once upon a time there reigned over persia a sultan named kosrouschah, who from his boyhood had been fond of putting on a disguise and seeking adventures in all parts of the city, accompanied by one of his officers, disguised like himself. and no sooner was his father buried and the ceremonies over that marked his accession to the throne, than the young man hastened to throw off his robes of state, and calling to his vizir to make ready likewise, stole out in the simple dress of a private citizen into the less known streets of the capital.

passing down a lonely street, the sultan heard women's voices in loud discussion; and peeping through a crack in the door, he saw three sisters, sitting on a sofa in a large hall, talking in a very lively and earnest manner. judging from the few words that reached his ear, they were each explaining what sort of men they wished to marry.

"i ask nothing better," cried the eldest, "than to have the sultan's baker for a husband. think of being able to eat as much as one wanted, of that delicious bread that is baked for his highness alone! let us see if your wish is as good as mine."

"i," replied the second sister, "should be quite content with the sultan's head cook. what delicate stews i should feast upon! and, as i am persuaded that the sultan's bread is used all through the palace, i should have that into the bargain. you see, my dear sister, my taste is as good as yours."

it was now the turn of the youngest sister, who was by far the most beautiful of the three, and had, besides, more sense than the other two. "as for me," she said, "i should take a higher flight; and if we are to wish for husbands, nothing less than the sultan himself will do for me."

the sultan was so much amused by the conversation he had overheard, that he made up his mind to gratify their wishes, and turning to the grand-vizir, he bade him note the house, and on the following morning to bring the ladies into his presence.

the grand-vizir fulfilled his commission, and hardly giving them time to change their dresses, desired the three sisters to follow him to the palace. here they were presented one by one, and when they had bowed before the sultan, the sovereign abruptly put the question to them:

"tell me, do you remember what you wished for last night, when you were making merry? fear nothing, but answer me the truth."

these words, which were so unexpected, threw the sisters into great confusion, their eyes fell, and the blushes of the youngest did not fail to make an impression on the heart of the sultan. all three remained silent, and he hastened to continue: "do not be afraid, i have not the slightest intention of giving you pain, and let me tell you at once, that i know the wishes formed by each one. you," he said, turning to the youngest, "who desired to have me for an husband, shall be satisfied this very day. and you," he added, addressing himself to the other two, "shall be married at the same moment to my baker and to my chief cook."

when the sultan had finished speaking the three sisters flung themselves at his feet, and the youngest faltered out, "oh, sire, since you know my foolish words, believe, i pray you, that they were only said in joke. i am unworthy of the honour you propose to do me, and i can only ask pardon for my boldness."

the other sisters also tried to excuse themselves, but the sultan would hear nothing.

"no, no," he said, "my mind is made up. your wishes shall be accomplished."

so the three weddings were celebrated that same day, but with a great difference. that of the youngest was marked by all the magnificence that was customary at the marriage of the shah of persia, while the festivities attending the nuptials of the sultan's baker and his chief cook were only such as were suitable to their conditions.

this, though quite natural, was highly displeasing to the elder sisters, who fell into a passion of jealousy, which in the end caused a great deal of trouble and pain to several people. and the first time that they had the opportunity of speaking to each other, which was not till several days later at a public bath, they did not attempt to disguise their feelings.

"can you possibly understand what the sultan saw in that little cat," said one to the other, "for him to be so fascinated by her?"

"he must be quite blind," returned the wife of the chief cook. "as for her looking a little younger than we do, what does that matter? you would have made a far better sultana than she."

"oh, i say nothing of myself," replied the elder, "and if the sultan had chosen you it would have been all very well; but it really grieves me that he should have selected a wretched little creature like that. however, i will be revenged on her somehow, and i beg you will give me your help in the matter, and to tell me anything that you can think of that is likely to mortify her."

in order to carry out their wicked scheme the two sisters met constantly to talk over their ideas, though all the while they pretended to be as friendly as ever towards the sultana, who, on her part, invariably treated them with kindness. for a long time no plan occurred to the two plotters that seemed in the least likely to meet with success, but at length the expected birth of an heir gave them the chance for which they had been hoping.

they obtained permission of the sultan to take up their abode in the palace for some weeks, and never left their sister night or day. when at last a little boy, beautiful as the sun, was born, they laid him in his cradle and carried it down to a canal which passed through the grounds of the palace. then, leaving it to its fate, they informed the sultan that instead of the son he had so fondly desired the sultana had given birth to a puppy. at this dreadful news the sultan was so overcome with rage and grief that it was with great difficulty that the grand-vizir managed to save the sultana from his wrath.

meanwhile the cradle continued to float peacefully along the canal till, on the outskirts of the royal gardens, it was suddenly perceived by the intendant, one of the highest and most respected officials in the kingdom.

"go," he said to a gardener who was working near, "and get that cradle out for me."

the gardener did as he was bid, and soon placed the cradle in the hands of the intendant.

the official was much astonished to see that the cradle, which he had supposed to be empty, contained a baby, which, young though it was, already gave promise of great beauty. having no children himself, although he had been married some years, it at once occurred to him that here was a child which he could take and bring up as his own. and, bidding the man pick up the cradle and follow him, he turned towards home.

