He was filled with these reflections when they arrived at the cavern. The traveller was well taken care of by the Lion. He dined most sumptuously, drank of the best wines, and ate of the most delicious fruits. But while they were discussing the dessert, the same distressing thought came into the Lion's head—"What can I do to retain my dignity and pay the sacred debt I owe my deliverer?"
But he could not think of anything suitable, and the traveller observed it. So he said:
"What is the matter, my friend? You seem disconsolate."
"Nothing," said the Lion. "But you must promise me that you will not leave this place until I return."
"But why?" inquired the traveller.
"You will know later," responded the lion.
"Very well," said the traveller, "here I will remain."
The Lion bounded away, and he was soon in the middle of the forest, looking this way and that, to the right and to the left, in search of something marvellous to give to the traveller, when all of a sudden he saw the young Prince, the Vizier's pupil, who had been exiled, promenading in his castle grounds. On the Prince's head there was a turban, which was ornamented with a superb cluster of diamonds.
"That is the very thing," exclaimed the Lion, and with one bound he seized the Prince and strangled him. Thus was the jeweller avenged, and his diamonds were returned to him. The traveller, who had been robbed and beaten by order of the young Prince and his Vizier, was glad to get his jewels back, and he did not know how to be grateful enough to the Lion, of whom he had formerly been afraid.
The traveller then set out toward the city in hopes of finding his excellent friend Rustem. He hoped, indeed, to spend some time with this philosopher, whom he had rescued, and who had offered to share his house with his benefactor. With a happy heart and a light step the traveller went on his way, and the next morning at the break of day he reached the city where the former Vizier had taken up his abode. In spite of the early hour the streets were crowded, and the squares were filled with people. On all sides the populace spoke to each other in subdued tones, as if some dreadful calamity were pending.