That night, the fisherman returned to the lake, cast his nets, and drew in four more fish, each of a different color. He promptly delivered them to the Grand Vizier as promised.
The Vizier took the fish to the kitchen and, with the cook, began to prepare them as before. Just as she was about to turn them over, the wall opened. The same maiden appeared, spoke the same words to the fish, received the same reply, then overturned the pan and vanished.
Filled with astonishment, the Grand Vizier reported the event to the Sultan. The Sultan, equally astounded, wished to witness the marvel himself. He summoned the fisherman and ordered him to procure four more fish. Granted three days, the fisherman succeeded and was rewarded with four hundred gold pieces.
The Sultan had the fish brought to his chamber with cooking utensils. He and the Grand Vizier shut themselves in to cook the fish. When they turned the fish over, the wall opened. This time, a gigantic black slave emerged carrying a large green stick. In a terrible voice, he touched the fish and demanded, "Fish, fish, are you doing your duty?"
The fish lifted their heads and replied, "Yes, yes. If you reckon, we reckon. If you pay your debts, we pay ours. If you fly, we conquer, and are content." The slave then overturned the pan, turning the fish to cinders, and stepped back into the wall, which closed behind him.
"I cannot rest after seeing this," declared the Sultan. "These fish signify a mystery I must solve." He questioned the fisherman about the fish's origin. "Sire," the fisherman answered, "from a lake amidst four hills beyond those mountains."
Neither the Sultan nor the Vizier knew of this lake. As it was only three hours' journey, the Sultan ordered his entire court to ride there, led by the fisherman. They crossed the mountain and found the clear lake, teeming with the four colored fish. The Sultan camped by the shore.
That night, the Sultan resolved to investigate alone. He instructed his Vizier to cover his absence, then set forth in disguise. At sunrise, he beheld a magnificent palace of polished black marble. He entered the half-open gate and passed through lavish, empty halls adorned with silk carpets, Meccan tapestries, and golden hangings. A splendid fountain with golden lions spewed diamonds and pearls, and the palace was surrounded by exquisite gardens.
Still seeing no one, the Sultan finally heard a plaintive cry: "Oh that I could die, for I am too unhappy to live!" He found a handsome, richly dressed young man sitting on a raised throne, his face filled with sorrow.
The Sultan approached and bowed. The young man bent his head low but did not rise. "Sire," he said, "I cannot rise to show the reverence your rank deserves."
"Sir," replied the Sultan, "I am sure you have good reason. Hearing your distress, I have come to offer help. Whose palace is this, and why is it empty?"
Instead of answering, the young man lifted his robe, revealing that from the waist down, his body was a block of black marble.
Horrified, the Sultan begged to hear his story. "Willingly," said the young man, "I will tell you my sad history."