"my wife," he exclaimed as he entered the room, "heaven has denied us any children, but here is one that has been sent in their place. send for a nurse, and i will do what is needful publicly to recognise it as my son."

the wife accepted the baby with joy, and though the intendant saw quite well that it must have come from the royal palace, he did not think it was his business to inquire further into the mystery.

the following year another prince was born and sent adrift, but happily for the baby, the intendant of the gardens again was walking by the canal, and carried it home as before.

the sultan, naturally enough, was still more furious the second time than the first, but when the same curious accident was repeated in the third year he could control himself no longer, and, to the great joy of the jealous sisters, commanded that the sultana should be executed. but the poor lady was so much beloved at court that not even the dread of sharing her fate could prevent the grand-vizir and the courtiers from throwing themselves at the sultan's feet and imploring him not to inflict so cruel a punishment for what, after all, was not her fault.

"let her live," entreated the grand-vizir, "and banish her from your presence for the rest of her days. that in itself will be punishment enough."

his first passion spent, the sultan had regained his self-command. "let her live then," he said, "since you have it so much at heart. but if i grant her life it shall only be on one condition, which shall make her daily pray for death. let a box be built for her at the door of the principal mosque, and let the window of the box be always open. there she shall sit, in the coarsest clothes, and every mussulman who enters the mosque shall spit in her face in passing. anyone that refuses to obey shall be exposed to the same punishment himself. you, vizir, will see that my orders are carried out."

the grand-vizir saw that it was useless to say more, and, full of triumph, the sisters watched the building of the box, and then listened to the jeers of the people at the helpless sultana sitting inside. but the poor lady bore herself with so much dignity and meekness that it was not long before she had won the sympathy of those that were best among the crowd.

but it is now time to return to the fate of the third baby, this time a princess. like its brothers, it was found by the intendant of the gardens, and adopted by him and his wife, and all three were brought up with the greatest care and tenderness.

as the children grew older their beauty and air of distinction became more and more marked, and their manners had all the grace and ease that is proper to people of high birth. the princes had been named by their foster-father bahman and perviz, after two of the ancient kings of persia, while the princess was called parizade, or the child of the genii.

the intendant was careful to bring them up as befitted their real rank, and soon appointed a tutor to teach the young princes how to read and write. and the princess, determined not to be left behind, showed herself so anxious to learn with her brothers, that the intendant consented to her joining in their lessons, and it was not long before she knew as much as they did.

from that time all their studies were done in common. they had the best masters for the fine arts, geography, poetry, history and science, and even for sciences which are learned by few, and every branch seemed so easy to them, that their teachers were astonished at the progress they made. the princess had a passion for music, and could sing and play upon all sorts of instruments she could also ride and drive as well as her brothers, shoot with a bow and arrow, and throw a javelin with the same skill as they, and sometimes even better.

in order to set off these accomplishments, the intendant resolved that his foster children should not be pent up any longer in the narrow borders of the palace gardens, where he had always lived, so he bought a splendid country house a few miles from the capital, surrounded by an immense park. this park he filled with wild beasts of various sorts, so that the princes and princess might hunt as much as they pleased.

when everything was ready, the intendant threw himself at the sultan's feet, and after referring to his age and his long services, begged his highness's permission to resign his post. this was granted by the sultan in a few gracious words, and he then inquired what reward he could give to his faithful servant. but the intendant declared that he wished for nothing except the continuance of his highness's favour, and prostrating himself once more, he retired from the sultan's presence.

five or six months passed away in the pleasures of the country, when death attacked the intendant so suddenly that he had no time to reveal the secret of their birth to his adopted children, and as his wife had long been dead also, it seemed as if the princes and the princess would never know that they had been born to a higher station than the one they filled. their sorrow for their father was very deep, and they lived quietly on in their new home, without feeling any desire to leave it for court gaieties or intrigues.

one day the princes as usual went out to hunt, but their sister remained alone in her apartments. while they were gone an old mussulman devotee appeared at the door, and asked leave to enter, as it was the hour of prayer. the princess sent orders at once that the old woman was to be taken to the private oratory in the grounds, and when she had finished her prayers was to be shown the house and gardens, and then to be brought before her.

although the old woman was very pious, she was not at all indifferent to the magnificence of all around her, which she seemed to understand as well as to admire, and when she had seen it all she was led by the servants before the princess, who was seated in a room which surpassed in splendour all the rest.

"my good woman," said the princess pointing to a sofa, "come and sit beside me. i am delighted at the opportunity of speaking for a few moments with so holy a person." the old woman made some objections to so much honour being done her, but the princess refused to listen, and insisted that her guest should take the best seat, and as she thought she must be tired ordered refreshments.

while the old woman was eating, the princess put several questions to her as to her mode of life, and the pious exercises she practiced, and then inquired what she thought of the house now that she had seen it.

"madam," replied the pilgrim, "one must be hard indeed to please to find any fault. it is beautiful, comfortable and well ordered, and it is impossible to imagine anything more lovely than the garden. but since you ask me, i must confess that it lacks three things to make it absolutely perfect."

"and what can they be?" cried the princess. "only tell me, and i will lose no time in getting them."

"the three things, madam," replied the old woman, "are, first, the talking bird, whose voice draws all other singing birds to it, to join in chorus. and second, the singing tree, where every leaf is a song that is never silent. and lastly the golden water, of which it is only needful to pour a single drop into a basin for it to shoot up into a fountain, which will never be exhausted, nor will the basin ever overflow."

