When a year had passed the second son asked that he be allowed to kill the monster. His ill fortune was like unto that of his brother. At the end of another year the youngest prince came into his father’s presence.
“If your majesty only consent,” he pleaded, “I will go and kill this evil creature who trespasses upon your private grounds.”
But the king was loath to let his favorite son rush into danger, and demurred, saying: “If thy brothers [[20]]could not accomplish this hazardous undertaking how canst thou hope to do it? Alas! thou wilt surely perish.”
Nevertheless, upon the pleading of the boy, permission was granted him. The grateful young prince placed the Koran in his bosom, took a poisoned arrow in his hand, and sought a secluded spot in the garden.
Exactly at midnight there was an earthquake, after which appeared a dense cloud, out of which emerged the seven-headed genie and approached the tree which bore the precious fruit.
“By the power of Allah!” cried the young prince as he threw the poisoned arrow. It passed through all the seven heads of the monster, who, uttering a cry that made the earth to tremble, sank upon the ground.
The prince gathered the apples, ran with them to his father, and told what he had done.
“Brave art thou, my son!” cried the king. “I perceive that thou hast great courage.”
But the prince was not content. Kissing the ground before his father, he asked permission to remove the body of the genie from off the face of the earth. And, although the king had grave fears for his son’s safety, he was persuaded to yield consent. [[21]]