him, bowing low: "O my lord, King of the world, why does your Majesty wish
to go hunting in foreign countries?"
King Chah Djouhou replied: "I insist upon my plan of going to hunt in foreign
lands, in forests far removed from ours. I wish to go from place to place, from
plain to plain. Such is my will." The prince set out therefore accompanied by his
ministers, his chiefs, and his servants.
They had all been hunting for some time and had not yet found a single bit of
game. The prince had directed his march toward the forests of the country of
Bagdad. These forests were of immense extent. The heat was excessive, and the
prince, being very thirsty, wanted a drink of water. The people who generally
carried water for the King said to him: "O lord, sovereign of the world, your
Majesty's provision of water is entirely exhausted."
The prince then asked of his officers and servants: "Which of you can get me
water? I will reward him with riches and with slaves."
These words were heard by one of his officers named Asraf-el-Kaum. He said:
"O my lord, sovereign of the world, give me the vase which will serve for water,
and I will go and seek water for your Majesty."
Then the prince said to the people who had brought water for his use,
"Give my emerald pitcher into the hands of Asraf-el-Kaum."
The latter bowed low and started to seek water. Seeing from afar a very large
fig-tree, he advanced in that direction. Arriving near the tree he saw at its base
an oratory and a pond. At the oratory there was a woman of very great beauty.
The splendor of her countenance shone like that of the full moon at its fourteenth
day. Asraf-el-Kaum, astonished and moved with admiration, thought in his
heart: "Is this a human creature, or is it a peri?" and Asraf-el-Kaum saluted the
princess Djouher-Manikam, who returned the salutation.
Then the princess asked him, "What is your desire in coming here to my
dwelling?"
Asraf-el-Kaum answered, "I have come here to ask you for water, for I have lost
my way."
The princess said, "Take water, lord."