The Wanderings of Vicram Maharajah

"

His friend was surprised and delighted. "I'd nearly given up on our love," he said, "knowing how impossible her parents made it to reach her and even if I survived the attempt, that they would never approve a match for their daughter with a lowly vizier. How can you do what you suggest?"

"I will transport myself into the body of a parrot and fly over the seven hedges or bayonets that surround her garden. I'll go to the tree in the center of it, bite off the stalks of the pomegranates and bring them home in my beak."

"That's wonderful," said the vizier. He picked up a parrot on the ground which had recently died. Vicram Maharajah, after placing within his own body the life-preserving charm, transported his soul into the parrot and flew off.

On and on he went over the hills and far away until he came to the garden. Then he flew over the seven hedges of bayonets, and with his beak broke off the three pomegranates (in which were Anar Ranee and her two ladies). Holding them by the stalks, he brought them safely home to his palace. Then he immediately left the parrot's body and re-entered his own body.

When Butti saw how well he had accomplished the feat, he said, "Thank you! Already you have done well with your gift!" All who saw Anar Ranee were pleased with her beauty, for she was as fair as a lotus flower, and the vizier and Anar Ranee were very happy indeed.

But in a little while Vicram Maharajah said to Butti, "Again, I have a great desire to see the world."

"What?" said the vizier, "so soon again to leave your home?"

"I love you and my people dearly," answered the king, "but I cannot but feel a longing to use this supernatural power of taking any form I please to see the world."

"Where will you go? How long will you be?" asked Butti.

"I'll leave the day after tomorrow," answered Vicram Maharajah.