"oh, how can i thank you," cried the princess, "for telling me of such treasures! but add, i pray you, to your goodness by further informing me where i can find them."

"madam," replied the pilgrim, "i should ill repay the hospitality you have shown me if i refused to answer your question. the three things of which i have spoken are all to be found in one place, on the borders of this kingdom, towards india. your messenger has only to follow the road that passes by your house, for twenty days, and at the end of that time, he is to ask the first person he meets for the talking bird, the singing tree, and the golden water." she then rose, and bidding farewell to the princess, went her way.

the old woman had taken her departure so abruptly that the princess parizade did not perceive till she was really gone that the directions were hardly clear enough to enable the search to be successful. and she was still thinking of the subject, and how delightful it would be to possess such rarities, when the princes, her brothers, returned from the chase.

"what is the matter, my sister?" asked prince bahman; "why are you so grave? are you ill? or has anything happened?"

princess parizade did not answer directly, but at length she raised her eyes, and replied that there was nothing wrong.

"but there must be something," persisted prince bahman, "for you to have changed so much during the short time we have been absent. hide nothing from us, i beseech you, unless you wish us to believe that the confidence we have always had in one another is now to cease."

"when i said that it was nothing," said the princess, moved by his words, "i meant that it was nothing that affected you, although i admit that it is certainly of some importance to me. like myself, you have always thought this house that our father built for us was perfect in every respect, but only to-day i have learned that three things are still lacking to complete it. these are the talking bird, the singing tree, and the golden water." after explaining the peculiar qualities of each, the princess continued: "it was a mussulman devotee who told me all this, and where they might all be found. perhaps you will think that the house is beautiful enough as it is, and that we can do quite well without them; but in this i cannot agree with you, and i shall never be content until i have got them. so counsel me, i pray, whom to send on the undertaking."

"my dear sister," replied prince bahman, "that you should care about the matter is quite enough, even if we took no interest in it ourselves. but we both feel with you, and i claim, as the elder, the right to make the first attempt, if you will tell me where i am to go, and what steps i am to take."

prince perviz at first objected that, being the head of the family, his brother ought not to be allowed to expose himself to danger; but prince bahman would hear nothing, and retired to make the needful preparations for his journey.

the next morning prince bahman got up very early, and after bidding farewell to his brother and sister, mounted his horse. but just as he was about to touch it with his whip, he was stopped by a cry from the princess.

"oh, perhaps after all you may never come back; one never can tell what accidents may happen. give it up, i implore you, for i would a thousand times rather lose the talking bird, and the singing tree and the golden water, than that you should run into danger."

"my dear sister," answered the prince, "accidents only happen to unlucky people, and i hope that i am not one of them. but as everything is uncertain, i promise you to be very careful. take this knife," he continued, handing her one that hung sheathed from his belt, "and every now and then draw it out and look at it. as long as it keeps bright and clean as it is to-day, you will know that i am living; but if the blade is spotted with blood, it will be a sign that i am dead, and you shall weep for me."

so saying, prince bahman bade them farewell once more, and started on the high road, well mounted and fully armed. for twenty days he rode straight on, turning neither to the right hand nor to the left, till he found himself drawing near the frontiers of persia. seated under a tree by the wayside he noticed a hideous old man, with a long white moustache, and beard that almost fell to his feet. his nails had grown to an enormous length, and on his head he wore a huge hat, which served him for an umbrella.

prince bahman, who, remembering the directions of the old woman, had been since sunrise on the look-out for some one, recognised the old man at once to be a dervish. he dismounted from his horse, and bowed low before the holy man, saying by way of greeting, "my father, may your days be long in the land, and may all your wishes be fulfilled!"

the dervish did his best to reply, but his moustache was so thick that his words were hardly intelligible, and the prince, perceiving what was the matter, took a pair of scissors from his saddle pockets, and requested permission to cut off some of the moustache, as he had a question of great importance to ask the dervish. the dervish made a sign that he might do as he liked, and when a few inches of his hair and beard had been pruned all round the prince assured the holy man that he would hardly believe how much younger he looked. the dervish smiled at his compliments, and thanked him for what he had done.

"let me," he said, "show you my gratitude for making me more comfortable by telling me what i can do for you."

"gentle dervish," replied prince bahman, "i come from far, and i seek the talking bird, the singing tree, and the golden water. i know that they are to be found somewhere in these parts, but i am ignorant of the exact spot. tell me, i pray you, if you can, so that i may not have travelled on a useless quest." while he was speaking, the prince observed a change in the countenance of the dervish, who waited for some time before he made reply.

"my lord," he said at last, "i do know the road for which you ask, but your kindness and the friendship i have conceived for you make me loth to point it out."

"but why not?" inquired the prince. "what danger can there be?"

"the very greatest danger," answered the dervish. "other men, as brave as you, have ridden down this road, and have put me that question. i did my best to turn them also from their purpose, but it was of no use. not one of them would listen to my words, and not one of them came back. be warned in time, and seek to go no further."

"i am grateful to you for your interest in me," said prince bahman, "and for the advice you have given, though i cannot follow it. but what dangers can there be in the adventure which courage and a good sword cannot meet?"

