--- title: Opening, part 14 — The Jade Story Book; Stories from the Orient · full text with trees · page 2 description: Opening, part 14, «The Jade Story Book; Stories from the Orient» by Penrhyn Wingfield Coussens: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: When the sorceress had finished her speech, the sultan asked his councillors if they had anything better to propose; a --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/14/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [The Jade Story Book; Stories from the…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/) / Opening, part 14 # Opening, part 14 · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/14/) **2** The next morning Prince Ahmed returned to the fairy Perie Banou, and related to her sincerely and faithfully all that had passed at his father’s court from the giving of the tent, which he told her he received with the utmost gratitude, to the new request he had charged him to make.[52](../../52/ "tree and pragmatics") He added, “But, my princess, I only tell you this as a plain account of what passed between me and my father.[53](../../53/ "tree and pragmatics") I leave you to your own pleasure, whether you will gratify or reject this new desire.[54](../../54/ "tree and pragmatics") It shall be as you please.”[55](../../55/ "tree and pragmatics") “No, no,” replied the fairy, “I will satisfy the sultan, and whatever advice the sorceress may give him (for I see that he harkens to her counsel) he shall find no fault with you or me.[56](../../56/ "tree and pragmatics") There is much wickedness in this demand, as you will understand by what I am going to tell you.[57](../../57/ "tree and pragmatics") 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.[58](../../58/ "tree and pragmatics") But let not that frighten you.[59](../../59/ "tree and pragmatics") I will supply you with means to pass them without danger.”[60](../../60/ "tree and pragmatics") The fairy Perie Banou was at that time 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, and I will tell you presently the use of it.[61](../../61/ "tree and pragmatics") In the second place, you must have two horses.[62](../../62/ "tree and pragmatics") One you must ride yourself, and the other you must lead, loaded with a sheep cut into four quarters.[63](../../63/ "tree and pragmatics") In the third place, you must be provided with a bottle, which I will give you, to bring the water in.[64](../../64/ "tree and pragmatics") Set out early to-morrow morning, and when you have passed the gate throw before you the ball of thread, which will roll till it reaches the gates of the castle.[65](../../65/ "tree and pragmatics") Follow it, and when it stops the gates will be open, and you will see the four lions.[66](../../66/ "tree and pragmatics") The two that are awake will, by their roaring, wake the other two.[67](../../67/ "tree and pragmatics") Be not alarmed, but throw each of them a quarter of the sheep, and then clap spurs to your horse and ride to the fountain.[68](../../68/ "tree and pragmatics") Fill your bottle without alighting, and return with the same speed.[69](../../69/ "tree and pragmatics") The lions will be so busy eating they will let you pass unmolested.”[70](../../70/ "tree and pragmatics") Prince Ahmed set out the next morning at the time appointed by the fairy, and followed her directions punctually.[71](../../71/ "tree and pragmatics") 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 speed, got to the fountain, filled his bottle, and returned safe.[72](../../72/ "tree and pragmatics") When he had proceeded a little distance from the castle gates he turned about; and perceiving two of the lions coming after him, drew his sword, and prepared himself for defence.[73](../../73/ "tree and pragmatics") But as he went forwards, he saw one of them turn out of the road to pass by him, and it showed by its actions that it did not come to do him any harm, but only to go before him.[74](../../74/ "tree and pragmatics") The other followed behind.[75](../../75/ "tree and pragmatics") He therefore put his sword into its scabbard.[76](../../76/ "tree and pragmatics") Guarded in this manner he arrived at the capital of the Indies; but the lions never left him till they had conducted him to the gates of the sultan’s palace; after which they returned the way they had come, though not without alarming the populace, who fled or hid themselves to avoid them, notwithstanding they walked gently and showed no signs of fierceness.[77](../../77/ "tree and pragmatics") A number of officers came to attend the prince while he dismounted, and conduct him to the apartment of the sultan, who was at that time conversing with his councillors.[78](../../78/ "tree and pragmatics") He approached the throne, laid the bottle at the sultan’s feet, kissed the rich carpet which covered the footstool, and rising, said, “I have brought you, sire, the healthful water which your majesty so much wished for; but at the same time I wish you such health as never to have occasion to make use of it.”[79](../../79/ "tree and pragmatics") After the prince had concluded his compliment, the sultan placed him on his right hand, and said, “Son, I am much obliged to you for this valuable present, as also for the great danger you have exposed yourself to on my account; but I have one thing yet to ask of you, after which I shall expect nothing more from your obedience, nor from your interest with your fairy wife.[80](../../80/ "tree and pragmatics") This request is, to bring me a man not above a foot and a half high, whose beard is thirty feet long, and who carries on his shoulders a bar of iron of five hundredweight, which he uses as a quarter-staff.”[81](../../81/ "tree and pragmatics") Next day the prince returned to Perie Banou, to whom he related his father’s new demand, “which,” he said, “I look on to be a thing more difficult than the two first, for I cannot imagine there is or can be such a man in the world.[82](../../82/ "tree and pragmatics") Without doubt he seeks my ruin; but if there are any means, I beg you will tell me how I may come off with honor this time also.”[83](../../83/ "tree and pragmatics") “Do not alarm yourself, prince,” replied the fairy; “you ran a risk in fetching the water of the fountain of lions for your father, but there is no danger in finding this man.[84](../../84/ "tree and pragmatics") He is my brother Schaibar.[85](../../85/ "tree and pragmatics") Though we both had the same parents, he is of so violent a nature that his resentment kindles at the slightest offence; yet, on the other hand, he is so liberal as to oblige any one who shows him a kindness.[86](../../86/ "tree and pragmatics") I will send for him, but prepare yourself not to be alarmed at his extraordinary figure.”[87](../../87/ "tree and pragmatics") “What, my queen!” replied Prince Ahmed, “do you say Schaibar is your brother?[88](../../88/ "tree and pragmatics") Let him be ever so ugly or deformed, I shall love and honor him as your nearest relation.”[89](../../89/ "tree and pragmatics") The fairy ordered a gold chafing-dish to be lighted on the porch of her palace.[90](../../90/ "tree and pragmatics") She took some incense and threw it into the fire, when there arose a thick cloud of smoke.[91](../../91/ "tree and pragmatics") Some moments after the fairy said to Prince Ahmed, “Prince, there comes my brother, do you see him?”[92](../../92/ "tree and pragmatics") The prince immediately perceived Schaibar, who, as he came forward, looked at the prince with a glance that chilled his soul in his body, and asked Perie Banou, when he first accosted her, who that man was.[93](../../93/ "tree and pragmatics") To which she replied, “His name is Ahmed.[94](../../94/ "tree and pragmatics") He is a son of the Sultan of the Indies, and my husband, brother.[95](../../95/ "tree and pragmatics") I did not invite you to my wedding, because you were engaged in a distant expedition, from which I heard with pleasure you returned victorious; but on my husband’s account I have taken the liberty now to call for you.”[96](../../96/ "tree and pragmatics") At these words, Schaibar, gazing at Prince Ahmed with a favorable eye, which, however, diminished neither his fierceness nor savage look, said, “It is enough for me that he is your husband, to engage me to do for him whatever he wishes.”[97](../../97/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/14/) **2** - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/14/) - next →: [Opening, part 15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/15/) - ↑ back to [The Jade Story Book; Stories from the Orient](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/)