The princess alighted, stopped her ears with cotton; and after she had well examined the path leading to the summit, began with a moderate pace, and walked up with intrepidity.  She heard the voices, and perceived the great service the cotton was to her.  The higher she went, the louder and more numerous the voices seemed; but they were not capable of making any impression upon her.  She heard a great many affronting speeches and raillery very disagreeable to a woman, which she only laughed at.  “I mind not,” said she to herself, “all that can be said, were it worse; I only laugh at them, and shall pursue my way.  At last she got so high, that she could perceive the cage and the bird, which endeavoured, with the voices, to frighten her, crying in a thundering tone, notwithstanding the smallness of its size, “Retire, fool, and approach no nearer.”

The princess, encouraged by this object, redoubled her speed, and by effort gained the summit of the mountain, where the ground was level; then running directly to the cage, and clapping her hand upon it, cried, “Bird, I have you, and you shall not escape me.”

While Perie-zadeh was pulling the cotton out of her ears, the bird said to her, “Heroic princess, be not angry with me for joining with those who exerted themselves to preserve my liberty.  Though in a cage, I was content with my condition; but since I am destined to be a slave, I would rather be yours than any other person’s, since you have obtained me so courageously.  From this instant, I swear inviolable fidelity, and an entire submission to all your commands.  I know who you are; you do not:  but the time will come when I shall do you essential service, which I hope you will think yourself obliged to me for.  As a proof of my sincerity, tell me what you desire, and I am ready to obey you.”

The princess’s joy was the more inexpressible, because the conquest she had made had cost her the lives of two beloved brothers, and given her more trouble and danger than she could have imagined, notwithstanding what the dervish had represented to her.  “Bird,” said she, “it was my intention to have told you that I wish for many things which are of importance; but I am overjoyed that you have shewn your good-will and prevented me.  I have been told that there is not far off a golden water, the property of which is very wonderful; before all things, I ask you to tell me where it is.”  The bird shewed her the place, which was just by, and she went and filled a little silver flagon which she had brought with her.  She returned to the bird and said, “Bird, this is not enough; I want also the singing tree; tell me where it is.”  “Turn about,” said the bird, “and you will see behind you a wood, where you will find this tree.”  The princess went into the wood, and by the harmonious concert she heard soon knew the tree among many others, but it was very large and high.  She came back to the bird, and said to it, “Bird, I have found the singing tree, but I can neither pull it up by the roots, nor carry it.”  The bird replied, “It is not necessary that you should take it up by the roots; it will be sufficient to break off a branch, and carry it to plant in your garden; it will take root as soon as it is put into the earth, and in a little time will grow to as fine a tree as that you have seen.”