince; and the soldiers were ordered back to their stations.
Now let us come to the princess.
In one day the strange horse brought his rider into a country whose distance was a six months’ journey from her own kingdom. Here he stopped and said to her:
“Sultana, this much of your rescue have I been able to accomplish for you. I can go no farther. Hereafter you must save yourself.”
At this the princess, realizing her lonely condition, dismounted, saying: “O, my beautiful deliverer! First, it was Allah who saved me, then he sent me to you, and now I am left to myself. I will go on; but if danger befall me, what am I to do?” As she spoke tears gathered in her eyes. [[103]]
The horse answered: “Ai, sultana! take three hairs from the forelock which hangs over my eyes. Should trouble perplex you, rub them together and I will come to your aid.”
The princess took the hairs, gratefully, and put them in her bosom. Then, flinging her arms about the horse’s neck, she thanked him for all he had done to help her and bade him adieu.
As she withdrew her arms, he disappeared.
The princess traveled on and on, until she entered another country. It was evening. Before her stood a grand palace, at the side of which was a large kitchen. Hastily removing the marks of royalty from her clothing, she entered and asked of the cooks: “My masters, will you take me as an assistant?”
But they were in haste and answered her roughly: “Are you blind? Can’t you see that we are up to our elbows in work? What should we do with a lad like you?”
However, with all the persuasion at her command, she entreated to be allowed to try; and, finally, was accepted and set to running of errands, upstairs and down. After a little, she asked one of the men why they were cooking such enormous quantities of food and in such haste.
“Ai, my son,” was the reply, “do you not know [[104]]that every six years a dragon comes to this country and feeds on the king’s liver? To-morrow night is the time of his next coming. It is thought possible that he may be tempted to eat of other food, if enough is spread in the banqueting hall. That is why we are in such great haste. Possibly we may save the life of our king.”
The princess was so amazed that she bit her finger, to learn whether, indeed, she were awake.
All that night she was not permitted to sleep, but worked as hard as she could, serving the cooks. When morning came she stole away, went into the other part of the palace, and climbed the stairs. There, in a room by herself, she saw a sultana who was dressed from head to foot in black. Without letting herself be seen, the young explorer went to another room, in which was seated another princess. This one, likewise, was dressed in black, and all the room was draped in mourning. Leaving this, she went to still another room, in which a sultana, who was arrayed from head to foot in scarlet, was seated upon a divan. The princess went on, noiselessly, until she came to the chamber of the king. The court physician had administered a powder to him, and the king lay unconscious.
During all this, more time had elapsed than the princess dreamed. It was now evening, and time [[105]]for the coming of the dragon. She knew, by savory odors that the feast which she had helped to prepare, was spread in the banqueting hall. It seemed to her that a time had come when she should apply for aid. Her heart was trembling with hope and fear; but she took the hairs from her bosom, rubbed them together, when—O, joy, the beautiful horse stood before her once more.
“My princess, art thou in need of me?” he asked. “And what is it that thou requirest?”
“If it be in your power, my noble deliverer, give me a sword so sharp and strong that should I strike an enormous dragon with it, he must be severed in two.”
Without moving from the spot, the horse turned his head and the princess saw a sword among his caparisons. “Take it, my sultana!” he answered. “Use it well. And remember that you must not strike a second blow, in the same place.” With this warning he disappeared.
The princess grasped the sword. Going directly to the king’s chamber, she hid herself in a corner.
The palace was deserted. It seemed strange that the people should leave their beloved king to his fate; but this was in the agreement by which the whole country had been spared. In the middle of [[106]]the night a great noise burst forth through all the sky. The moon and stars became obscured. Everything was black as pitch. Immediately afterward, with loud snorts, an immense dragon appeared in the middle of the room.
Scarcely had he appeared when the young princess seized the sword with both hands and crying, “Yellah!” struck him such a blow that his head was severed from the body.
Then a terrible sound came from the body of the dragon; and this sound was like a voice, which formed itself into these words: “O, valiant youth! Let me know, by striking again, whether you are, indeed, a boy.”
But the princess remembered the warning of the horse and remained standing perfectly still, until the soul of the dragon had left his body and gone to Hades, its rightful place. She then cut off one of his ears, put it in her pocket, and, hiding the sword in her clothing, returned to the kitchen and renewed her tasks, running up and down stairs according to the directions of the cooks.
