The second princess, after being long driven about by the waves upon a plank, was at length cast on shore near a large city, which she entered, and was fortunately compassionated by a venerable matron, who invited her to her house, and adopted her as a daughter in the room of her own, who had lately died.  Here she soon recovered her health and beauty.  It chanced that the sultan of this city, who was much beloved for his gentle government and liberality, was taken ill, and not withstanding the skill of the most celebrated physicians, daily became worse, insomuch that his life was despaired of, to the general grief of the people.  The princess having heard her venerable protectress lament the danger of the sultan, said, “My dear mother, I will prepare a dish of pottage, which, if you will carry to the sultan, and he can be prevailed upon to eat it, will, by the blessing of Allah, recover him from his disorder.”  “I fear,” replied the matron, “I shall hardly be allowed admittance to the palace, much less to present him the pottage.”  “You can but try,” answered the princess;” and even the attempt at a good action is acceptable to God.”  “Well,"rejoined the old woman, “prepare your pottage, my dear daughter, and I will endeavour to get admission.”

The princess prepared the dish of pottage, composed of various minerals, herbs, and perfumes, and when it was ready the old woman took it to the sultan’s palace.  The guards and eunuchs inquired what she had brought, when she said, “A dish of pottage, which I request you will present to the sultan, and beg him to eat as much of it as he can, for by God’s help it will restore him to health.”  The eunuchs introduced her into the chamber of their sick sovereign, when the old woman taking off the cover of the dish, such a grateful perfume exhaled from the contents as revived his spirits.  Being informed what the venerable matron had brought, he thanked her and tasted the pottage, which was so agreeably flavoured that he ate part of it with an appetite to which he had been long a stranger.  He then presented the bearer with a purse of deenars, when she returned home, informed the princess of her welcome reception, and of the present she had received.

The sultan had no sooner eaten part of the pottage than he felt an inclination to repose, and sunk into a refreshing sleep, which lasted for some hours.  On his awakening he found himself wonderfully revived, and having a desire afresh to eat, finished the whole.  He now wished for more, and inquired after the old woman, but none of his attendants could inform him where she lived.  However, in the evening she brought another mess, which the princess had prepared, and the sultan ate it with renewed appetite; after which, though before quite helpless, he was now able to sit up and even to walk.  He inquired of the old woman if it was her own preparation; to which she replied,"No, my lord, but my daughter dressed it, and entreated me to bring it.”  The sultan exclaimed, “She cannot be thy own daughter, as her skill shews her of much higher quality.”  He then made her a present, and requested that she would bring him every morning a fresh supply, to which she said, “To hear is to obey;” and retired.