When the caliph had finished telling their story to the owl, she thanked him, and said, "Hear, alas! my history, and you will see that I am not less unhappy than you. My father is the King of India, and I, his only daughter, am named Susa. The enchanter, Kaschnur, who enchanted you, brought me also into misery. He came one day to my father, and desired me for wife for his son Mizra. But my father, who is a quick-tempered person, had him kicked down stairs. The scoundrel contrived to come into my presence again under another form; and once, when I wished to take some refreshments in the garden, he brought to me, in the disguise of a slave, a potion which transformed me into this horrible shape. As I was powerless from fright, he brought me hither, and cried with a terrible voice into my ear,—"
"Here shalt thou remain, ugly and despised even by the beasts, until thy death; or until some one of his own accord shall desire to marry thee, even in this vile shape. Thus I revenge myself on thee and thy proud father."
"Since then, many months have elapsed. Solitary and sad, I live as a hermit in these walls, despised by the whole world, disgusting even to the beasts; the beauties of nature are shut from me, since I am blind by day, and, only when the moon pours her pale light over these walls, does the veil of darkness fall from my eyes."
She ended, and wiped her tears again with her wing, for the narration of her sorrows had caused her to weep.
The caliph pondered deeply on the story of the princess. "If I am not entirely in error," said he, "there is a secret connection between our misfortunes; but where shall I find the key to this riddle?"
The owl answered, "Sir, I have also the same feeling; for it was prophesied to me, in my earliest youth, by a wise woman, that a stork would bring me great good luck; and perhaps I can tell in what manner we may deliver ourselves."
The caliph was much amazed, and asked in what manner she meant. "The enchanter," said she, "who has rendered us both unhappy, comes once every month to these ruins. Not far from this chamber, there is a hall in which he is accustomed to revel with many comrades; I have often watched them there. They relate to each other their villanous deeds, and perhaps he may pronounce the magic word which you have forgotten."
"O dearest Princess," exclaimed the caliph, "tell me when will he come, and where is the hall?"
The owl was silent for a moment, and then said,—
"Do not take it ill, but I can fulfil your wish only on one condition."