Story of the Peri and the Religious Man; his learning the Great Name; and his consulting with his Wife.

A HOLY man, who spent all his time in devotion, had a perī for his constant and familiar companion for many years. At length, the perī is obliged to leave him,* word having been brought her of the illness of one of her children. On parting, she teaches him the “Three Great Names” (of God), on pronouncing one of which, on any great emergency, his wish will be immediately accomplished. One night the shaykh communicates the circumstance to his wife, who dictates to him what he is to wish for. The result shows the folly of consulting with women; but it is unfit to be repeated. It is sufficient to say that the tale is similar to that of the “Three Wishes,” by La Fontaine, to Prior's “Ladle,” and to that given in Syntipas [p. 84 of Boissonade, p. 66 of Eberhard.]*

[The vazīr then recounts the stratagem of the old woman with the merchant's wife and the young man: