The princess Perie-zadeh’s thoughts were so taken up with what the devout woman had told her of the speaking bird, singing tree, and yellow water, that she never perceived her departure, till she wanted to ask her some question for her better information; for she thought that what she had told her was not a sufficient reason for exposing herself by undertaking a long journey, possibly to no purpose.  However, she would not send after her, but endeavoured to remember all she had told her; and when she thought she had recollected every word, took real pleasure in thinking of the satisfaction she should have if she could get these wonderful curiosities into her possession; but the difficulties she apprehended, and the fear of not succeeding, made her very uneasy.

She was absorbed in these thoughts when her brothers returned from hunting; who, when they entered the great hall, instead of finding her lively and gay, as she used to be be, were amazed to see her so pensive, and hanging down her head as if something troubled her.

“Sister,” said prince Bahman,"what is become of all your mirth and gaiety?  Are you not well? or has some misfortune befallen you?  Has any body given you reason to be so melancholy?  Tell us, that we may know how to act, and give you some relief.  If any one has affronted you, we will resent his insolence.”

The princess remained in the same posture some time without answering; but at last lifted up her eyes to look at her brothers, and then held them down again, telling them nothing disturbed her.

“Sister,” said prince Bahman, “you conceal the truth from us; there must be something of consequence.  It is impossible we could observe so sudden a change if nothing was the matter with you.  You would not have us satisfied with the evasive answer you have given:  do not conceal any thing, unless you would have us suspect that you renounce the strict union which has hitherto subsisted between us from our infancy.”

The princess, who had not the smallest intention to offend her brothers, would not suffer them to entertain such a thought, but said, “When I told you nothing disturbed me, I meant nothing that was of importance to you; but to me it is of some consequence; and since you press me to tell you by our strict union and friendship, which are so dear to me, I will.  You think, and I always believed so too, that this house was so complete that nothing was wanting.  But this day I have learned that it wants three rarities, which would render it so perfect that no country seat in the world could be compared with it.  These three things are, the speaking bird, the singing tree, and the yellow water.  After she had informed them wherein consisted the excellency of these rarities, “A devout woman,” added she, “has made this discovery to me, told me the place where they are to be found, and the way thither.  Perhaps you may imagine these things to be trifles, and of little consequence to