Great prince of the genii, you must know that we are three brothers—these two black dogs and myself. Our father died, leaving us each a thousand sequins. With this sum, we all three became merchants.
After opening our shops, my eldest brother (one of these dogs) resolved to travel for trade. He sold all he had, bought goods, and was away a year. He returned as a beggar. I recognized him, brought him home, and cared for him. I had doubled my capital to two thousand sequins, so I gave him half, and we lived together.
Later, my second brother also wished to travel. Despite our dissuasion, he joined a caravan. He returned a year later in the same wretched state. I gave him a thousand sequins from my savings, and he reopened his shop.
Years later, my brothers proposed we journey together to trade. I refused at first, asking, "You traveled; what did you gain?" They persisted for five years until I relented. However, when preparing, they had spent the money I had given them. Without reproach, I divided my six thousand sequins: I gave each brother a thousand, kept one for myself, and buried three thousand at home.
We bought goods, loaded a vessel, and set sail. After two months, we reached a seaport, traded successfully, and were about to depart when a beautiful, poorly dressed woman approached me on the shore. She implored me to marry her and take her aboard. After much begging and promising to be a good wife, I consented. I bought her fine dresses, we married, and embarked.
During the voyage, I discovered my wife's many good qualities and grew to love her deeply. My brothers, jealous of my prosperity, plotted against my life. One night, they threw my wife and me into the sea. My wife, however, was a fairy. She saved me from drowning and transported us to an island.
At dawn, she revealed, "When I saw you on the shore, I took a fancy to you and wished to test your nature, so I disguised myself. I have rewarded you by saving your life. But I am furious with your brothers and will not rest until I take their lives."
I thanked her but begged her to spare my brothers. I appeased her wrath, and she instantly transported me to the roof of my house before vanishing. I went down, opened the doors, and retrieved the three thousand sequins I had buried. I reopened my shop and received congratulations from fellow merchants on my return.
At home, two black dogs with sorrowful faces came to meet me. I was astonished, but the fairy reappeared and said, "Do not be surprised; they are your two brothers. I have condemned them to remain in these shapes for ten years." She then told me where I could hear news of her and vanished.
The ten years are nearly passed, and I am on the road to find her. While traveling, I met this merchant and the old man with the hind, so I stayed with them.
This is my history, O prince of genii! Do you not think it a most marvelous one?
"Yes, indeed," replied the genius, "and I will give up to you the third of this merchant's punishment."