“Ah, my son,” was her reply, “I have no place to sleep myself. How, then, can I harbor thee?”
Her sense of hospitality was so quickened by the gift of three gold pieces that she conducted the prince to an upper chamber. He then asked for a draught of water; at which the old woman went to the cupboard and brought a jar of water, in the bottom of which lay a finger’s depth of slime. When the prince saw that no beast would taste of such water as had been offered to him he asked:
“How is this, mother, that you offer me such as this with which to quench my thirst?”
Thereupon the old woman made answer: “O, my son! The water of this country is cut off by a huge dragon, who demands every year that a maiden be given to him. During the time that he is tearing her into pieces and eating her, water flows from the spring which supplies this city. At other times we have none. So thou canst see how we suffer. Just now we are hard pressed, because it is the end of the year. To-morrow they will give the king’s daughter to the dragon. Haply, that sacrifice may suffice for all time. And if they do not give her, Allah have mercy! We must all perish!” [[27]]
When the brave young prince heard this he became lost in thought. Very early the next morning he found his way to the fountain, where were great multitudes of people, each with jugs in their hands. Presently slaves appeared leading the king’s daughter, who was dressed in red garments richly adorned. When they had led her to the brink of the fountain they left her there. It was near the time appointed for the appearance of the monster, and the poor young princess was weeping bitterly.
At this pitiable sight the spirit of the young prince became heavy with sorrow. He made a great decision that he would endeavor to rescue the sufferer. Approaching her, he said:
“Fair princess, get thou behind me. Hold fast to me, and have no fear!”
The maiden obeyed gladly. The prince then bent his bow and stood in readiness. Very shortly there appeared in the west a seven-headed dragon. Fire flashed from his mouth and nostrils. The earth trembled as he approached. “Aha!” he cried. “Hitherto hath my portion been one. Now has it become two.” And from half an hour’s distance he tried to draw the prince and the young maiden to him.
But the prince, bracing his feet, stood firmly; and, although the dragon used such force that, had they [[28]]been a mountain, it must have come to his mouth, he could not move them. He came nearer and tried again.
Then the prince took a firmer stand and cried, “Bismillah! Through the power of Allah!” and let fly an arrow which entered the open mouth of the fiend and came through his neck. He leaped three times, then fell with such force as to raise a great cloud of earth about him. So much blood ran from his mouth and nose that the water was hidden quite. But after a few minutes it was washed away, and the water became clearer than it had been before.