At the end of the avenue , on the very spot where his hut had stood , a gorgeous palace appeared , ablaze with myriads of lights . Its great porticoes and verandahs were occupied by hurrying servants , and guards paced to and fro and saluted him respectfully as he drew near , along mossy walks and through sweeping grassy lawns where fountains were playing and flowers scented the air . Wali Dad stood stunned and helpless . ` Fear not , ' said one of the peris ; ` go to your house , and learn that God rewards the simple-hearted . ' With these words they both disappeared and left him . He walked on , thinking still that he must be dreaming . Very soon he retired to rest in a splendid room , far grander than anything he had ever dreamed of . When morning dawned he woke , and found that the palace , and himself , and his servants were all real , and that he was not dreaming after all ! If he was dumbfounded , the merchant , who was ushered into his presence soon after sunrise , was much more so . He told Wali Dad that he had not slept all night , and by the first streak of daylight had started to seek out his friend . And what a search he had had ! A great stretch of wild jungle country had , in the night , been changed into parks and gardens ; and if it had not been for some of Wali Dad 's new servants , who found him and brought him to the palace , he would have fled away under the impression that his trouble had sent him crazy , and that all he saw was only imagination . Then Wali Dad told the merchant all that had happened . By his advice he sent an invitation to the king and princess of Khaistan to come and be his guests , together with all their retinue and servants , down to the very humblest in the camp . For three nights and days a great feast was held in honour of the royal guests . Every evening the king and his nobles were served on golden plates and from golden cups ; and the smaller people on silver plates and from silver cups ; and each evening each guest was requested to keep the places and cups that they had used as a remembrance of the occasion . Never had anything so splendid been seen . Besides the great dinners , there were sports and hunting , and dances , and amusements of all sorts . On the fourth day the king of Khaistan took his host aside , and asked him whether it was true , as he had suspected , that he wished to marry his daughter . But Wali Dad , after thanking him very much for the compliment , said that he had never dreamed of so great an honour , and that he was far too old and ugly for so fair a lady ; but he begged the king to stay with him until he could send for the Prince of Nekabad , who was a most excellent , brave , and honourable young man , and would surely be delighted to try to win the hand of the beautiful princess .
To this the king agreed , and Wali Dad sent the merchant to XXXXX , with a number of attendants , and with such handsome presents that the prince came at once , fell head over ears in love with the princess , and married her at Wali Dad 's palace amidst a fresh outburst of rejoicings .
Khaistan Nekabad daylight days fro morning myriads night peris porticoes