The sultan now left the husbandman, and hastening to the city, entered the palace, where the latter soon after arrived with his fruits, and was introduced to the presence.  Having made his obeisance, the sultan returning his salute, said, “Father, what hast thou brought with thee?” “Fruits, reared earlier than usual,” answered the husbandman:  to which the sultan replied, “They are acceptable,” and uncovering them, sent a part by the eunuchs into his haram, and distributed the rest to his courtiers, excepting a few which he ate himself, talking all the while to the countryman, whose sensible remarks gave him much pleasure.  He presented him with two hundred deenars, and the ladies of the haram sent him a present of half that sum.  The sultan then desired him to return home, give the money to his family, and come back with speed, as he wished to enjoy his conversation.  The husbandman having replied, “To hear is to obey,” blessed the sultan for his bounty, and hastening home gave the deenars to his wife, informing her that he was invited to spend the evening at court, and took his leave.  It was sunset when he arrived at the palace, and the sultan being at his evening meal invited him to partake.  When they were satisfied, they performed their ablutions, and having said the evening prayer, and read a portion of the Koraun, the sultan, desiring him to be seated, commanded the husbandman to relate him some narrative.  The husbandman being seated, thus began.

Story of the Three Princes and Enchanting Bird.

It has been lately related that there was formerly a sovereign of the East who had three sons, the eldest of whom had heard some traveller describe a particular country where there was a bird called Bulbul al Syach, who transformed any passenger who came near him into stone.  The prince resolved to see this wonderful bird; and requested leave to travel from his father, who endeavoured in vain to divert him from his purpose.  He took leave, and on his departure, pulling off a ring set with a magical gem, gave it to his second brother, saying, “Whenever you perceive this ring press hard upon your finger, be assured that I am lost beyond recovery.”  Having begun his journey, he did not cease travelling till he reached the spot where was the bird’s cage, in which it used to pass the night, but in the daytime it flew about for exercise and food.

It was the custom of the bird to return about sunset to the cage; when, if it perceived any person near, it would cry out in a plaintive tone, “Who will say to a poor wanderer, Lodge? who will say to an unhappy Bulbul, Lodge?” and if the person replied, “Lodge, poor bird!” it immediately hovered over his head, and scattering upon him some earth from its bill, the person became transformed into a stone.  Such proved the fate of the unfortunate prince.