ing in the city. As he was passing
through a street in that part of the town inhabited only by the meaner
sort, he heard some people talking very loud; and going close to the
house whence the noise proceeded, and looking through a crack in the
door, perceived a light, and three sisters sitting on a sofa, conversing
together after supper. By what the eldest said he presently understood
the subject of their conversation was wishes: "for," said she, "since we
are talking about wishes, mine shall be to have the sultan's baker for
my husband, for then I shall eat my fill of that bread, which by way of
excellence is called the sultan's; let us see if your tastes are as good
as mine." "For my part," replied the second sister, "I wish I was wife
to the sultan's chief cook, for then I should eat of the most excellent
dishes; and as I am persuaded that the sultan's bread is common in the
palace, I should not want any of that; therefore you see," addressing
herself to her eldest sister, "that I have a better taste than you." The
youngest sister, who was very beautiful, and had more charms and wit
than the two elder, spoke in her turn: "For my part, sisters," said she,
"I shall not limit my desires to such trifles, but take a higher flight;
and since we are upon wishing, I wish to be the emperor's queen-consort.
I would make him father of a prince, whose hair should be gold on one
side of his head, and silver on the other; when he cried, the tears from
his eyes should be pearls; and when he smiled, his vermilion lips should
look like a rosebud fresh-blown."

The three sisters' wishes, particularly that of the youngest, seemed so
singular to the sultan, that he resolved to gratify them in their
desires; but without communicating his design to his grand vizier, he
charged him only to take notice of the house, and bring the three
sisters before him the following day.

The grand vizier, in executing the emperor's orders, would but just give
the sisters time to dress themselves to appear before his majesty,
without telling them the reason. He brought them to the palace, and
presented them to the emperor, who said to them, "Do you remember the
wishes you expressed last night, when you were all in so pleasant a
mood? Speak the truth; I must know what they were." At these unexpected
words of the emperor, the three sisters were much confounded. They cast
down their eyes and blushed, and the colour which rose in the cheeks of
the youngest q