"and suppose," answered the dervish, "that your enemies are invisible, how then?"

"nothing will make me give it up," replied the prince, "and for the last time i ask you to tell me where i am to go."

when the dervish saw that the prince's mind was made up, he drew a ball from a bag that lay near him, and held it out. "if it must be so," he said, with a sigh, "take this, and when you have mounted your horse throw the ball in front of you. it will roll on till it reaches the foot of a mountain, and when it stops you will stop also. you will then throw the bridle on your horse's neck without any fear of his straying, and will dismount. on each side you will see vast heaps of big black stones, and will hear a multitude of insulting voices, but pay no heed to them, and, above all, beware of ever turning your head. if you do, you will instantly become a black stone like the rest. for those stones are in reality men like yourself, who have been on the same quest, and have failed, as i fear that you may fail also. if you manage to avoid this pitfall, and to reach the top of the mountain, you will find there the talking bird in a splendid cage, and you can ask of him where you are to seek the singing tree and the golden water. that is all i have to say. you know what you have to do, and what to avoid, but if you are wise you will think of it no more, but return whence you have come."

the prince smilingly shook his head, and thanking the dervish once more, he sprang on his horse and threw the ball before him.

the ball rolled along the road so fast that prince bahman had much difficulty in keeping up with it, and it never relaxed its speed till the foot of the mountain was reached. then it came to a sudden halt, and the prince at once got down and flung the bridle on his horse's neck. he paused for a moment and looked round him at the masses of black stones with which the sides of the mountain were covered, and then began resolutely to ascend. he had hardly gone four steps when he heard the sound of voices around him, although not another creature was in sight.

"who is this imbecile?" cried some, "stop him at once." "kill him," shrieked others, "help! robbers! murderers! help! help!" "oh, let him alone," sneered another, and this was the most trying of all, "he is such a beautiful young man; i am sure the bird and the cage must have been kept for him."

at first the prince took no heed to all this clamour, but continued to press forward on his way. unfortunately this conduct, instead of silencing the voices, only seemed to irritate them the more, and they arose with redoubled fury, in front as well as behind. after some time he grew bewildered, his knees began to tremble, and finding himself in the act of falling, he forgot altogether the advice of the dervish. he turned to fly down the mountain, and in one moment became a black stone.

as may be imagined, prince perviz and his sister were all this time in the greatest anxiety, and consulted the magic knife, not once but many times a day. hitherto the blade had remained bright and spotless, but on the fatal hour on which prince bahman and his horse were changed into black stones, large drops of blood appeared on the surface. "ah! my beloved brother," cried the princess in horror, throwing the knife from her, "i shall never see you again, and it is i who have killed you. fool that i was to listen to the voice of that temptress, who probably was not speaking the truth. what are the talking bird and the singing tree to me in comparison with you, passionately though i long for them!"

prince perviz's grief at his brother's loss was not less than that of princess parizade, but he did not waste his time on useless lamentations.

"my sister," he said, "why should you think the old woman was deceiving you about these treasures, and what would have been her object in doing so! no, no, our brother must have met his death by some accident, or want of precaution, and to-morrow i will start on the same quest."

terrified at the thought that she might lose her only remaining brother, the princess entreated him to give up his project, but he remained firm. before setting out, however, he gave her a chaplet of a hundred pearls, and said, "when i am absent, tell this over daily for me. but if you should find that the beads stick, so that they will not slip one after the other, you will know that my brother's fate has befallen me. still, we must hope for better luck."

then he departed, and on the twentieth day of his journey fell in with the dervish on the same spot as prince bahman had met him, and began to question him as to the place where the talking bird, the singing tree and the golden water were to be found. as in the case of his brother, the dervish tried to make him give up his project, and even told him that only a few weeks since a young man, bearing a strong resemblance to himself, had passed that way, but had never come back again.

"that, holy dervish," replied prince perviz, "was my elder brother, who is now dead, though how he died i cannot say."

"he is changed into a black stone," answered the dervish, "like all the rest who have gone on the same errand, and you will become one likewise if you are not more careful in following my directions." then he charged the prince, as he valued his life, to take no heed of the clamour of voices that would pursue him up the mountain, and handing him a ball from the bag, which still seemed to be half full, he sent him on his way.

when prince perviz reached the foot of the mountain he jumped from his horse, and paused for a moment to recall the instructions the dervish had given him. then he strode boldly on, but had scarcely gone five or six paces when he was startled by a man's voice that seemed close to his ear, exclaiming: "stop, rash fellow, and let me punish your audacity." this outrage entirely put the dervish's advice out of the prince's head. he drew his sword, and turned to avenge himself, but almost before he had realised that there was nobody there, he and his horse were two black stones.

not a morning had passed since prince perviz had ridden away without princess parizade telling her beads, and at night she even hung them round her neck, so that if she woke she could assure herself at once of her brother's safety. she was in the very act of moving them through her fingers at the moment that the prince fell a victim to his impatience, and her heart sank when the first pearl remained fixed in its place. however she had long made up her mind what she would do in such a case, and the following morning the princess, disguised as a man, set out for the mountain.

as she had been accustomed to riding from her childhood, she managed to travel as many miles daily as her brothers had done, and it was, as before, on the twentieth day that she arrived at the place where the dervish was sitting. "good dervish," she said politely, "will you allow me to rest by you for a few moments, and perhaps you will be so kind as to tell me if you have ever heard of a talking bird, a singing tree, and some golden water that are to be found somewhere near this?"

