The Green Fairy Book

nd after each sip he stroked his long beard with an air of enjoyment. In short, anyone could see that the Caliph was in an excellent humour. This was, in fact, the best time of day in which

om, with an anxious face. The Caliph withdrew his pipe for a moment

ms on his breast and bent low b

wn below, in the court of the palace, is a pedlar with such beautiful thi

x containing all manner of wares — strings of pearls, rings, richly mounted pistols, goblets, and combs. The Caliph and his Vizier inspected everything, and the Caliph chose some handsome pistols for himself and Mansor, and a jewelled comb for the Vizier’s wife. Just as the pedlar was

treet at Mecca,’ said the pedlar. ‘I do not know what they may contain, b

ased the scroll and the box, and dismissed the pedlar. Then, being anxious to know what might be the co

s a man called Selim the learned, who knows every language under the sun. Send f

lim was summon

f you can, I will give you a robe of honour; but if you fail, I will order you to receive twelve strokes on your

will, oh master!’ Then he gazed long at the scroll. Suddenly

, ‘if it is Latin, let

an transform himself into any creature he likes, and will understand the language of all animals. When he wishes to resume the human form, he has only to bow three times towards the east,

dismissed him. Then he said to his Vizier, ‘That’s what I call a good bargain, Mansor. I am longing for the moment when I can become some animal. To-morr

I

servants to remain at home, started off with the Grand Vizier only in attendance. First they walked through the palace gardens, but they looked in vain for some creature which could tempt them to try their magic power. At length th

rk strutting up and down with a stately air, hunting for frogs, and now and then muttering something

nd Vizier, ‘that these two long legs will have a good chat t

e men once more. True! Bow three times towards the east and say “Mutabor!” and I shall be

g towards the earth. Quickly he drew the box from his girdle, took a good pinch of the

clumsy stork’s feet, their arms to wings; their necks began to sprout from between their shoul

after standing for some time lost in astonishment. ‘By the

say so, your Highness is even handsomer as a stork than as a Caliph. But come, if it so pleases you,

troked down its feathers, and then advanced towards the first stork. The two newly made stor

Longlegs. You are ou

ng myself a morsel of breakfast. May I off

ere for a very different purpose. I am to dance to-day before my fathe

n one leg, and flapped her wings gracefully up and down, they could hold out no longer; a prolonged peal burst from each of their bills, and it was some time before they could recover their composure.

once communicated his fears to the Caliph, who exclaimed, ‘By Mecca and Medina! it would indeed prove but a poor joke if

eastwards and say “Mu .

word was quite forgotten, and however often the Caliph bowed and however touchingly his Vizier cried ‘Mu

I

id themselves of their new forms; there was no use in returning to the town and saying who they were; for who would believe a stork w

in eating with their long bills. They did not much care to eat frogs or lizards. Their one comfort in their sad plig

, they perceived a splendid procession passing below them along the street. Drums and trumpets sounded, a man in a scarlet mantle, embroidered in gold, sat o

d? This Mirza is the son of my deadly enemy, the mighty magician Kaschnur, who in an evil moment vowed vengeance on me. Still I will not d

ce roof, and spread the

y matter, for the two storks ha

no longer; you really fly too quick for me. Besides, it is nearly eveni

in which they proposed to pass the night had apparently been formerly a castle. Some handsome pillars still stood amongst the heaps of ruins, and several rooms, which yet

and still more for a stork, to be afraid of ghosts, I should feel quite nervo

ave heart beat, tore himself away with the loss of a few feathers, and hurried down a dark passage. He saw a door which stood ajar, and through which he distinctly heard sighs, mingled with sobs. He pushed open the door with his bill, but remained on the threshold, astonished at the sight which met his eyes. On the floor of the ruined chamber — which was but scantily lighted by a small barred window

eliverance, for it was foretold me that a piece

‘Oh, screech owl! from your words I am led to believe that we see in you a companion in misfortune. But, alas! your hope that

late it, and the Caliph accordin

V

ded my hand for his son Mirza. My father — who is rather hasty — ordered him to be thrown downstairs. The wretch not long after managed to approach me under another form, and one day, when I was in the garden, and asked for some refreshment, he brought me — in the disguise of a slave — a draught which changed me at once to this

ls; the beauties of nature are hidden from me, for I am blind by day, and it is only when the moon sheds her pale light on this spot that the veil fal

I am not much mistaken,’ said he, ‘there is some mysterious connection betw

man foretold that a stork would bring me some great happiness, and I think I could tell you

oom is a large hall where he is in the habit of feasting with his companions. I have often watched them. They te

ed the Caliph, ‘say, when does

‘Do not think me unkind, but I can on

sid; ‘command, I will gla

ke to be free too; but this can only be if on

is suggestion, and the Caliph beckoned to

ph said: ‘Grand Vizier, this is a tireso

eyes out! Besides, I am an old man, and your Highness is still young and

ngs drooped in a dejected manner; ‘how do you know she

to the end of his days than marry the owl, he determined to fulfil the condition himself. The owl was delighted. Sh

gap near which they stood they could with ease survey the whole of the large hall. It was adorned with splendid carved pillars; a number of coloured lamps replaced the light of day. In the middle of the hall stood a round table covered with a variety of dishes, and a

did you give them?’ ask

lt Latin word;

of my friend and myself, as a proof of my eternal gratitude, accept me as your husband.’ Then he turned towards the east. Three times the storks bowed their long necks to the sun, which was just rising over the mountains. ‘Mutabor!’ they both cried, and in an instant they

d to the Caliph, and asked: ‘Do y

ever befallen him. The three set out at once for Bagdad. Fortunately, the Caliph found not only the box with the magic powder, but also his purse in h

n. He had been quite given up for dead, and the people

he Princess had lived as an owl, and there had him hanged. As the son, however, knew nothing of his father’s acts, the Caliph gave him his choice between death and a pinch of the magic snuff. When he ch

was a stork. He would strut gravely, and with well-stiffened legs, up and down the room, chattering, and showing how he had vainly bowed to the east and cried ‘Mu . . . Mu . . . ’ The Caliphess and her children were always much entertained by this per