sin, which increased to the quantity you
see, by a property peculiar to itself, and formed this fountain."
"Well," said the emperor, going from the fountain, "this is enough for
one time. I promise myself the pleasure to come and visit it often; but
now let us go and see the Talking Bird."

As he went toward the hall, the emperor perceived a prodigious number of
singing birds in the trees around, filling the air with their songs and
warblings, and asked why there were so many there and none on the other
trees in the garden. "The reason, sir," answered the princess, "is
because they come from all parts to accompany the song of the Talking
Bird, which your majesty may see in a cage in one of the windows of the
hall we are approaching; and if you attend, you will perceive that his
notes are sweeter than those of any of the other birds, even the
nightingale's."

The emperor went into the hall; and as the Bird continued singing, the
princess raised her voice, and said, "My slave, here is the emperor, pay
your compliments to him." The Bird left off singing that instant, when
all the other birds ceased also, and said: "The emperor is welcome; God
prosper him and prolong his life!" As the entertainment was served on
the sofa near the window where the Bird was placed, the sultan replied,
as he was taking his seat: "Bird, I thank you, and am overjoyed to find
in you the sultan and king of birds."

As soon as the emperor saw the dish of cucumbers set before him,
thinking they were prepared in the best manner, he reached out his hand
and took one; but when he cut it, was in extreme surprise to find it
stuffed with pearls. "What novelty is this?" said he; "and with what
design were these cucumbers stuffed thus with pearls, since pearls are
not to be eaten?" He looked at his hosts to ask them the meaning when
the Bird interrupting him, said: "Can your majesty be in such great
astonishment at cucumbers stuffed with pearls, which you see with your
own eyes, and yet so easily believe that the queen, your wife, gave
birth to a dog, a cat, and a piece of wood?" "I believed those things,"
replied the emperor, "because the attendants assured me of the facts."
"Those attendants, sir," replied the Bird, "were the queen's two
sisters, who, envious of her happiness in being preferred by your
majesty before them, to satisfy their envy and revenge, have abused your
majesty's credulity. If you interrogate them, they will confess their
crime. Th