Again did she go on and on, from mountain to mountain, weeping bitterly over the loss of her beloved children. She felt in her heart that a return [[195]]to her husband would be futile, because the cruel vizier would have filled his mind with falsehoods. After long wandering she came into her own country, where she disguised herself, and, entering the market place, came upon a shop that was almost in ruins. It belonged to an aged maker of sweets.
After greeting him courteously she asked, “Father, will you take me as an apprentice lad?”
“Ai, my son!” was the sad answer, “look about you and see! I cannot earn sufficient for myself. How can I give wages to another? Besides, with my other woes, I have forgotten how to make the sweets!”
Then the young woman answered gently: “Father, I ask no wages from you. If you will permit, I will work as best I can, and whatever Allah kindly sends to us we will live upon together.”
When the aged vendor of sweets heard these pious words, his heart was touched. “Surely this lad has felt affliction,” he said to himself. Then unto her: “Very well, my son. Come with me, if thou wilt.”
The new apprentice kissed her master’s hand and entered the shop. After a little, she rolled up her sleeves, went to the stove, and began to make candy, as she had done when a little girl in her own [[196]]home. This labor brought such sad thoughts that it was with great difficulty she could refrain from weeping aloud.
When the candy was finished she placed a portion before her master. He tasted a bit and said, in surprise: “Ai, my son! these sweets are very good. Peace be to your hands! May Allah keep you from further harm!”
After this commendation of her work, the apprentice washed off the stone, which served as a counter for the display of the goods, and arranged the sweets upon it. Customers who were passing, paused to note the beauty of the candy-maker’s lad, and, although they had no thought of buying, were impelled to do so. They found the sweets so delicious that all who purchased once were sure to come again. In short, the fame of the candy-maker’s apprentice and of the sweets which she compounded was spread abroad, by those who traveled that way, until it reached all lands.
Let her stay here, engaged in her new work, while we return to the prince.
One day, while thinking of his wife and children, he began—as at other times—to sigh; and the tears fell, like rain, from his eyes. Arousing himself, he sent for his vizier, to whom he said: “My heart [[197]]is breaking for Her Highness, the princess. Surely I must find her or kill myself!”