She was lying asleep on the sofa. She was so beautiful that the merchant’s son could not help kneeling down to kiss her hand, whereupon she awoke, and was not a little frightened at the sight of this unexpected visitor; but he told her, however, that he was the Turkish prophet, and had come down from the sky on purpose to woo her, and on hearing this she was well pleased. So they sat down side by side, and he talked to her about her eyes, how that they were beautiful dark-blue seas, and that thoughts and feelings floated like mermaidens therein; and he spoke of her brow, how that it was a fair snowy mountain, with splendid halls and pictures, and many other such like things he told her. [Illustration: HE MET A NURSE] Oh, these were charming stories! and thus he wooed the Princess, and she immediately said ‘Yes!’ ‘But you must come here on Saturday,’ said she; ‘the King and Queen have promised to drink tea with me that evening; they will be so proud and so pleased when they hear that I am to marry the Turkish prophet! And mind you tell them a very pretty story, for they are exceedingly fond of stories; my mother likes them to be very moral and aristocratic, and my father likes them to be merry, so as to make him laugh.’ ‘Yes, I shall bring no other bridal present than a tale,’ replied the merchant’s son; and here they parted, but not before the Princess had given her lover a sabre all covered with gold. He knew excellently well what use to make of this present. So he flew away, bought a new dressing-gown, and then sat down in the wood to compose the tale which was to be ready by Saturday, and certainly he found composition not the easiest thing in the world. At last he was ready, and at last Saturday came. The King, the Queen, and the whole court were waiting tea for him at the Princess’s palace. The suitor was received with much ceremony. ‘Will you not tell us a story?’ asked the Queen; ‘a story that is instructive and full of deep meaning.’ ‘But let it make us laugh,’ said the King. ‘With pleasure,’ replied the merchant’s son; and now you must hear his story:-- * * * * *