The princes mounted their horses again, and followed the emperor; but had not gone far before they saw many wild beasts together.  Prince Bahman chose a lion, and prince Perviz a bear; and pursued them with so much intrepidity, that the emperor was surprised.  They came up with their game nearly at the same time, and darted their javelins with so much skill and address, that they pierced, the one the lion, and the other the bear, so effectually, that the emperor saw them fall one after the other.  Immediately afterwards prince Bahman pursued another bear, and prince Perviz another lion, and killed them in a short time, and would have beaten out for fresh game, but the emperor would not let them, and sent to them to come to him.  When they approached he said, “If I would have given you leave, you would soon have destroyed all my game:  but it is not that which I would preserve, but your persons; for I am so well assured your bravery may one time or other be serviceable to me, that from this moment your lives will be always dear to me.”

The emperor, in short, conceived so great a kindness for the two princes, that he invited them immediately to make him a visit:  to which prince Bahman replied, “Your majesty does us an honour we do not deserve; and we beg you will excuse us.”

The emperor, who could not comprehend what reason the princes could have to refuse this token of his favour, pressed them to tell him why they excused themselves.  “Sir,” said prince Bahman, “we have a sister younger than ourselves, with whom we live in such perfect union, that we undertake nothing before we consult her, nor she any thing without asking our advice.”  “I commend your brotherly affection,” answered the emperor.  “Consult your sister, meet me here tomorrow, and give me an answer.”

The princes went home, but neglected to speak of their adventure in meeting the emperor, and hunting with him, and also of the honour he had done them, by asking them to go home with him; yet did not the next morning fail to meet him at the place appointed.  “Well,” said the emperor, “have you spoken to your sister?  And has she consented to the pleasure I expect of seeing you?” The two princes looked at each other and blushed.  “Sir,” said prince Bahman, “we beg your majesty to excuse us:  for both my brother and I forgot.”  “Then remember to-day,” replied the emperor, “and be sure to bring me an answer to-morrow.”

The princes were guilty of the same fault a second time, and the emperor was so good-natured as to forgive their negligence; but to prevent their forgetfulness the third time, he pulled three little golden balls out of a purse, and put them into prince Bahman’s bosom.  “These balls,” said he, smiling, “will prevent your forgetting a third time what I wish you to do for my sake; since the noise they will make by falling on the floor, when you undress, will remind you, if you do not recollect it before.”  The event happened just as the emperor foresaw; and