' said Wali Dad, much relieved to be rid of them.

So, the next time that the merchant journeyed that way he carried the
silks with him, and in due course arrived at Nekabad, and sought an
audience of the prince. When he was shown into his presence he
produced the beautiful gift of silks that Wali Dad had sent, and
begged the young man to accept them as a humble tribute to his worth
and greatness. The prince was much touched by the generosity of the
giver, and ordered, as a return present, twelve of the finest breed of
horses for which his country was famous to be delivered over to the
merchant, to whom also, before he took his leave, he gave a munificent
reward for his services.

As before, the merchant at last arrived at home; and next day, he set
out for Wali Dad's house with the twelve horses. When the old man saw
them coming in the distance he said to himself: 'Here's luck! a troop
of horses coming! They are sure to want quantities of grass, and I
shall sell all I have without having to drag it to market.' Thereupon
he rushed off and cut grass as fast as he could. When he got back,
with as much grass as he could possibly carry, he was greatly
discomfited to find that the horses were all for himself. At first he
could not think what to do with them, but, after a little, a brilliant
idea struck him! He gave two to the merchant, and begged him to take
the rest to the princess of Khaistan, who was clearly the fittest
person to possess such beautiful animals.

The merchant departed, laughing. But, true to his old friend's
request, he took the horses with him on his next journey, and
eventually presented them safely to the princess. This time the
princess sent for the merchant, and questioned him about the giver.
Now, the merchant was usually a most honest man, but he did not quite
like to describe Wali Dad in his true light as an old man whose income
was five halfpence a day, and who had hardly clothes to cover him. So
he told her that his friend had heard stories of her beauty and
goodness, and had longed to lay the best he had at her feet. The
princess then took her father into her confidence, and begged him to
advise her what courtesy she might return to one who persisted in
making her such presents.

'Well,' said the king, 'you cannot refuse them; so the best thing you
can do is to send this unknown friend at once a present so magnificent
that he is not likely to be able to send you anything better, and so
will