med very angry at my compassion, and
opposed my order.

I then said to my steward, "Make the sacrifice yourself; the
lamentations and tears of the animal have overcome me."

The steward was less compassionate, and sacrificed her. On taking off
the skin we found hardly anything but bones, though she appeared very
fat.

"Take her away," said I to the steward, truly chagrined, "and if you
have a very fat calf, bring it in her place."

He returned with a remarkably fine calf, who, as soon as he perceived
me, made so great an effort to come to me that he broke his cord. He
lay down at my feet, with his head on the ground, as if he endeavored
to excite my compassion, and to entreat me not to have the cruelty to
take away his life.

"Wife," said I, "I will not sacrifice this calf, I wish to favor him.
Do not you, therefore, oppose it."

She, however, did not agree to my proposal; and continued to demand
his sacrifice so obstinately that I was compelled to yield. I bound
the calf, and took the fatal knife to bury it in his throat, when he
turned his eyes, filled with tears, so persuasively upon me, that I
had no power to execute my intention. The knife fell from my hand, and
I told my wife I was determined to have another calf. She tried every
means to induce me to alter my mind; I continued firm, however, in my
resolution, in spite of all she could say; promising, for the sake of
appeasing her, to sacrifice this calf at the feast of Bairam on the
following year.

The next morning my steward desired to speak with me in private. He
informed me that his daughter, who had some knowledge of magic, wished
to speak with me. On being admitted to my presence, she informed me
that during my absence my wife had turned the slave and my son into a
cow and calf, that I had already sacrificed the cow, but that she
could restore my son to life if I would give him to her for her
husband, and allow her to visit my wife with the punishment her
cruelty had deserved. To these proposals I gave my consent.

The damsel then took a vessel full of water, and pronouncing over it
some words I did not understand, she threw the water over the calf,
and he instantly regained his own form.

"My son! My son!" I exclaimed, and embraced him with transport. "This
damsel has destroyed the horrible charm with which you were
surrounded. I am sure your gratitude will induce you to marry her, as
I have already promised for you."

He joyfully consented;