"Suddenly Mustapha the gourd as he lay in his basket heard the voice of his beloved Lelie who was fanning the Princess.
"This so moved poor Mustapha that he cried aloud,
"'Allah! I hear my love!' and so saying rolled from the basket and fell at Lelie's feet.
"'Mahomet!' cried the Princess. 'The thing is bewitched! take it away!'
"But as for Lelie the words were as sweet music to her, and seizing the gourd she placed it tenderly in the basket and carried it to her room. Here she implored it with tears to speak again, but in vain; so that at last she was forced to leave it and return to the Princess.
"Soon after she had gone Mustapha was aware of a rose-colored cloud in the room, out of which grew into shape the form of a huge Genie which thus addressed him.
"'Know, frail mortal, that I am your guardian spirit. I have heard with pity of your sad fate and am come to give you a chance for life again. Perhaps what I shall do for you may render your position better. Unluckily I cannot give to you once more your mortal shape.'
"With these words the figure inclined towards him gravely and touched his yellow cheek. He shuddered and lost consciousness.
"What next was his amazement to find himself standing in the shop of Harim, the merchant. Presently he began to look at himself with curious care. He had a gold head like that of a bird, with ruby eyes. His neck was of satin wood, long and slim, while his clothes which were stiffened with whalebone and wire, resembled petticoats upside down.
"'Allah il Allah!' cried he, 'What an existence!'