` What do you want ? ' asked he . ` The head , your master , bids you open the trunk , and to give me the red purse which you will find in it . ' ` Very well , good mother , I will do so , ' answered the negro , and , the moment after he had vanished , he reappeared with the purse in his hand . This time the money seemed so endless that the old woman built herself a new house , and filled it with the most beautiful things that were to be found in the shops . Her daughters were always wrapped in veils that looked as if they were woven out of sunbeams , and their dresses shone with precious stones . The neighbours wondered where all this sudden wealth had sprung from , but nobody knew about the head . ` Good mother , ' said the head , one day , ` this morning you are to go to the city and ask the sultan to give me his daughter for my bride . ' ` Do what ? ' asked the old woman in amazement . ` How can I tell the sultan that a head without a body wishes to become his son-in-law ? They will think that I am mad , and I shall be hooted from the palace and stoned by the children . ' ` Do as I bid you , ' replied the head ; ` it is my will . ' The old woman was afraid to say anything more , and , putting on her richest clothes , started for the palace . The sultan granted her an audience at once , and , in a trembling voice , she made her request . ` Are you mad , old woman ? ' said the sultan , staring at her . ` The wooer is powerful , O Sultan , and nothing is impossible to him . ' ` Is that true ? ' ` It is , O Sultan ; I swear it , ' answered she .
` Then let him show his power XXXXX doing three things , and I will give him my daughter . '
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