"Listen also to my tale, and learn that I am not less unfortunate than yourself. My father is king of India. I, his only and unhappy daughter, am named Lusa. That same Sorcerer, Kaschnur, who transformed you, plunged me also into misery. One day he came to my father and demanded me in marriage for his son Mizra. But my father, who is a quick tempered man, had him thrown down-stairs. The wretch found means, by assuming other forms, of approaching me; and one day, as I was taking the air in my garden, he appeared, dressed as a slave, and handed me a drink that changed me into this horrible shape. He brought me here senseless from fright, and shouted in my ears with a terrible voice: 'Here you shall remain, ugly, despised by every creature, until death; or till some man voluntarily offers to marry you in your present form! Thus do I revenge myself on you and your proud father!' Since then many months have passed. Lonely and sad, I live as a hermit within these walls, abhorred by the world, despised even by animals, shut out from all enjoyment of the beauties of nature, as I am blind by day, and only at night, when the moon sheds its pale light over these walls, does the veil fall from my eyes." The owl finished her story, and once more brushed away with her wing the tears which the recital of her sufferings had caused. The Caliph was sunk in deep thought over the story of the Princess. "Unless I am greatly in error," said he, "there is a hidden connection between our misfortunes; but where shall I find the key to this riddle?" "O, Sire," the owl replied, "I suspect that too, for when I was a little child it was foretold me by a soothsayer that a stork would sometime bring me great good fortune. And I think I know a way by which we can accomplish our own rescue." In great surprise the Caliph asked her in what way she meant. "The sorcerer who has done this wrong to us both," she answered, "comes once a month to these ruins. Not far from here there is a room in which he is accustomed to hold a banquet with many of his fellows. Many times have I heard them there. On these occasions they relate to each other their shameful deeds. Perhaps then he will divulge the magic word you have forgotten." "O, dearest Princess," cried the Caliph, "tell us, when does he come, and where is the banqueting hall?" The owl remained silent for a moment, and then said: "Do not take it unkindly; but only on one condition can I inform you." "Speak out! speak out!" exclaimed Chasid. "Whatever your condition it will be acceptable to me." "Well then, I am also desirous of being set free; but this can only happen by one of you offering me his hand." The storks were somewhat disconcerted at this proposal; and the Caliph beckoned his follower to leave the room with him. "Grand Vizier," said the Caliph, closing the door behind them, "this is a pretty piece of business! But you, now, might take her."