Opening, part 1 · page 21 2101But seeing her eyes full of tears, he asked what was the matter. "102Sire," replied Scheherazade, "I have a sister who loves me as tenderly as I love her.103Grant me the favour of allowing her to sleep this night in the same room, as it is the last we shall be together."104Schahriar consented to Scheherazade's petition and Dinarzade was sent for.105An hour before daybreak Dinarzade awoke, and exclaimed, as she had promised, "My dear sister, if you are not asleep, tell me I pray you, before the sun rises, one of your charming stories.106It is the last time that I shall have the pleasure of hearing you."107Scheherazade did not answer her sister, but turned to the Sultan. "108Will your highness permit me to do as my sister asks?" said she.109"Willingly," he answered.110So Scheherazade began.111The Story of the Merchant and the Genius112Sire, there was once upon a time a merchant who possessed great wealth, in land and merchandise, as well as in ready money.113He was obliged from time to time to take journeys to arrange his affairs.114One day, having to go a long way from home, he mounted his horse, taking with him a small wallet in which he had put a few biscuits and dates, because he had to pass through the desert where no food was to be got.115He arrived without any mishap, and, having finished his business, set out on his return.116On the fourth day of his journey, the heat of the sun being very great, he turned out of his road to rest under some trees.117He found at the foot of a large walnut-tree a fountain of clear and running water.118He dismounted, fastened his horse to a branch of the tree, and sat by the fountain, after having taken from his wallet some of his dates and biscuits.119When he had finished this frugal meal he washed his face and hands in the fountain.1 2next →Opening, part 2↑ back to The Arabian Nights EntertainmentsThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg128/1/page/2/