"madam," replied the dervish, "for in spite of your manly dress your voice betrays you, i shall be proud to serve you in any way i can. but may i ask the purpose of your question?"

"good dervish," answered the princess, "i have heard such glowing descriptions of these three things, that i cannot rest till i possess them."

"madam," said the dervish, "they are far more beautiful than any description, but you seem ignorant of all the difficulties that stand in your way, or you would hardly have undertaken such an adventure. give it up, i pray you, and return home, and do not ask me to help you to a cruel death."

"holy father," answered the princess, "i come from far, and i should be in despair if i turned back without having attained my object. you have spoken of difficulties; tell me, i entreat you, what they are, so that i may know if i can overcome them, or see if they are beyond my strength."

so the dervish repeated his tale, and dwelt more firmly than before on the clamour of the voices, the horrors of the black stones, which were once living men, and the difficulties of climbing the mountain; and pointed out that the chief means of success was never to look behind till you had the cage in your grasp.

"as far as i can see," said the princess, "the first thing is not to mind the tumult of the voices that follow you till you reach the cage, and then never to look behind. as to this, i think i have enough self-control to look straight before me; but as it is quite possible that i might be frightened by the voices, as even the boldest men have been, i will stop up my ears with cotton, so that, let them make as much noise as they like, i shall hear nothing."

"madam," cried the dervish, "out of all the number who have asked me the way to the mountain, you are the first who has ever suggested such a means of escaping the danger! it is possible that you may succeed, but all the same, the risk is great."

"good dervish," answered the princess, "i feel in my heart that i shall succeed, and it only remains for me to ask you the way i am to go."

then the dervish said that it was useless to say more, and he gave her the ball, which she flung before her.

the first thing the princess did on arriving at the mountain was to stop her ears with cotton, and then, making up her mind which was the best way to go, she began her ascent. in spite of the cotton, some echoes of the voices reached her ears, but not so as to trouble her. indeed, though they grew louder and more insulting the higher she climbed, the princess only laughed, and said to herself that she certainly would not let a few rough words stand between her and the goal. at last she perceived in the distance the cage and the bird, whose voice joined itself in tones of thunder to those of the rest: "return, return! never dare to come near me."

at the sight of the bird, the princess hastened her steps, and without vexing herself at the noise which by this time had grown deafening, she walked straight up to the cage, and seizing it, she said: "now, my bird, i have got you, and i shall take good care that you do not escape." as she spoke she took the cotton from her ears, for it was needed no longer.

"brave lady," answered the bird, "do not blame me for having joined my voice to those who did their best to preserve my freedom. although confined in a cage, i was content with my lot, but if i must become a slave, i could not wish for a nobler mistress than one who has shown so much constancy, and from this moment i swear to serve you faithfully. some day you will put me to the proof, for i know who you are better than you do yourself. meanwhile, tell me what i can do, and i will obey you."

"bird," replied the princess, who was filled with a joy that seemed strange to herself when she thought that the bird had cost her the lives of both her brothers, "bird, let me first thank you for your good will, and then let me ask you where the golden water is to be found."

the bird described the place, which was not far distant, and the princess filled a small silver flask that she had brought with her for the purpose. she then returned to the cage, and said: "bird, there is still something else, where shall i find the singing tree?"

"behind you, in that wood," replied the bird, and the princess wandered through the wood, till a sound of the sweetest voices told her she had found what she sought. but the tree was tall and strong, and it was hopeless to think of uprooting it.

"you need not do that," said the bird, when she had returned to ask counsel. "break off a twig, and plant it in your garden, and it will take root, and grow into a magnificent tree."

when the princess parizade held in her hands the three wonders promised her by the old woman, she said to the bird: "all that is not enough. it was owing to you that my brothers became black stones. i cannot tell them from the mass of others, but you must know, and point them out to me, i beg you, for i wish to carry them away."

for some reason that the princess could not guess these words seemed to displease the bird, and he did not answer. the princess waited a moment, and then continued in severe tones, "have you forgotten that you yourself said that you are my slave to do my bidding, and also that your life is in my power?"

"no, i have not forgotten," replied the bird, "but what you ask is very difficult. however, i will do my best. if you look round," he went on, "you will see a pitcher standing near. take it, and, as you go down the mountain, scatter a little of the water it contains over every black stone and you will soon find your two brothers."

princess parizade took the pitcher, and, carrying with her besides the cage the twig and the flask, returned down the mountain side. at every black stone she stopped and sprinkled it with water, and as the water touched it the stone instantly became a man. when she suddenly saw her brothers before her her delight was mixed with astonishment.

"why, what are you doing here?" she cried.

"we have been asleep," they said.

