The sultana was alarmed, and said, “To preserve my life, I must speak truth.  Know then that thou art the son of a cook.  Thy father had no male offspring, at which he was uneasy:  on the same day myself and the wife of the cook lay in, I of a daughter and she of a son.  I was fearful of the coolness of the sultan, and imposed upon him the son of the cook for his own:  that son art thou, who now enjoyest an empire.”

The spurious sultan left the sultana in astonish, ment at the penetration of the brothers, whom he summoned to his presence, and inquired of them on what grounds they had founded their just suspicions respecting the bread, the kid, and himself.”  “My lord,” replied the elder prince,” when I broke the cake, the flour fell out in lumps; and hence I guessed that she who made it had not strength to knead it sufficiently, and must have been unwell.”  “It is as thou hast said,” replied the sultan.”  The fat of the kid,” continued the second brother,” was all next the bone, and the flesh of every other animal but the dog has it next the skin.  Hence my surmise that it must have been suckled by a bitch.”  “Thou wert right,” answered the sultan; “but now for myself.”

“My reason for supposing thee illegitimate,” said the youngest prince, “was, because thou didst not associate with us, who are of the same rank with thyself.  Every man has properties which he inherits from his father, his grandfather, or his mother.  From his father, generosity, or avarice; from his grandfather, valour or cowardice; from his mother, bashfulness or impudence.”  “Thou hast spoken justly,” replied the sultan; “but why came ye to ask judgment of me, since ye are so much better able to decide difficult questions than myself?  Return home, and agree among yourselves.”  The princes did so; and obeyed the will of their father.

STORY OF THE THREE SHARPERS AND THE SULTAN.

Three very ingenious sharpers who associated together, being much distressed, agreed, in hopes of obtaining immediate relief, that they would go to the sultan, and pretend each to superior ability in some occupation.  Accordingly they proceeded to the metropolis, but found admission to the presence difficult; the sultan being at a garden palace surrounded by guards, who would not let them approach.  Upon this they consulted, and agreed to feign a quarrel, in hopes that their clamour would draw the notice of the sultan.  It did so:  he commanded them to be brought before him, inquired who they were, and the cause of their dispute.  “We were disputing,” said they, “concerning the superiority of our professions; for each of us possesses complete skill in his own.”  “What are your professions?” replied the sultan.  “I am,” said one, “O sovereign, a lapidary of wonderful skill.”  “I fear thou art an astonishing rascal,” exclaimed the sultan.