The ninth pedestal redoubled this amazement, for it was covered with a piece of white satin, on which were written these words: “Dear son, it cost me much toil to procure these eight statues; but though they are extraordinarily beautiful, you must understand that there is a ninth in the world, which surpasses them all. That alone is worth more than a thousand such as these. If you desire to be master of it, go to the city of Cairo in Egypt. One of my old slaves, whose name is Mobarec, lives there. You will easily find him. Visit him and tell him all that has befallen you. He will conduct you to the place where that wonderful statue is, which you will obtain with safety.”
The young sultan having read these words said to the queen, “I will set out for Grand Cairo; nor do I believe, madam, that you will now oppose my design.”
“No, my son,” answered the queen, “I am not against it.”
The prince made ready his equipage, but would take only a small number of slaves with him.
Nothing remarkable befell him by the way, but arriving at Cairo he inquired for Mobarec. The people told him he was one of the wealthiest inhabitants of the city; that he lived like a great lord, and that his house was open, especially for strangers. Zeyn was conducted thither, knocked at the gate, which a slave opened and demanded, “What is it you want, and who are you?”
“I am a stranger,” answered the prince, “and having heard much of the lord Mobarec’s generosity, am come to take up my lodging with him.”
The slave desired Zeyn to wait while he went to acquaint his master, who ordered him to request the stranger to walk in. The slave returned to the gate and told the prince he was welcome.
Zeyn went in, crossed a large court, and entered a hall magnificently furnished, where Mobarec received him very courteously, returning thanks for the honor he did him in accepting a lodging in his house. The prince, having answered his compliment, said to Mobarec, “I am the son of the late Sultan of Bussorah, and my name is Zeyn Alasnam.”
“That sovereign,” said Mobarec, “was formerly my master; but I never knew he had any children. What is your age?”
“I am twenty years old,” answered the sultan. “How long is it since you left my father’s court?”