Next day the Sultan did as the magician had advised him , and asked for the pavilion . Prince Ahmed never expected that the Sultan his father would have asked such a thing , which at first appeared so difficult , not to say impossible . Though he knew not absolutely how great the power of genies and fairies was , he doubted whether it extended so far as to compass such a tent as his father desired . At last he replied : `` Though it is with the greatest reluctance imaginable , I will not fail to ask the favor of my wife your Majesty desires , but will not promise you to obtain it ; and if I should not have the honor to come again to pay you my respects that shall be the sign that I have not had success . But beforehand , I desire you to forgive me , and consider that you yourself have reduced me to this extremity . '' `` Son , '' replied the Sultan of the Indies , `` I should be very sorry if what I ask of you should cause me the displeasure of never seeing you more . I find you do n't know the power a husband has over a wife ; and yours would show that her love to you was very indifferent if she , with the power she has of a fairy , should refuse you so trifling a request as this I desire you to ask of her for my sake . '' The Prince went back , and was very sad for fear of offending the Fairy . She kept pressing him to tell her what was the matter , and at last he said : `` Madam , you may have observed that hitherto I have been content with your love , and have never asked you any other favor . Consider then , I conjure you , that it is not I , but the Sultan my father , who indiscreetly , or at least I think so , begs of you a pavilion large enough to shelter him , his Court , and army from the violence of the weather , and which a man may carry in his hand . But remember it is the Sultan my father asks this favor . '' `` Prince , '' replied the Fairy , smiling , `` I am sorry that so small a matter should disturb you , and make you so uneasy as you appeared to me . '' Then the Fairy sent for her treasurer , to whom , when she came , she said : `` Nourgihan '' -- which was her name -- `` bring me the largest pavilion in my treasury . '' Nourgiham returned presently with the pavilion , which she could not only hold in her hand , but in the palm of her hand when she shut her fingers , and presented it to her mistress , who gave it to Prince Ahmed to look at . 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 XXXXX the army it is to cover . ''
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