“Commander of the Faithful,” answered Zobeide, “the fairy did leave with me a bundle of hair, saying that her presence would one day be of use to me; and then, if I only burned two tufts of this hair, she would be with me in a moment.” “Madam,” demanded the caliph, “where is the bundle of hair?” She answered, “Ever since that time I have been so careful of it, that I always carry it about me.” Upon which she pulled it out of the case which contained it, and showed it to him. “Well, then,” said the caliph, “let us bring the fairy hither; you could not call her at a better time, for I long to see her.”
Zobeide having consented, fire was brought in, and she threw the whole bundle of hair into it. The palace at that instant began to shake, and the fairy appeared before the caliph in the form of a lady very richly dressed.
“Commander of the Faithful,” said she to the prince, “you see I am ready to receive your commands. At your wish I will not only restore these two sisters to their former shape, but I will also cure this lady of her scars, and tell you who it was that abused her.”
The caliph sent for the two dogs from Zobeide’s house, and when they came a glass of water was brought to the fairy by her desire. She pronounced over it some words, which nobody understood; then throwing some part of it upon Amina, and the rest upon the dogs, the latter became two ladies of surprising beauty, and the scars that were upon
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