“Madam,” answered Zeyn, “Heaven is my witness that I more than once had nearly broken my word with the Sultan of the Genii by keeping you myself. Whatever be the value of a diamond statue, it is worth the satisfaction of having you mine? I love you above all the diamonds and wealth in the world.”
Just as he had done speaking, a clap of thunder was heard, which shook the subterraneous place. Zeyn’s mother was alarmed, but the Sultan of the Genii immediately appearing dispelled her fear. “Madam,” said he to her, “I protect and love your son. I had a mind to try, whether, at his age, he could subdue himself. This is the ninth statue I designed for him. It is more rare and precious than the others. Live happy, Zeyn, with this your wife,” said he, directing his discourse to the young prince, “and if you would have her true and constant to you, love her always and love her only.”
Having spoken these words, the Sultan of the Genii vanished, and Zeyn, enchanted with the young lady, the same day caused her to be proclaimed Queen of Bussorah, over which they reigned in mutual happiness to an advanced age.
THE DYED JACKAL
Once upon a time a Jackal, who was prowling around the suburbs of a town, fell into an indigo-tank. He found that he was unable to get out of this, and so lay down as though he were dead.
In due time the dyer came to the tank, and finding what he supposed to be a dead Jackal, took him out and threw him into the jungle.
When the dyer was far enough away the Jackal scrambled to his feet, and looking himself over found his color changed to a beautiful blue.
“Now,” he said to himself, “I am certainly much prettier than I was before; why should not this accident prove to be a good thing for me. When the other jackals see my wonderful color, it should be easy for me to persuade them that I should be their king.”
So he got the jackals of the jungle together, and said to them: “Good people, the Goddess of the Wood has anointed me king. Behold the hue of royalty! And after this do no business without my permission.”