"yes," returned the princess, "but without me your sleep would probably have lasted till the day of judgment. have you forgotten that you came here in search of the talking bird, the singing tree, and the golden water, and the black stones that were heaped up along the road? look round and see if there is one left. these gentlemen, and yourselves, and all your horses were changed into these stones, and i have delivered you by sprinkling you with the water from this pitcher. as i could not return home without you, even though i had gained the prizes on which i had set my heart, i forced the talking bird to tell me how to break the spell."

on hearing these words prince bahman and prince perviz understood all they owed their sister, and the knights who stood by declared themselves her slaves and ready to carry out her wishes. but the princess, while thanking them for their politeness, explained that she wished for no company but that of her brothers, and that the rest were free to go where they would.

so saying the princess mounted her horse, and, declining to allow even prince bahman to carry the cage with the talking bird, she entrusted him with the branch of the singing tree, while prince perviz took care of the flask containing the golden water.

then they rode away, followed by the knights and gentlemen, who begged to be permitted to escort them.

it had been the intention of the party to stop and tell their adventures to the dervish, but they found to their sorrow that he was dead, whether from old age, or whether from the feeling that his task was done, they never knew.

as they continued their road their numbers grew daily smaller, for the knights turned off one by one to their own homes, and only the brothers and sister finally drew up at the gate of the palace.

the princess carried the cage straight into the garden, and, as soon as the bird began to sing, nightingales, larks, thrushes, finches, and all sorts of other birds mingled their voices in chorus. the branch she planted in a corner near the house, and in a few days it had grown into a great tree. as for the golden water it was poured into a great marble basin specially prepared for it, and it swelled and bubbled and then shot up into the air in a fountain twenty feet high.

the fame of these wonders soon spread abroad, and people came from far and near to see and admire.

after a few days prince bahman and prince perviz fell back into their ordinary way of life, and passed most of their time hunting. one day it happened that the sultan of persia was also hunting in the same direction, and, not wishing to interfere with his sport, the young men, on hearing the noise of the hunt approaching, prepared to retire, but, as luck would have it, they turned into the very path down which the sultan was coming. they threw themselves from their horses and prostrated themselves to the earth, but the sultan was curious to see their faces, and commanded them to rise.

the princes stood up respectfully, but quite at their ease, and the sultan looked at them for a few moments without speaking, then he asked who they were and where they lived.

"sire," replied prince bahman, "we are sons of your highness's late intendant of the gardens, and we live in a house that he built a short time before his death, waiting till an occasion should offer itself to serve your highness."

"you seem fond of hunting," answered the sultan.

"sire," replied prince bahman, "it is our usual exercise, and one that should be neglected by no man who expects to comply with the ancient customs of the kingdom and bear arms."

the sultan was delighted with this remark, and said at once, "in that case i shall take great pleasure in watching you. come, choose what sort of beasts you would like to hunt."

the princes jumped on their horses and followed the sultan at a little distance. they had not gone very far before they saw a number of wild animals appear at once, and prince bahman started to give chase to a lion and prince perviz to a bear. both used their javelins with such skill that, directly they arrived within striking range, the lion and the bear fell, pierced through and through. then prince perviz pursued a lion and prince bahman a bear, and in a very few minutes they, too, lay dead. as they were making ready for a third assault the sultan interfered, and, sending one of his officials to summon them, he said smiling, "if i let you go on, there will soon be no beasts left to hunt. besides, your courage and manners have so won my heart that i will not have you expose yourselves to further danger. i am convinced that some day or other i shall find you useful as well as agreeable."

he then gave them a warm invitation to stay with him altogether, but with many thanks for the honour done them, they begged to be excused, and to be suffered to remain at home.

the sultan who was not accustomed to see his offers rejected inquired their reasons, and prince bahman explained that they did not wish to leave their sister, and were accustomed to do nothing without consulting all three together.

"ask her advice, then," replied the sultan, "and to-morrow come and hunt with me, and give me your answer."

the two princes returned home, but their adventure made so little impression on them that they quite forgot to speak to their sister on the subject. the next morning when they went to hunt they met the sultan in the same place, and he inquired what advice their sister had given. the young men looked at each other and blushed. at last prince bahman said, "sire, we must throw ourselves on your highness's mercy. neither my brother nor myself remembered anything about it."

"then be sure you do not forget to-day," answered the sultan, "and bring me back your reply to-morrow."

when, however, the same thing happened a second time, they feared that the sultan might be angry with them for their carelessness. but he took it in good part, and, drawing three little golden balls from his purse, he held them out to prince bahman, saying, "put these in your bosom and you will not forget a third time, for when you remove your girdle to-night the noise they will make in falling will remind you of my wishes."

it all happened as the sultan had foreseen, and the two brothers appeared in their sister's apartments just as she was in the act of stepping into bed, and told their tale.

the princess parizade was much disturbed at the news, and did not conceal her feelings. "your meeting with the sultan is very honourable to you," she said, "and will, i dare say, be of service to you, but it places me in a very awkward position. it is on my account, i know, that you have resisted the sultan's wishes, and i am very grateful to you for it. but kings do not like to have their offers refused, and in time he would bear a grudge against you, which would render me very unhappy. consult the talking bird, who is wise and far-seeing, and let me hear what he says."

so the bird was sent for and the case laid before him.

"the princes must on no account refuse the sultan's proposal," said he, "and they must even invite him to come and see your house."

"but, bird," objected the princess, "you know how dearly we love each other; will not all this spoil our friendship?"

"not at all," replied the bird, "it will make it all the closer."

