At the moment when he gave the first blow a voice said to him: 

“Take care of me, O my brother!”

The voice wept, the child began to weep, and it rained.  H’ab Sliman recognized his sister.

“Laugh,” he said.  She laughed and the sun shone, and the people got dried.

“Comb yourself,” and legs of mutton fell.  All those who were present regaled themselves on them.  “Walk,” and roses fell.  “But what is the matter with you, my sister?”

“What has happened to me.”

“What revenge does your heart desire?”

“Attach the daughter of my stepmother to the tail of a horse that she may be dragged in the bushes.”

When the young girl was dead, they took her to the house, cooked her, and sent her to her mother and sister.

“O my mother,” cried the latter, “this eye is that of my sister Aftelis.”

“Eat, unhappy one,” said the mother, “your sister Aftelis has become the slave of slaves.”

“But look at it,” insisted the young girl.  “You have not even looked at it.  I will give this piece to the one who will weep a little.”

“Well,” said the cat, “if you give me that piece I will weep with one eye.”

* * * * *

THE KING AND HIS SON

He had a son whom he brought up well.  The child grew and said one day to the King, “I am going out for a walk.”

“It is well,” answered the King.  At a certain place he found an olive-tree on fire.

“O God,” he cried, “help me to put out this fire!”

Suddenly God sent the rain, the fire was extinguished, and the young man was able to pass.  He came to the city and said to the governor: 

“Give me a chance to speak in my turn.”

“It is well,” said he; “speak.”

“I ask the hand of your daughter,” replied the young man.

“I give her to you,” answered the governor, “for if you had not put out that fire the city would have been devoured by the flames.”

He departed with his wife.  After a long march the wife made to God this prayer: 

“O God, place this city here.”

The city appeared at the very spot.  Toward evening the Marabout of the city of which the father of the young bridegroom was King went to the mosque to say his prayers.

“O marvel!” he cried, “what do I see down there?”

The King called his wife and sent her to see what was this new city.  The woman departed, and, addressing the wife of the young prince, asked alms of him.  He gave her alms.  The messenger returned and said to the King: 

“It is your son who commands in that city.”

The King, pricked by jealousy, said to the woman:  “Go, tell him to come and find me.  I must speak with him.”

The woman went away and returned with the King’s son.  His father said to him: