he was dumbfounded, the merchant, who was ushered into his presence
soon after sunrise, was much more so. He told Wali Dad that he had not
slept all night, and by the first streak of daylight had started to
seek out his friend. And what a search he had had! A great stretch of
wild jungle country had, in the night, been changed into parks and
gardens; and if it had not been for some of Wali Dad's new servants,
who found him and brought him to the palace, he would have fled away
under the impression that his trouble had sent him crazy, and that all
he saw was only imagination.

Then Wali Dad told the merchant all that had happened. By his advice
he sent an invitation to the king and princess of Khaistan to come and
be his guests, together with all their retinue and servants, down to
the very humblest in the camp.

For three nights and days a great feast was held in honour of the
royal guests. Every evening the king and his nobles were served on
golden plates and from golden cups; and the smaller people on silver
plates and from silver cups; and each evening each guest was requested
to keep the plates and cups that they had used as a remembrance of the
occasion. Never had anything so splendid been seen. Besides the great
dinners, there were sports and hunting, and dances, and amusements of
all sorts.

On the fourth day the king of Khaistan took his host aside, and asked
him whether it was true, as he had suspected, that he wished to marry
his daughter. But Wali Dad, after thanking him very much for the
compliment, said that he had never dreamed of so great an honour, and
that he was far too old and ugly for so fair a lady; but he begged the
king to stay with him until he could send for the Prince of Nekabad,
who was a most excellent, brave, and honourable young man, and would
surely be delighted to try to win the hand of the beautiful princess.

To this the king agreed, and Wali Dad sent the merchant to Nekabad,
with a number of attendants, and with such handsome presents that the
prince came at once, fell head over ears in love with the princess,
and married her at Wali Dad's palace amidst a fresh outburst of
rejoicings.

And now the King of Khaistan and the Prince and Princess of Nekabad,
each went back to their own country; and Wali Dad lived to a good old
age, befriending all who were in trouble, and preserving, in his
prosperity, the simple-hearted and generous nature that he had when he
was only Wali Dad Gunja