Ali was torn between his friendship and his love. Did he not love the princess? Did she not love him? Was the mysterious pearl, the condition for marrying her, not within reach? Was it not Allah’s predestination that he alone should have a friend who could acquire it from the bottom of the sea? Yes, but at so terrible a price! Could he accept a gift for which a life was paid? What would happen to him afterward living in a strange palace without his friend there to answer his questions? Ever since he had this friend, prosperity had accompanied him. He was a poor fisherboy, his friend had made him a rich merchant. Could anyone build his happiness on other people’s unhappiness?

"No!" exclaimed Ali. “I cannot do it! I value your friendship higher than the love of a sultan’s daughter. I may not accept such a terrible price. Nothing is worth more than a trusted friend. Please continue to live with me as my friend, for as long as we live.”

A pearl beyond price. A peal of thunder deafened his ears, and rain fell in torrents. For a long time nothing was visible. At last the sky cleared, and the parting clouds revealed the moon. In the silver light Ali saw not a man but a well-shaped girl. “I will,” she said. “I will live with you for as long as we live, but from now on as your humble jariya [girl servant]. Know, my friend and master, that I was born as a girl on the same day as the princess, but in a humble fisherman’s cabin.

My father caught so many fish that he aroused the wrath of the king of the sea djinns. His success also made him forget his daily prayers, and that was why the king of the sea djinns had power over him. One bad day my father’s boat sank. He drowned, and I was changed into a sea star by the djinns to atone for his sins. The curse would be lifted as soon as a human being showed me mercy three times. You have delivered me of this curse, so I will serve you for the rest of my life.”

In the moonlight Ali could see that she was even more beautiful than the princess, so he decided to marry her instead. The name of this lovely girl, who was once a sea star and a fish, was Lulu, which means “pearl.”

The king of the sea djinns sent Ali a present in the form of two dozen mules loaded with treasures such as rare shells, marine moonstones, and gold and silver vessels from ancient ships now lying on the ocean floor.