The three calendars, the caliph, the grand vizier, Jaaffier, the eunuch Mesrour, and the porter, were all in the middle of the hall, seated upon a carpet in the presence of the three ladies, who reclined upon a sofa, and the slaves stood ready to do whatever their mistresses should command.

The porter, understanding that he might extricate himself from danger by telling his history, spoke first, and said, “Madam, you know my history already, and the occasion of my coming hither; so that what I have to say will be very short.  My lady, your sister, called me this morning at the place where I plyed as porter to see if any body would employ me, that I might get my bread; I followed her to a vintner’s, then to a herb-shop, then to one where oranges, lemons, and citrons were sold, then to a grocer’s, next to a confectioner’s, and a druggist’s, with my basket upon my head as full as I was able to carry it; then I came hither, where you had the goodness to suffer me to continue till now, a favour that I shall never forget.  This, madam, is my history.”

When the porter had done, Zobeide said to him, “Depart, let us see you here no more.”  “Madam,” replied the porter, “I beg you to let me stay; it would not be just, after the rest have had the pleasure to hear my history, that I should not also have the satisfaction of hearing theirs.”  And having spoken thus, he sat down at the end of the sofa, glad at heart to have escaped the danger that had frightened him so much.  After him, one of the three calenders directing his speech to Zobeide, as the principal of the three ladies, began thus: 

The History of the First Calender.

Madam, in order to inform you how I lost my right eye, and why I was obliged to put myself into a calender’s habit, I must tell you, that I am a sultan’s son born:  my father had a brother who reigned over a neighbouring kingdom; and the prince his son and I were nearly of the same age.

After I had learned my exercises, the sultan my father granted me such liberty as suited my dignity.  I went regularly every year to see my uncle, at whose court I amused myself for a month or two, and then returned again to my father’s.  These journeys cemented a firm and intimate friendship between the prince my cousin and myself.  The last time I saw him, he received me with greater demonstrations of tenderness than he had done at any time before; and resolving one day to give me a treat, he made great preparations for that purpose.  We continued a long time at table, and after we had both supped; “Cousin,” said he, “you will hardly be able to guess how I have been employed since your last departure from hence, about a year past.  I have had a great many men at work to perfect a design I have formed; I have caused an edifice to be built, which is now finished so as to be habitable:  you will not be displeased if I shew it you.  But first you are to promise me upon oath, that you will keep my secret, according to the confidence I repose in you.”