I therefore will make a trial this day.
'I am persuaded you could easily procure from her a pavilion that
might be carried in a man's hand, yet which would extend over my
whole army; especially when you let her know it is for me. Though
it may be a difficult thing, she will not refuse you. All the world
knows that fairies are capable of doing the most extraordinary
things.'
Prince Ahmed never expected that the sultan his father would have
asked a thing which, at first sight, appeared to him so difficult,
not to say impossible. Though he knew not absolutely how great the
power of genies and fairies was, he doubted whether it extended so
far as to furnish a tent such as his father desired. Moreover, he
had never asked anything like it of the fairy Pari Banou, but was
satisfied with her continual kindness; therefore he was in the
greatest embarrassment what answer to make. At last he replied,
'If, sir, I have concealed from your majesty what happened to me
and what course I took after finding my arrow, the reason was that
I thought it was of no great importance to you to be informed of
them; and though I know not how this mystery has been revealed to
you, I cannot deny that your information is correct.
Pages:
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155