When morning dawned the king recovered from the effects of the powder, which the court physician had given him, looked about him and exclaimed with great astonishment at finding himself still alive. He saw the pitch-black body of the dragon lying [[107]]headless in the middle of his chamber. Even in that condition, one could hardly view it without losing his wits. He gave thanks unto Allah for his escape; after which his mind was lost in wonder as to who had killed his mortal enemy.
After a little he went out of the palace. The whole populace had gathered to express grief at the calamity which they supposed had come upon them; but when they saw their beloved king, safe and sound, they were beside themselves with joy and cried: “Praise be to Allah! Our Caliph lives!”
After they had shouted thus until they were exhausted, the king found voice to ask who it was that had killed the dragon. Upon this the people came forward, one by one, each claiming to have accomplished the brave feat “I killed it, my lord!” cried each one, in turn.
The king knew that this could not be true; but he was so glad to be alive, that he gave backsheesh to each, even to the cooks. Everybody received a present who went before the king.
The cooks, noticing that their assistant did not go, said to her: “Why do you stand here listless? See! all we have presents from the king. Go and receive one for yourself.”
“I am not of this kingdom. Your sovereign will not receive me,” was the reply. [[108]]
“Why should he not receive you?” cried they all. “Surely he will give you, too, something.”
They continued to urge until the young princess went forward, as the others had done, and, when she had come near to His Majesty, said to him, “O, my padisha! it was I who killed your adversary, the dragon.”
But, according to her prediction, the king repulsed her, saying, “How is that you can claim to have done this thing, seeing that you are not of my people?”
“My padisha,” answered she, “let me prove the truth of what I say and the falsehood of that which all these others have said to you. Here is an ear, which I cut from the head of the monster as soon as he was dead. Let us go and look at the dragon. You will find that his right ear has been cut off.”
Accordingly they went, and, behold! it was as the girl had said.
Then the king turned to her and exclaimed, “My son! ask whatever you will and it shall be given you!”
“My padisha,” was her quiet response, “I ask that Allah may continue your life unto you.”
“Thou art most courteous, my son; but I desire that thou ask something for thyself.”
The same request was repeated. A third time [[109]]the king made his royal offer; then the supposed youth made answer: “My padisha, I would like it if you would give to me the maiden in the scarlet robes, who sits upon a divan in an upper room in your palace.”
“But already I have offered to her many youths—brave as well as handsome—and she will have none of them. Why do you ask for her? She is a cruel coquette. In the other rooms, arrayed in black, are my two other daughters. I will give you one of them.”
But the princess answered: “O, king! my fancy prefers the one in scarlet raiment. If you will give any to me, let it be this one.”
So the king had no choice. And, since he realized that to the valor of the one who made the request did he owe his life, he sent a summons; and the girl who was dressed in scarlet came into his presence and stood before him, showing deep respect.
“Ai, my daughter!” said the king. “This youth desires to marry you. I command that you accept him.”
“My honored father,” was the reply. “I pray you give me a little time. Let me dream over the matter, and, to-morrow, you shall hear the result.”
This slight request was granted, and the king’s [[110]]daughter returned to her own apartment. When night came on and all was still in the palace, the one who had killed the dragon, stole quietly to her door and watched through the keyhole, to see what she would do.
The girl, who was arrayed in scarlet, set a golden basin, filled with various kinds of perfumed waters, in the middle of the floor. Almost immediately, a dove flew in through the open window, bathed in the water and turned into a beautiful youth, whom the girl embraced tenderly; after which the two sat down beside each other.
“Ai, my lord, light of my eyes!” said she. “To-day my father summoned me into his presence and declared that he would bestow me, in marriage, upon a youth of mean condition. I persuaded him to give me this night of grace in which to think upon the matter. In reality, I wished to consult with you.”
“My princess,” answered the youth, after he had thought for some minutes, “your father should not expect to marry you to one who is not willing to do some valiant deed to win your hand. There is a magic mirror, which the jinns have in charge. No one is capable of securing it from them. It has often been tried. Now, to-morrow, you must say that you will marry this presumptuous one, if he will bring you the magic mirror.” [[111]]
When morning returned, the youth again took on the form of a dove and disappeared through the window. After that, the one who had been watching them went away. She saw, very clearly, that the princess who wore the scarlet raiment was under an evil enchantment. And her love for the deluded one was increased by her pity.
