Thus was the maiden defeated. After this, whoever wished to bring wheat brought it, and there was plenty in that kingdom.
The people of the country fell down and kissed the knees of the prince, saying: ‘We beseech thee, be our king.’ But he would not, and replied: ‘I am come on other business, I wish for nothing but to find a certain slipper,’ and he told his tale. The slipper could not be found, so he arose and left that land.
He went on again and came into another country. Here he learnt that a beautiful maiden had killed the king’s son, who was buried in a vault. Every night the maiden came there and beat him with twigs. When she did this he came back to life, they supped together, and passed the time merrily until morning, when she again beat him with twigs. Then he became a corpse, and she flew away.
When the prince heard this tale, he went to aid the unfortunate youth. He entered the tomb and waited. Behold, a lovely damsel flew down, took twigs from her pocket, and beat the king’s son until he came back to life; they supped and made merry until morning. As she was about to beat the youth and kill him again, the prince snatched the twigs from her hand; so the king’s son lived. Then the prince took him away, and led him to his father.
Here, too, the prince was offered the throne, but he did not wish to be king. ‘If I could find a certain golden slipper, I should be happy,’ said he; ‘I must go forth and seek it.’ And he set forth on his quest again.
When he had gone some way, he came to a wide plain. He presently saw a beautiful house, and said to himself: ‘I wonder who lives there,’ and he went on towards the house. On the way he saw an Arab feeding some mules, and said: ‘Canst thou tell me whose house that is, brother?’ The Arab looked round about and replied: ‘Shall I swallow thee head first or feet first?’ ‘I asked thee about the house, why wilt thou not answer?’ said the prince. Again the Arab stared round and said: ‘Shall I swallow thee by the head or by the feet?’ ‘As to the matter of swallowing, I shall soon show thee what I shall do,’ said the prince, giving the Arab such a blow that it sent him over nine mountains. Then he struck the mules, and went to the house.
He wandered all round it, and was much delighted with its appearance. Then he went inside through a window, and visited every room. In one of these he saw a golden throne, and on it were golden slippers like the one he sought. He said to himself: ‘Perhaps this is the house of the fair damsel who gave me the slipper. I shall wait and see what happens.’ He sat under the throne and waited.
Soon after, there flew in a beautiful maiden, then another, yet a third, and at last the Arab. They sat down to eat. In the twinkling of an eye the Arab laid the cloth for the sisters, and whatever heart or soul could wish was spread upon it.
After a short time the eldest sister took wine and said: ‘May God grant long life to the youth who took from me the handkerchief and the golden slipper.’ She drank, and put the bowl down.
Then the second sister took it and said: ‘Long life to the youth who snatched the rings from my hand, and gave wheat to a kingdom.’ She drank, and put the bowl down.