The purchaser gave him the money, called a porter, and ordered him to bring the box along with him to his house.
Offering a prayer to Allah for the safety of his child, the vizier, followed by his servant, hastened away; while the porter strapped the box upon his back and then followed the water-carrier, until, in obedience to his direction, he placed it in the young man’s room, where it remained that night.
After the young man had gone out, the next day, to follow his avocation, the vizier’s daughter unlocked the box from within, opened it, stepped out, [[160]]and looked about her. The whole house was in disorder. She was a girl of very tidy habits and decided to make the bed, sweep, and put at rights the whole place generally. This she did and, when the time approached for the return of her young owner, lay down again in her box and locked it from within.
Imagine the surprise of the water-man when he returned in the evening and found everything in delightful order!
“I wonder who has been here?” he thought. Then, being very tired with long walking, he went to bed and slept soundly all that night.
Morning came. “I must get a locksmith to open this walnut box for me,” he said; then went out upon his daily round.
No sooner had he gone than the maiden unlocked the casket, arose, and did as on the day preceding. At evening she lay down in the walnut box, as before.
The young man entered, saw everything in beautiful order, and stood for some time thinking. Then he went to the box and tried the lock. It would not yield.
“If anyone is within, let him come forth!” commanded the water-man.
But, though he waited long, no sound was heard [[161]]in answer. He then went to bed and slept peacefully until morning, when he arose earlier than usual.