The king’s daughter, arrayed all in scarlet, went to her father with the condition. “Verily, my king!” she said, “in a certain place, where the jinns have charge of it, is a magic mirror—into which whoever looks will thenceforth be happy. I would possess this mirror. If the youth who seeks my hand will bring it to me, then will I marry him.”
Upon this the king summoned the assistant of the cooks and said to her: “My son, it is as I told you. This foolish daughter is amusing herself. Now, before she will marry you, she demands that you bring to her a mirror, the securing of which will entail great danger.”
The reply came without hesitation: “My padisha, let it please you that I go and bring the mirror unto your daughter.”
The king, assured that this would end the matter, gave most willing consent. “Let it be so, then!” he replied. “Go and bring it.”
Having obtained royal permission to leave the [[112]]palace, the supposed youth went beyond the sight of any, took the magic hairs from her bosom and rubbed them together. Immediately the horse appeared and was greeted most gladly.
“O, you beautiful creature! In a certain place, protected by the jinns, there is a mirror of which I am in need. You, who are so powerful, bring it to me, I pray!”
“Verily, I would gladly do as you desire, O, my princess! But it is not permitted me to touch the mirror. I will help you to obtain it for yourself. But you have much to do. Let me ask that you mount my back.”
This done, they were off like the wind.
After going for some time, they came to a high mountain. Here the horse stopped quite still, saying: “My princess, I have brought you as far as is permitted me. Dismount and go to the mountain opposite, where you will come upon the haunt of the jinns. Observe them carefully. If their eyes are shut, be assured that they are awake; but, should their eyes be open, you may believe them asleep. Enter softly. You will see the mirror hanging above their heads. Secure it, and return to me with all speed, without once looking behind.”
“Very well,” was the answer, “I will do my best.” [[113]]
Then she climbed to the top of the mountain indicated, and easily found the place where lived the jinns. Approaching noiselessly, she saw the mirror hanging above their heads and noted, carefully, that their eyes were open. Knowing this to be assurance that they were asleep—although it required great faith in the word of the horse—she went in boldly, took the mirror, turned about, and, as soon as she was beyond hearing, ran toward the horse without once looking behind.
She was no sooner out of the place than the jinns wakened, discovered their loss, and looked about until they espied the flying figure of the girl.
“Youth!” they shouted, “bring back our mirror!” And as they said the words, they rolled down stones that were like a broken mountain for size.
But the princess, without casting the slightest glance backward, ran until she reached the side of the horse. As soon as she was upon his back, he gave a great bound and was off like the wind, leaving the jinns behind, gnashing their teeth in useless rage.
After a time they two reached the palace, where the princess dismounted, and the instant her feet touched the ground, the beautiful coal-black steed vanished. She then entered the palace and went directly into the presence of the king. [[114]]
His Majesty was surprised at seeing her, and supposed that she had come to say that the foolhardy undertaking had been abandoned. But, instead, after receiving obeisance, these were the words he heard:
“Behold, O, king! I have brought the mirror which you asked of me.”
The king’s amazement was great. He summoned his daughter—who came in, wearing the same brilliant garments—and said to her: “Look! This youth has brought the mirror which you requested!”
For the moment the girl was too amazed to speak. However, quickly recovering herself, she received the mirror, and made still another request for delay, while turning it about in her hands:
“O, my kingly father! I beg you to grant another night’s dreaming; during which I may think upon this strange feat. To-morrow shall my answer be ready.”
“Let it be as you desire,” replied her father. “Take another night in which to think upon the matter.”
Then the king’s daughter withdrew. The seeming youth, also, made obeisance and went out from the king’s audience chamber to hide away from the cooks until evening, when, as before, she stole to the door of the one to whom had been delivered [[115]]the mirror, and renewed her watch of the night previous.
After the golden basin had been placed in the middle of the floor, the same snow-white dove flew in at the window, alighted in the perfumed waters, bathed, and came forth a youth—handsome, brave, and strong as a lion. He embraced the king’s daughter, who said to him:
“O, joy of my heart! light of my eyes! my lord! Sad news have I to tell. The youth of mean condition went to the home of the jinns and returned with the mirror you described. I knew of nothing to do, except to beg my father for another night in which to think upon the matter. How shall we punish this presumptuous fellow?”