"then the sultan will have to see me," said the princess.

the bird answered that it was necessary that he should see her, and everything would turn out for the best.

the following morning, when the sultan inquired if they had spoken to their sister and what advice she had given them, prince bahman replied that they were ready to agree to his highness's wishes, and that their sister had reproved them for their hesitation about the matter. the sultan received their excuses with great kindness, and told them that he was sure they would be equally faithful to him, and kept them by his side for the rest of the day, to the vexation of the grand-vizir and the rest of the court.

when the procession entered in this order the gates of the capital, the eyes of the people who crowded the streets were fixed on the two young men, strangers to every one.

"oh, if only the sultan had had sons like that!" they murmured, "they look so distinguished and are about the same age that his sons would have been!"

the sultan commanded that splendid apartments should be prepared for the two brothers, and even insisted that they should sit at table with him. during dinner he led the conversation to various scientific subjects, and also to history, of which he was especially fond, but whatever topic they might be discussing he found that the views of the young men were always worth listening to. "if they were my own sons," he said to himself, "they could not be better educated!" and aloud he complimented them on their learning and taste for knowledge.

at the end of the evening the princes once more prostrated themselves before the throne and asked leave to return home; and then, encouraged by the gracious words of farewell uttered by the sultan, prince bahman said: "sire, may we dare to take the liberty of asking whether you would do us and our sister the honour of resting for a few minutes at our house the first time the hunt passes that way?"

"with the utmost pleasure," replied the sultan; "and as i am all impatience to see the sister of such accomplished young men you may expect me the day after to-morrow."

the princess was of course most anxious to entertain the sultan in a fitting way, but as she had no experience in court customs she ran to the talking bird, and begged he would advise her as to what dishes should be served.

"my dear mistress," replied the bird, "your cooks are very good and you can safely leave all to them, except that you must be careful to have a dish of cucumbers, stuffed with pearl sauce, served with the first course."

"cucumbers stuffed with pearls!" exclaimed the princess. "why, bird, who ever heard of such a dish? the sultan will expect a dinner he can eat, and not one he can only admire! besides, if i were to use all the pearls i possess, they would not be half enough."

"mistress," replied the bird, "do what i tell you and nothing but good will come of it. and as to the pearls, if you go at dawn to-morrow and dig at the foot of the first tree in the park, on the right hand, you will find as many as you want."

the princess had faith in the bird, who generally proved to be right, and taking the gardener with her early next morning followed out his directions carefully. after digging for some time they came upon a golden box fastened with little clasps.

these were easily undone, and the box was found to be full of pearls, not very large ones, but well-shaped and of a good colour. so leaving the gardener to fill up the hole he had made under the tree, the princess took up the box and returned to the house.

the two princes had seen her go out, and had wondered what could have made her rise so early. full of curiosity they got up and dressed, and met their sister as she was returning with the box under her arm.

"what have you been doing?" they asked, "and did the gardener come to tell you he had found a treasure?"

"on the contrary," replied the princess, "it is i who have found one," and opening the box she showed her astonished brothers the pearls inside. then, on the way back to the palace, she told them of her consultation with the bird, and the advice it had given her. all three tried to guess the meaning of the singular counsel, but they were forced at last to admit the explanation was beyond them, and they must be content blindly to obey.

the first thing the princess did on entering the palace was to send for the head cook and to order the repast for the sultan when she had finished she suddenly added, "besides the dishes i have mentioned there is one that you must prepare expressly for the sultan, and that no one must touch but yourself. it consists of a stuffed cucumber, and the stuffing is to be made of these pearls."

the head cook, who had never in all his experience heard of such a dish, stepped back in amazement.

"you think i am mad," answered the princess, who perceived what was in his mind. "but i know quite well what i am doing. go, and do your best, and take the pearls with you."

the next morning the princes started for the forest, and were soon joined by the sultan. the hunt began and continued till mid-day, when the heat became so great that they were obliged to leave off. then, as arranged, they turned their horses' heads towards the palace, and while prince bahman remained by the side of the sultan, prince perviz rode on to warn his sister of their approach.

the moment his highness entered the courtyard, the princess flung herself at his feet, but he bent and raised her, and gazed at her for some time, struck with her grace and beauty, and also with the indefinable air of courts that seemed to hang round this country girl. "they are all worthy one of the other," he said to himself, "and i am not surprised that they think so much of her opinions. i must know more of them."

by this time the princess had recovered from the first embarrassment of meeting, and proceeded to make her speech of welcome.

"this is only a simple country house, sire," she said, "suitable to people like ourselves, who live a quiet life. it cannot compare with the great city mansions, much less, of course, with the smallest of the sultan's palaces."

"i cannot quite agree with you," he replied; "even the little that i have seen i admire greatly, and i will reserve my judgment until you have shown me the whole."

the princess then led the way from room to room, and the sultan examined everything carefully. "do you call this a simple country house?" he said at last. "why, if every country house was like this, the towns would soon be deserted. i am no longer astonished that you do not wish to leave it. let us go into the gardens, which i am sure are no less beautiful than the rooms."

a small door opened straight into the garden, and the first object that met the sultan's eyes was the golden water.

