nab ws Prince Ahmed

i

‘*No, no, replied the fairy Pari Banou, ‘whatever advice the
magician can give him (for I see that he hearkens to her), he
shall find no fault with you or me. There is a great deal of
wickedness in this demand, as you will understand by what I am
going to tell you. The fountain of lions is situated in the middle
of a court of a great castle, the entrance into which is guarded by .
four fierce lions, two of which sleep while the other two are awake
alternately. But let not that frighten you. I will give you means
to pass by them without any danger.’

The fairy. Pari Banou was at that time hard at work with her.
needle ; and as she had by her several balls of thread, she took up
one, and presenting it to Prince Ahmed, said, ‘ First take this ball of
thread ; I will tell you presently the use of it. In the second place,
you must have two horses; one you will ride yourself, and the other
you will lead, which must be loaded with a sheep cut into four
quarters, and killed to-day. In the third place, you must be provided —
with a bottle, which I will give you, to bring the water in. Set out
early to-morrow morning, and when you have passed the iron gate,
throw before you the ball of thread, which will roll till it comes to
the gates of the castle. When it stops, as the gates will be open,
you will see the four lions. The two that are awake will, by their
roaring, wake the other two. Be not frightened, but throw each
-of them a quarter of the sheep, and then clap spurs to your horse,
.and ride to the fountain. Fill your bottle without alighting, and
then return with the same speed. The lions will be so busy eating
that they will let you pass.’ :

_ Prince Ahmed set out the next morning at the time appotned by
the fairy, and followed her directions carefully. ‘When he arrived at
the gates of the castle, he distributed the quarters of the sheep among
the four lions, and passing through the midst of them with haste, got
to the fountain, filled his bottle, and returned. as safe and sound as
he went. When he was a. little distance from the castle gates, he