“Aha! then he was able to procure the mirror! But do not let that vex your soul, my princess! We will ask of him something of which no human being is capable. In another place, under the charge of the giants, is a rare and costly diamond. None so large ever has been seen by human eyes. Request this youth to procure the diamond for you, and when he has failed you will be free to marry me.” This he said without the slightest intention of marrying anyone.
During all this, the other princess was listening without. She could see that the one who had been [[116]]a bird was not in real earnest. And she was all the more determined to rescue the maiden who had won her heart unconsciously.
A little later, as the time came when persons were admitted to the presence of the king, the scarlet princess approached him and said: “My father, since this youth who asks my hand has no fortune to offer me, let him procure something which is very precious. There is, in a certain place under the charge of the giants, a diamond, the like of which has never been possessed by mortals. Command that he go forth and secure that. Then will it not seem strange that he should ask the hand of one who is the daughter of a king.”
Her father’s judgment was affected by the specious reasoning. He sent for the supposed youth, and, after receiving his obeisance, said to him: “My son, the giants have a wonderful diamond in charge, of which my daughter is very desirous. It is fitting that you bring it to her, before you receive her hand in marriage.”
With a low bow, “Your orders shall be obeyed, my lord, or I will lose my life in the attempt,” answered the one who had been summoned. She then turned and quickly left the palace.
After having gone beyond the sight of any, she took the hairs from her bosom and rubbed them together; [[117]]whereupon the beautiful horse appeared and listened to the request that had been made.
“I will do all that I can,” he made answer. “The real accomplishment of the undertaking lies with you.”
After the maiden had mounted him, the coal-black creature became like a fire in the image of Asdar. As he started off, a mighty cloud of dust arose.
In a little while he had reached the foot of a high mountain, where he stopped and signified to the princess that she must dismount; after which he said: “Follow this crooked path until you reach the cave of the giants. If all is quiet and you see no great eyes gleaming in the darkness, enter. In the middle of the cave you will see a large stone. Touch this lightly with the little finger of your left hand, and it will open so that you will discover the diamond, shining in a great space within the very center. Put the precious gem in your bosom and return to me, without stopping. Should you but pause, this will be the last day of your life. Also, be careful not to waken the giants; for whatever curse they call down upon you will come true.”
Weighed down with the importance of following these instructions, the brave young princess set out in the path indicated to her, and soon came upon the cave inhabited by the giants. Entering, she caused [[118]]the stone to open, after the manner described, secured the great, guttering diamond, and turned to fly back with it.
While she was speeding along, the sleeping giants wakened, discovered the great stone standing open—which, in her haste, the princess had neglected to close—found that their most precious treasure had been stolen, and hastened after the departing figure.
But the flight had been so swift that the giants, being slow at running, saw that they could not overtake her. Therefore they called out: “O, divine youth! If you are a boy, may you become a girl! And if you are a girl, may you, at once, become a boy!”
The swift young figure did not tarry, nor so much as slacken its speed for a breath. Running up to the waiting and anxious horse, she cried, gleefully: “Behold! thou valiant helper! Here is that which, without thee, I could not so much as dreamed of possessing.”
But the horse did not notice the precious thing. “Did I not hear voices calling after thee, my prince? Have the giants pronounced any strange thing upon thee? Because, if they have, you never can be rid of it.”
The answer was most joyous: “They did pronounce a most strange thing, indeed, my deliverer! [[119]]But not a curse. At last I have the desire of my heart; the desire of my weeping mother’s heart and the great desire of my father, the king. I need no longer be ashamed to enter his presence; since, now, I am really his son! Praise be to Allah, who is gracious to all!”
At this the horse was delighted, equally with the youth, and replied: “Verily, my prince—since you are, indeed, a prince—from this time forth, whatever you may wish, I will do it; without in the least disappointing you.”
Upon this the delighted pair flew back to the palace, as if upon the wings of the wind; where, as usual, the coal-black steed immediately disappeared.
The young prince entered the palace, and, after seeking audience with the king, presented himself before the throne, made low obeisance, and announced the success of his journey.
“Here, O, padisha! is the diamond which you have required at my hands.”
The king was dazzled with the magnificence of the great gem. With all speed he sent for his daughter, to whom he said: “Verily, my child, this valiant youth has secured the priceless jewel which you demanded. What new trial of his patience and ardor will you now invent?”
The almost fainting girl responded: “Ai, my [[120]]father! for the love of Allah, grant to me one more night. To-morrow, surely, I will give you a final answer.”
