understood the subjeft of their conversation was wishes:  “For,” said she, “since we have got upon wishes, mine shall be to have the sultan’s baker for my husband, for then I shall eat my fill of that bread, which by way of excellence is called the sultan’s:  let us see if your tastes are as good as mine.”  “For my part,” replied the second sister, “I wish I was wife to the sultan’s chief cook, for then I should eat of the most excellent dishes; and as I am persuaded that the sultan’s bread is common in the palace, I should not want any of that; therefore you see,” addressing herself to her eldest sister, “that I have a better taste than you.”

The youngest sister, who was very beautiful, and had more charms and wit than the two elder, spoke in her turn:  “For my part, sisters,” said she, “I shall not limit my desires to such trifles, but take a higher flight; and since we are upon wishing, I wish to be the emperor’s queen consort.  I would make him father of a prince, whose hair should be gold on one side of his head, and silver on the other; when he cried, the tears from his eyes should be pearl; and when he smiled, his vermilion lips should look like a rose-bud fresh blown.”

The three sisters’ wishes, particularly that of the youngest, seemed so singular to the sultan, that he resolved to gratify them in their desires; but without communicating his design to his grand vizier, he charged him only to take notice of the house, and bring the three sisters before him the following day.

The grand vizier, in executing the emperor’s orders, would but just give the sisters time to dress themselves to appear before him, without telling them the reason.  He brought them to the palace, and presented them to the emperor, who said to them, “Do you remember the wishes you expressed last night, when you were all in so pleasant a mood?  Speak the truth; I must know what they were.”

At these unexpected words of the emperor, the three sisters were much confounded.  They cast down their eyes and blushed, and the colour which rose in the cheeks of the youngest quite captivated the emperor’s heart.  Modesty, and fear lest they might have offended the emperor by their conversation, kept them silent.  The emperor perceiving their confusion, said, to encourage them, “Fear nothing, I did not send for you to distress you; and since I see that is the effect of the question I asked, without my intending it, as I know the wish of each, I will relieve you from your fears.  You,” added he, “who wished to be my wife shall have your desire this day; and you,” continued he, addressing himself to the two elder sisters, “shall also be married to my chief baker and cook.”

As soon as the sultan had declared his pleasure, the youngest sister, setting her eldest an example, threw herself at the emperor’s feet, to express her gratitude.  “Sir,” said she, “my wish, since it is come to your majesty’s knowledge, was expressed only in the way of conversation and amusement.  I am unworthy of the honour you do me, and supplicate your pardon for my presumption.”  The two other sisters would have excused themselves also; but the emperor interrupting them, said, “No, no; it shall be as I have declared; every one’s wish shall be fulfilled.”