"what lovely coloured water!" he exclaimed; "where is the spring, and how do you make the fountain rise so high? i do not believe there is anything like it in the world." he went forward to examine it, and when he had satisfied his curiosity, the princess conducted him towards the singing tree.

as they drew near, the sultan was startled by the sound of strange voices, but could see nothing. "where have you hidden your musicians?" he asked the princess; "are they up in the air, or under the earth? surely the owners of such charming voices ought not to conceal themselves!"

"sire," answered the princess, "the voices all come from the tree which is straight in front of us; and if you will deign to advance a few steps, you will see that they become clearer."

the sultan did as he was told, and was so wrapt in delight at what he heard that he stood some time in silence.

"tell me, madam, i pray you," he said at last, "how this marvellous tree came into your garden? it must have been brought from a great distance, or else, fond as i am of all curiosities, i could not have missed hearing of it! what is its name?"

"the only name it has, sire," replied she, "is the singing tree, and it is not a native of this country. its history is mixed up with those of the golden water and the talking bird, which you have not yet seen. if your highness wishes i will tell you the whole story, when you have recovered from your fatigue."

"indeed, madam," returned he, "you show me so many wonders that it is impossible to feel any fatigue. let us go once more and look at the golden water; and i am dying to see the talking bird."

the sultan could hardly tear himself away from the golden water, which puzzled him more and more. "you say," he observed to the princess, "that this water does not come from any spring, neither is brought by pipes. all i understand is, that neither it nor the singing tree is a native of this country."

"it is as you say, sire," answered the princess, "and if you examine the basin, you will see that it is all in one piece, and therefore the water could not have been brought through it. what is more astonishing is, that i only emptied a small flaskful into the basin, and it increased to the quantity you now see."

"well, i will look at it no more to-day," said the sultan. "take me to the talking bird."

on approaching the house, the sultan noticed a vast quantity of birds, whose voices filled the air, and he inquired why they were so much more numerous here than in any other part of the garden.

"sire," answered the princess, "do you see that cage hanging in one of the windows of the saloon? that is the talking bird, whose voice you can hear above them all, even above that of the nightingale. and the birds crowd to this spot, to add their songs to his."

the sultan stepped through the window, but the bird took no notice, continuing his song as before.

"my slave," said the princess, "this is the sultan; make him a pretty speech."

the bird stopped singing at once, and all the other birds stopped too.

"the sultan is welcome," he said. "i wish him long life and all prosperity."

"i thank you, good bird," answered the sultan, seating himself before the repast, which was spread at a table near the window, "and i am enchanted to see in you the sultan and king of the birds."

the sultan, noticing that his favourite dish of cucumber was placed before him, proceeded to help himself to it, and was amazed to and that the stuffing was of pearls. "a novelty, indeed!" cried he, "but i do not understand the reason of it; one cannot eat pearls!"

"sire," replied the bird, before either the princes or the princess could speak, "surely your highness cannot be so surprised at beholding a cucumber stuffed with pearls, when you believed without any difficulty that the sultana had presented you, instead of children, with a dog, a cat, and a log of wood."

"i believed it," answered the sultan, "because the women attending on her told me so."

"the women, sire," said the bird, "were the sisters of the sultana, who were devoured with jealousy at the honour you had done her, and in order to revenge themselves invented this story. have them examined, and they will confess their crime. these are your children, who were saved from death by the intendant of your gardens, and brought up by him as if they were his own."

like a flash the truth came to the mind of the sultan. "bird," he cried, "my heart tells me that what you say is true. my children," he added, "let me embrace you, and embrace each other, not only as brothers and sister, but as having in you the blood royal of persia which could flow in no nobler veins."

when the first moments of emotion were over, the sultan hastened to finish his repast, and then turning to his children he exclaimed: "to-day you have made acquaintance with your father. to-morrow i will bring you the sultana your mother. be ready to receive her."

the sultan then mounted his horse and rode quickly back to the capital. without an instant's delay he sent for the grand-vizir, and ordered him to seize and question the sultana's sisters that very day. this was done. they were confronted with each other and proved guilty, and were executed in less than an hour.

but the sultan did not wait to hear that his orders had been carried out before going on foot, followed by his whole court to the door of the great mosque, and drawing the sultana with his own hand out of the narrow prison where she had spent so many years, "madam," he cried, embracing her with tears in his eyes, "i have come to ask your pardon for the injustice i have done you, and to repair it as far as i may. i have already begun by punishing the authors of this abominable crime, and i hope you will forgive me when i introduce you to our children, who are the most charming and accomplished creatures in the whole world. come with me, and take back your position and all the honour that is due to you."

this speech was delivered in the presence of a vast multitude of people, who had gathered from all parts on the first hint of what was happening, and the news was passed from mouth to mouth in a few seconds.

early next day the sultan and sultana, dressed in robes of state and followed by all the court, set out for the country house of their children. here the sultan presented them to the sultana one by one, and for some time there was nothing but embraces and tears and tender words. then they ate of the magnificent dinner which had been prepared for them, and after they were all refreshed they went into the garden, where the sultan pointed out to his wife the golden water and the singing tree. as to the talking bird, she had already made acquaintance with him.

in the evening they rode together back to the capital, the princes on each side of their father, and the princess with her mother. long before they reached the gates the way was lined with people, and the air filled with shouts of welcome, with which were mingled the songs of the talking bird, sitting in its cage on the lap of the princess, and of the birds who followed it.

and in this manner they came back to their father's palace.