The king permitted himself to be curious concerning the new device which the heart of his daughter would invent; therefore he answered: “It is but a day. To-morrow bring me thy answer.”
The princess returned to her room, and the young prince concealed himself until night came on, when he went to her door to observe what would come to pass. Everything occurred as on previous evenings. The snow-white bird, after plunging in the perfumed waters, became a youth, as beautiful as the moon. The two embraced, after which the princess cried: “O, my dear harbor of refuge! my lord! The ill conditioned youth has brought the diamond to-day, as he brought the mirror yesterday. What will become of us?”
But the young prince smiled at her distress, comforting her with a caress, and answered:
“Do not be troubled at this, my princess! Since my father is king of the fairies, can it be impossible for me to find a way out of this dilemma? In the middle of our pleasure garden stands a crying pomegranate tree, and near it a laughing bear. The moment any person approaches the tree, or even stretches out a hand toward its branches, the tree [[121]]begins to cry. And when the bear hears the crying of the tree, he is filled so with delight that he begins to laugh. As a consequence, no one, except the gardener and the keeper, can go near them.
“To-morrow I will ask my father to command that all the soldiers in his kingdom take up their arms. I will station them about the tree. Should this presumptuous youth dare to appear, it will mean instant death to him.
“When he comes again, announce that you have but one more request. Tell of the tree and say that you have desired it long. Pride in those two achievements will disarm his wisdom. He will undertake to gratify you, and will meet the death which he deserves for having aspired to the hand of a king’s daughter.”
Later on, at the break of day, a bird flew out of the window and did not pause until it had reached the pleasure garden of the king of the fairies. There, turning into his rightful form and appearing as prince of the fairies, he commanded all the soldiers of the kingdom to take up their arms. Then he set them to watch about the pomegranate tree.
Let us come again to the scarlet princess.
Early in the day she entered the audience chamber of her father and approached him, saying: “O, [[122]]my king! In the pleasure garden of a certain palace stands a weeping pomegranate tree, and beside it is a laughing bear. Should this youth be able to grant a third desire of my heart and bring me the tree, I will be able no longer to deny his suit, but, assuredly, will marry him.”
Whereupon the king, having already gained much, became desirous of possessing this most curious object. He summoned the youth and said to him:
“My son, in the pleasure garden of the king of the fairies stands a weeping pomegranate tree, and beside it a laughing bear. If, for her sake, you will bring this tree to me, then will I give my daughter to you with my own hand.”
To which the young prince made modest answer: “Verily, O, king! the other requests have I fulfilled. If Allah grant wisdom and strength, I will bring you, also, this tree.”
Thereupon he took leave of the king and went without the palace. When quite alone he rubbed together the hairs which were wont to bring the horse to his aid. Immediately the beautiful creature appeared and asked the prince what he desired.
This third request of the princess and her father was repeated, to which the horse made answer: “My master, the accomplishment of this feat will [[123]]be somewhat difficult. Nevertheless, if need be, let my life be given for your happiness—for, should you fail, it will mean death to me. But you have lacked neither discretion nor valor in preceding trials. Come! let us see what can be brought about.”
The prince mounted, and, like Asdar, emitting flames from mouth and nostrils, the horse flew upon his way.
After going for some time, they entered another country, where they came upon three children who were disputing, bitterly, over their inheritance, which consisted of a goatskin, a cap, a whip, and an arrow.
The horse came to a halt and said: “These articles are very necessary to us, O, prince! See if you can persuade the children to yield them to you.”
The prince went up to the three. “Children,” he said, “why are you quarreling thus? Would you have me divide the articles between you?”
“Yes, yes!” cried all three.
Taking the arrow, he said: “Look! I will throw this. Whichever of you brings it first, shall have the inheritance.”
All agreed to this proposition of the young stranger.
Then the prince threw the arrow with all the strength of his arm; and, while the children ran off [[124]]in search of it, he laid three gold pieces for each child upon the ground, took the skin, the cap, the whip, remounted the horse, and again was upon his way.
When the children returned and found the gold, they rejoiced greatly.
After going and going, the horse came to the palace of the fairy king, when he said: “My prince—who art now, indeed, a prince—put on the cap, mount upon the goatskin, and strike it with the whip. Thereupon you will arise in the air and descend in the garden, where stands the tree we have come to seek. With one motion you must pull it up by the roots and immediately bring it to me.”
