🧚 Opening, part 16 · page 2

“What fools these men are,” thought Sin.62 “I see that I must wait until I can explain the matter to Le.”63

Chang took the fish straight to Mr. Le, and said: “Your Excellency, here is the finest carp I have ever seen.”64

“Listen to me, Le,” said Sin, as loudly as he could.65 “I am your friend, Sin, and I put on this fish’s skin just to see what it is like to be a fish.66 This scoundrel Chang has tortured me.67 Please tell him to put me back into the river, as I wish to take my former shape again.”68

“This is a very peculiar fish,” said Le; “why, he grunts like a pig.69 Still, he will make a good dish, so take him to the cook.”70

“Oh!” groaned Sin, “would you eat your old friend, Le?”71

But Le didn’t understand either, so Chang started for the kitchen.72 “My only chance now is that the cook will know me,” thought Sin.73

And now his last hope fled, for as Chang handed the carp to the cook, Sin said as distinctly as he could, “Cook, I am no fish, but Mr. Sin.74 I have always treated you well, so please take me back to the river.”75

“This is a noisy carp you have caught, Chang,” said the cook, “but he won’t grunt much longer.76 Hand me the chopper.”77

And now Sin made all the noise he could.78 He screamed, “Spare me!79 Spare me, cook.”80 But the cook took no notice of him.81 Placing him on the kitchen block, he lifted the chopper, and gave him a violent blow on the head.82

“Oh!” exclaimed Sin, “what an awful knock I have given myself.83 I must have fallen out of bed and struck my head on the floor.”84

He was now thoroughly awake, but it was some time before he could realize that he was safe in his own room, so real had his experiences seemed.85 But he at length breathed a sigh of relief, for he knew that it was only a dream.86

PRINCE ZEYN ALASNAM AND THE SULTAN OF THE GENII87

There was a Sultan of Bussorah blessed with great prosperity and happy in the affections of his people.88 His only source of affliction was, that he was childless.89 But after many years had passed a son was born to him, whom he named Zeyn Alasnam.90

Zeyn was educated with the greatest care.91 While, however, the prince was yet young, the good sultan fell sick of a disorder, which all the skill of his physicians could not cure, and presently he died.92

As soon as the mourning for his father was passed, Prince Zeyn began to show that he was unfit to govern a kingdom.93 He gave way to all kinds of dissipation and conferred on his youthful but evil associates the chief offices in the kingdom.94 He lost all the respect of his people and emptied his treasury.95

The queen, his mother, tried to correct her son’s conduct, assuring him that if he did not take another course, he would cause some revolution, which perhaps might cost him his crown and his life.96 What she thus foretold had nearly happened.97 The people began to murmur against the government, and their murmurs would certainly have been followed by a general revolt if the sultan had not listened to his mother and suffered himself to be prevailed on.98 He dismissed his youthful advisers and committed the government to discreet aged men.99

Zeyn, seeing all his wealth consumed, repented that he had made no better use of it.100 He fell into a profound melancholy and nothing could comfort him.101 One night he saw in a dream a venerable old man coming towards him, who with a smiling countenance said: “Know, Zeyn, that there is no sorrow but what is followed by mirth; no misfortune but what in the end brings some happiness.102 If you desire to see the end of your affliction, set out for Grand Cairo, where great prosperity awaits you.”103

The young sultan was much struck with his dream, and spoke of it very seriously to his mother, who only laughed at it.104 “My son,” said she, “would you leave your kingdom and go into Egypt on the faith of a dream, which may be illusive?”105

“Why not, madam?” answered Zeyn; “do you imagine all dreams are worthless?106 No, no, they often are divinely inspired.107 The old man who appeared to me had something holy about his person.108 I rely on the promises he has made me, and am resolved to follow his advice.”109

The queen endeavored to dissuade him, but in vain.110 The sultan entreated her to undertake the government of the kingdom, and set out one night very privately from his palace and took the road to Cairo, alone and unattended.111

After much trouble and fatigue he arrived at that famous city.112 He alighted at the gate of a mosque, where, being spent with weariness, he lay down.113 No sooner was he fallen asleep than he saw the same old man, who said to him: “I am pleased with you, my son.114 You have believed me, and now I want you to know that I have not imposed on you this long journey with any other design than to try you.115 I find you have courage and resolution.116 You deserve I should make you the richest and happiest prince in the world.117 Return to Bussorah and you shall find immense wealth in your palace.118 No king ever possessed so rich a treasure.”119

Prince Zeyn was not pleased with his dream.120 “Alas!” thought he to himself when he awoke, “how much was I mistaken!121 That old man is no other than the production of my disturbed imagination.122 My fancy was so full of him that it is no wonder I have seen him again.123 I had best return to Bussorah.124 What should I do here any longer?125 It is fortunate that I told none but my mother the motive of my journey.126 I should become a jest to my people were they to know it.”127

Accordingly, he set out for his kingdom, and as soon as he arrived there the queen asked him whether he returned well pleased.128 He told her all that had happened, and was so much concerned for having been so foolish that the queen, instead of adding to his vexation by reproving or laughing at him, comforted him.129 “Forbear afflicting yourself, my son,” said she; “if God has appointed you riches, you will have them without any trouble.130 Be contented.131 Apply yourself to making your subjects happy.132 By securing their happiness you will establish your own.”133

Sultan Zeyn vowed that he would for the future follow his mother’s advice and be directed by the wise viziers she had chosen to assist him in the government.134 But the very night after he returned to his palace he saw the old man the third time in a dream, who said to him: “The time of your prosperity is come, brave Zeyn.135 To-morrow morning, as soon as you are up, take a pick-axe and dig in the late sultan’s private room.136 You will there find a rich treasure.”137

As soon as the sultan awoke he got up, ran to the queen’s apartment, and with much eagerness told her the new dream of that night.138 “Really, my son,” said the queen, smiling, “this is a very queer old man; but have you a mind to believe him again?139 At any rate, the task now enjoined on you is not so bad as your former long journeys.”140