The king commanded that the princess be brought. The two were married again, according to the rites of the kingdom, and another festival of forty days and nights was celebrated.
After that, the prince went away one day, rubbed the three hairs, and, when the beautiful steed appeared, fell upon his neck, weeping tears of gratitude and sorrow.
“I return to thee these hairs,” he said, “O, most noble and unselfish creature! Without thy aid I could not have accomplished my happiness, neither that of my adored mother, nor of my honored father. I will not keep the talisman, fearing that some evil person may come into possession of them and ask ignoble things of you, who are most noble. Go! and may Allah be praised for your services!” [[129]]
When the prince returned he sat by himself during the remainder of the day, in deep meditation and grief. But when the evening meal was brought, he permitted his wife and mother to win him from his sad thoughts.
So they all lived happily ever after. [[130]]
STORY OF THE BIRD OF AFFLICTION
The tellers of stories say that, once upon a time, there lived a king who was wise and just. And this king had a daughter who was so very fond of the dowager queen that she was always to be found in her company.
One day, during hour after hour, the queen sat lost in thought. At length, the princess approached and asked of what she was thinking.
“O, my child!” the queen replied, “I have an affliction. It is upon that I am thinking.”