THE ANAR PARI, OR POMEGRANATE FAIRY
Once upon a time there was a King who had seven sons, all of whom were married but the youngest.
One day the Queen-mother spoke to her youngest son, and said: “Why are you not married? Do not the maidens of my Court please thee? Perhaps you want what you cannot get, and that is perfection, unless, indeed, you go and seek and marry the Anar Pari, who is the fairest of all fairies, and whose charms are traditional.”
The Prince then and there registered a vow that he would not marry at all unless he found this pearl of great price, and forthwith started on his quest for her.
He put on his armour and five weapons of defence, mounted his favourite steed, and set forth.
He had proceeded a good distance when night fell, and he found himself in a forest near a small hut. Entering it, he found it was occupied by a holy Fakir.
The Fakir said: “My son, why have you come here? Where are you going? And are you not afraid of the wild animals which infest this forest?”
The Prince replied: “Holy Father, I am going on a long journey to try and find the Pomegranate Fairy, so that I may wed her.”
“You are going a long way indeed,” replied the Fakir; “but if you listen to what I tell you, your journey will not be in vain.”
Next morning he called the young man, and told him that he was going to enchant him and turn him into a parrot, so that he might fly to the island on which the fairy was imprisoned, and guarded day and night by seven hundred dreadful dragons. He also told him that on the island he would find a pomegranate tree with three pomegranates on it, of which he was to pluck and bring away the middle one, for in it dwelt the fairy he was so anxious to find.