The girl prospered and
soon became a pretty little lady. The lion king loved her
and visited her every day. During these visits he told her
stories. As she grew up he began to teach her, first the art
of reading and writing, and later the art of making things
like women's ornaments of gold and silver. Finally he taught
her the art of magic, which means the capability to make a
thing that one wishes to exist at once. Soon she learned how
to think hard about something until it took shape. In time,
she grew well acquainted with the magical arts. Indeed, she
became a famous magician. Everyone knew her as Lalla the
Lion's Daughter, a woman who would cure sickness and heal
wounds, for she had a charitable character.
Marriage and mystery
Lalla was now grown up and extremely pretty. All the ladies
in the country talked about her. Soon the human king's son
heard of her. The prince decided that he wanted to marry her
and no one else. His father objected, saying that his son
should not wed below his station. On the contrary, the king
assured the prince, true princesses could be found who would
gladly marry him.
But the prince persisted, and finally the king consented.
Ladies of the court were sent as delegates to the lion
king's palace to seek Haidar's permission for the marriage.
The ladies were permitted to visit Lalla in her own palace.
Of course, they were delighted to see that she was not a
lion cub but an exceedingly beautiful human girl.
At nightfall servants with lanterns showed the ladies to
sumptuous bedrooms where they found numerous presents
waiting for them. These gifts included the most exquisite
garments and sandals, perfumes, jewelry, sweets, and many
other things. When the ladies departed the next day, the
lion king gave them numerous presents for their king and
queen. For the prince there was a golden engagement ring
with a stone of unusual beauty. They needed a dozen camels
to transport the lion's presents.
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|
|
The
third wife burns her hands horribly while trying to
repeat Lalla's magic.. |
On their arrival at
Haidar's palace, the lady delegates had found a steel wall
surrounding the courtyard and buildings. Now, as they
departed, they saw to their surprise that the wall had
disappeared and was replaced by a splendid garden full of
flowering rosebushes and jasmine trees. The lion king
greeted them before they left the grounds. He told the
ladies to close their eyes and count to three. When they
opened their eyes they found themselves standing in front of
the palace in the center of their own city. The king's
guards opened the gate and the ladies entered his court,
followed by the lion's twelve camels.
On hearing that the engagement ring was his son's only
present, the king reflected that this seemed rather miserly
for a father-in-law known for his fabulous wealth. So, the
king called the court jeweler and showed him the ring. The
jeweler examined it, then said: "Sire, in all your kingdom
there is nothing of greater value than this stone. It has no
price. Indeed, you could buy a kingdom for it!"
The king was ashamed that he had suspected the lion, a jinn
who could make wealth by magic, of meanness. Meanwhile,
before sending his adopted daughter to the king's palace,
Haidar told her a secret: "You may not speak to the prince
your husband until he calls you by your real name."
"My real name?"
"It is Lalla Shams al Komoor, or Lady Sun-of-Moons, for you
are like the sun amid many moons. Submit to your
husband--that is the rule--and bear him children, but never
say a word to him. He will take other wives just to punish
you, but it will only be a trap. You will be able to dispose
of those women but only by not speaking to the prince." |
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