Now let us come to the princess.
In one day the strange horse brought his rider into a country whose distance was a six months’ journey from her own kingdom. Here he stopped and said to her:
“Sultana, this much of your rescue have I been able to accomplish for you. I can go no farther. Hereafter you must save yourself.”
At this the princess, realizing her lonely condition, dismounted, saying: “O, my beautiful deliverer! First, it was Allah who saved me, then he sent me to you, and now I am left to myself. I will go on; but if danger befall me, what am I to do?” As she spoke tears gathered in her eyes. [[103]]
The horse answered: “Ai, sultana! take three hairs from the forelock which hangs over my eyes. Should trouble perplex you, rub them together and I will come to your aid.”
The princess took the hairs, gratefully, and put them in her bosom. Then, flinging her arms about the horse’s neck, she thanked him for all he had done to help her and bade him adieu.
As she withdrew her arms, he disappeared.
The princess traveled on and on, until she entered another country. It was evening. Before her stood a grand palace, at the side of which was a large kitchen. Hastily removing the marks of royalty from her clothing, she entered and asked of the cooks: “My masters, will you take me as an assistant?”
But they were in haste and answered her roughly: “Are you blind? Can’t you see that we are up to our elbows in work? What should we do with a lad like you?”
However, with all the persuasion at her command, she entreated to be allowed to try; and, finally, was accepted and set to running of errands, upstairs and down. After a little, she asked one of the men why they were cooking such enormous quantities of food and in such haste.