The prince did as directed. After he had struck the goatskin, he became invisible. He arose into the air, sailed slowly until above the garden, when the skin began to descend.
When his feet touched the marble stones he decided to enter the palace, where great was his surprise to see the girl with the scarlet clothing, sitting beside the one who had been a bird the night before.
The newcomer was still invisible; so, approaching, he sat down beside them. After a little, dinner was brought. While those two were eating, their [[125]]invisible guest, being very hungry, sat upon the other side of the table and ate with them. They were surprised to see the food disappear from the other side of the platter.
“Princess,” exclaimed the fairy prince, “my portion is in front of me; yours is before you; but whose is the other?”
And they were lost in astonishment.
When the meal was over, they sat down upon the divan which stood before the window.
Now, the scarlet-robed princess had given an embroidered handkerchief to the fairy prince, which the invisible prince took from the divan and hid in his bosom.
When the two discovered that it was gone, they began searching for it. Everywhere in the room they looked; but nowhere could it be found.
The invisible prince then remounted the goatskin, struck it with his whip, mounted into the air, and sailed out of the window. By this time it was night. As the prince reached the point directly above the pomegranate tree, he seized and pulled it up by the roots.
At this the tree began to cry; and the bear, delighted with the misery of the tree, began to laugh with all its might. So the brave prince suddenly thought that he would like the bear as well. Seizing [[126]]hold of that with his other hand, he ascended into the sky bearing them both.
Within, from the window, the fairy prince and the scarlet-clothed princess saw the tree and the bear ascending, as if without hands. In great frenzy they called to the soldiers:
“Strike! Stand not still!”
And the soldiers, seeing no one whom to attack, became confused and fought one with another. They believed, in the dim light, that an enemy had come upon them. During it all, the two stood at the window, helpless. When they saw the tree disappear, they exclaimed:
“Alas! Alas!”
Then the fairy prince said to the maiden: “It must be he who took the handkerchief you gave me. Now, he has taken the weeping tree. I am become helpless. No longer will I hold you from one so valorous. Marry whom you will!”
“This strange youth has become my fate,” replied the princess.
She went out, mounted her camel, and rode to her father’s palace, where she entered his presence and stood before him with the greatest respect.
Let us come again to the prince.
After securing the tree and the bear, he returned [[127]]to the horse, remounted, and set off for the palace; where he alighted, entered the presence of the king, and set down before him the pomegranate tree, which had been crying all the time. The bear, also, came following behind, laughing merrily at the discomfiture of the tree.
Bowing three times, the prince then straightened himself to his full height. “Behold, O, king; this third object which has been asked of me!”
The king was amused and gratified. He descended from his throne to greet the prince, and cried: “Bravo, my son! You have done exceedingly well. To whom should I give my daughter if not to the one who saved my life from the dragon, who brought the magic mirror, the precious diamond, and who now has added an endless source of amusement by bringing this tree and the bear?”
Then the scarlet-clothed princess drew near, fell upon her knees before her father, and confessed that she had been enchanted by the fairies. She begged her father’s forgiveness for having listened to their approaches, thus giving them power over her. She protested that the spell was broken; that the courage and patience of a true, human prince had won her heart.
So the two were married. And the festivities continued forty days and nights, during which the [[128]]young husband revealed his own station to all who were at the wedding. Upon the forty-first day he took his princess, and set out for the palace of his own father with a retinue. When this was reached, he left his wife and servants without and went within, to seek his mother, the queen.
Great was the joy of those two at meeting. It seemed that they never could lose their embrace. Finally, the queen led her newly found child to the king, where he related all the wonders that had been wrought for him.
The king commanded that the princess be brought. The two were married again, according to the rites of the kingdom, and another festival of forty days and nights was celebrated.
After that, the prince went away one day, rubbed the three hairs, and, when the beautiful steed appeared, fell upon his neck, weeping tears of gratitude and sorrow.
“I return to thee these hairs,” he said, “O, most noble and unselfish creature! Without thy aid I could not have accomplished my happiness, neither that of my adored mother, nor of my honored father. I will not keep the talisman, fearing that some evil person may come into possession of them and ask ignoble things of you, who are most noble. Go! and may Allah be praised for your services!” [[129]]
When the prince returned he sat by himself during the remainder of the day, in deep meditation and grief. But when the evening meal was brought, he permitted his wife and mother to win him from his sad thoughts.
So they all lived happily ever after. [[130]]