Once upon a time, a man named Yunus wished to marry. He had seen a pretty girl at his neighbor's window and inquired about her.
"Brother," Yunus said, "would you accept me as a son-in-law? I believe your daughter would suit me."
"I have one daughter who should marry," the neighbor replied. "But there is a snag. She has such a bad temper that I hesitate to inflict her on anyone, especially a good friend like you. To marry, she must first be cured by three drops of water from the Well of Sweetness—a nearly impossible task."
"Let me go," said Yunus. "Where is this well?"
"An old woman begging at the mosque steps knows," said the neighbor. "But do not trouble yourself!"
Yunus cheerfully set off. He bought a tiny bottle and found the old woman. After receiving a coin, she directed him: "Travel west seven days, then east seven days to a river. Cross it to the land of a Giant. He will guide you."
Yunus journeyed on, crossed the river with a ferryman's help, and was warned to be polite to the Giant. After a weary walk, he fell asleep at the mountain's foot and awoke in the Giant's palm.
"Who are you?" boomed the Giant.
"Peace be upon you, noble Giant," Yunus said politely. "I seek the Well of Sweetness to cure my intended bride's temper."
"Your courtesy saves you," said the Giant. "Inside my cave, a secret passage is guarded by a three-headed dragon. Say, 'By leave of Suliman, Son of David (upon whom be peace!), let me pass!' and it will allow you through."
Yunus entered the cave. Confronting the fire-breathing dragon, he uttered the magical phrase and passed unharmed. After a long walk, a shaft of light revealed a beautiful fairy drawing water from a deep well.
"Peace be upon you," said Yunus.
"Peace to you, mortal," she replied sweetly, filling his bottle. Overjoyed, Yunus kissed her hand in gratitude, and she vanished.
The return journey was arduous, but the magical phrase safely saw him past the dragon again. He showed the water to the Giant.
"You have succeeded," said the Giant. "Now you must serve me for a year and a day."
Yunus worked diligently, tending goats, cooking, and doing chores. Pleased, the Giant rewarded him with a bag of gold and sent him home with goodwill.
His neighbor was overjoyed at his return. Yunus recounted his adventures and handed over the precious bottle. He dressed in his finest clothes, and the wedding ceremony proceeded. The bride appeared, veiled and jewelled, and a feast was held.
That night, Yunus removed his wife's veil. She was beautiful, and her voice was as soft as a dove's coo.
"Allah be praised!" exclaimed Yunus. "Without the water from the Well of Sweetness, I would not be so happy to hear your gentle voice tonight."
"What do you mean, husband?" she asked. "My voice has always been like this."
"But your father said you had a terrible temper, cured only by this water," said Yunus.
The bride laughed. "It was not I," she explained, "but my mother! My father was tormented by her rages. A wise man said three drops of the magical water on her tongue would change her. So, Father decided that any suitor must fetch the water, curing Mother and saving Father from an early grave."
Yunus laughed too, grateful for a good-tempered mother-in-law. He and his wife lived happily together, never exchanging a cross word.