by the example and
conversation of such a person as you, who have taken the right way by
dedicating yourself to the service of God. I wish every one were as
wise."

The devout woman, instead of sitting on a sofa, would only sit upon the
edge of one. The princess would not permit her to do so, but rising from
her seat and taking her by the hand, obliged her to come and sit by her.
The good woman, sensible of the civility, said: "Madam, I ought not to
have so much respect shown me; but since you command, and are mistress
of your own house, I will obey you." When she had seated herself, before
they entered into any conversation, one of the princess's women brought
a low stand of mother-of-pearl and ebony, with a china dish full of
cakes upon it, and many others set round it full of fruits in season,
and wet and dry sweetmeats.

The princess took up one of the cakes, and presenting her with it, said:
"Eat, good mother, and make choice of what you like best; you had need
to eat after coming so far." "Madam," replied the good woman, "I am not
used to eat such delicacies, but will not refuse what God has sent me by
so liberal a hand as yours."

While the devout woman was eating, the princess ate a little too, to
bear her company, and asked her many questions upon the exercise of
devotion which she practised and how she lived; all of which she
answered with great modesty. Talking of various things, at last the
princess asked her what she thought of the house, and how she liked it.

"Madam," answered the devout woman, "I must certainly have very bad
taste to disapprove anything in it, since it is beautiful, regular, and
magnificently furnished with exactness and judgment, and all its
ornaments adjusted in the best manner. Its situation is an agreeable
spot, and no garden can be more delightful; but yet, if you will give me
leave to speak my mind freely, I will take the liberty to tell you that
this house would be incomparable if it had three things which are
wanting to complete it." "My good mother," replied the Princess
Periezade, "what are those? I entreat you to tell me what they are; I
will spare nothing to get them."

"Madam," replied the devout woman, "the first of these three things is
the Talking Bird, so singular a creature, that it draws round it all the
songsters of the neighbourhood which come to accompany its voice. The
second is the Singing Tree, the leaves of which are so many mouths which
form an harmonious