When Prince Ahmed saw the pavilion which the Fairy called the largest in her treasury , he fancied she had a mind to jest with him , and thereupon the marks of his surprise appeared presently in his countenance ; which Paribanou perceiving burst out laughing . `` What ! Prince , '' cried she , `` do you think I jest with you ? You 'll see presently that I am in earnest . Nourgihan , '' said she to her treasurer , taking the tent out of Prince Ahmed 's hands , `` go and set it up , that the Prince may judge whether it may be large enough for the Sultan his father . '' The treasurer went immediately with it out of the palace , and carried it a great way off ; and when she had set it up one end reached to the very palace ; at which time the Prince , thinking it small , found it large enough to shelter two greater armies than that of the Sultan his father 's , and then said to Paribanou : `` I ask my Princess a thousand pardons for my incredulity ; after what I have seen I believe there is nothing impossible to you . '' `` You see , '' said the Fairy , `` that the pavilion is larger than what your father may have occasion for ; for you must know that it has one property -- that it is larger or smaller according to the army it is to cover . '' The treasurer took down the tent again , and brought it to the Prince , who took it , and , without staying any longer than till the next day , mounted his horse , and went with the same attendants to the Sultan his father . The Sultan , who was persuaded that there could not be any such thing as such a tent as he asked for , was in a great surprise at the Prince 's diligence . He took the tent and after he had admired its smallness his amazement was so great that he could not recover himself . When the tent was set up in the great plain , which we have before mentioned , he found it large enough to shelter an army twice as large as he could bring into the field . But the Sultan was not yet satisfied . `` Son , '' said he , `` I have already expressed to you how much I am obliged to you for the present of the tent you have procured me ; that I look upon it as the most valuable thing in all my treasury . But you must do one thing more for me , which will be every whit as agreeable to me . I am informed that the Fairy , your spouse , makes use of a certain water , called the Water of the Fountain of Lions , which cures all sorts of fevers , even the most dangerous , and , as I am perfectly well persuaded my health is dear to you , I do n't doubt but you will ask her for a bottle of that water for me , and bring it me as a sovereign medicine , which I may make use of when I have occasion . Do me this other important piece of service , and thereby complete the duty of a good son toward a tender father . '' The Prince returned and told the Fairy what his father had said ; `` There 's a great deal of wickedness in this demand ? '' she answered , `` as you will understand by what I am going to tell you . The Fountain of Lions is situated in the middle of a court of a great castle , the entrance into which is guarded by four fierce lions , two of which sleep alternately , while the other two are awake . But do n't let that frighten you : I 'll give you means to pass by them without any danger . ''
The Fairy XXXXX was at that time very hard at work , and , as she had several clews of thread by her , she took up one , and , presenting it to Prince Ahmed , said : `` First take this clew of thread .
Ahmed Lions Nourgihan Paribanou Prince Princess Sultan fevers palace whit