Strolling one day in the market, he saw a Jew purchase of a lad a cock at a very high price, and send it by his slave to his wife, with orders to keep it safely till his return home.  The fisherman’s son supposing that as the Jew gave so great a price for the cock it must possess some extraordinary property, resolved to obtain it; and, accordingly, having bought two large fowls, carried them to the Jew’s wife, whom he informed that her husband had sent him for the cock, which he had exchanged for the fowls.  She gave it him; and he having retired, killed the bird, in whose entrails he found a magical ring; which being rubbed by his touch, a voice proceeded from it demanding what were the commands of its possessor, which should be immediately executed by the genii who were servants of the ring.  The fisherman’s son was rejoiced at his good fortune, and while meditating what use he should make of his ring, passed by the sultan’s palace, at the gates of which were suspended many human heads.  He inquired the reason, and was informed that they were those of unfortunate princes, who having failed in performing the conditions on which the sultan’s daughter was offered them in marriage, had been put to death.  Hoping to be more fortunate than them by the aid of his ring, he resolved to demand the princess’s hand.  He rubbed the ring, when the voice asked his commands:  upon which he required a rich dress, and it was instantly laid before him.  He put it on, repaired to the palace, and being introduced to the sultan, demanded his daughter to wife.  The sultan consented, on condition that his life should be forfeited unless he should remove a lofty and extensive mound of sand that lay on one side of the palace, which must be done before he could wed the princess.  He accepted the condition; but demanded an interval of forty days to perform the task.  This being agreed to, he took his leave, and having repaired to his lodging, rubbed his ring, commanded the genii to remove the mound, and erect on the space it covered a magnificent palace, and to furnish it suitably for a royal residence.  In fifteen days the task was completed; he was wedded to the princess, and declared heir to the sultan.  In the mean while, the Jew whom he had tricked of the cock and the magical ring resolved to travel in search of his lost prize, and at last arrived at the city, where he was informed of the wonderful removal of the mound, and the ereftion of the palace.  He guessed that it must have been done by means of his ring, to recover which he planned the following stratagem.  Having disguised himself as a merchant, he repaired to the palace, and cried for sale valuable jewels.  The princess hearing him, sent an attendant to examine them and inquire their price, when the Jew asked in exchange only old rings.  This being told to the princess, she recollected that her husband kept an old shabby looking ring in his writing stand, and he being asleep, she took it out, and sent it to the Jew; who, knowing it to be the one he had so