One day a horse merchant came to the court of the King of Persia. Holding a mechanical
Horse by its bridle, he knelt before the King's throne. "Your Majesty!" he said "I would like to present
you with a marvel that I have created after many years work. This Horse can carry the rider to the
other side of the world with the press of a button." The Prince , without inserting his feet in the
stirrups, leapt onto the saddle. The merchant had not finished his trial. The young Prince had already
pressed the button. In moment, the Horse disappeared into the air. "Wretch!" the King of Persia cried
out, "you never explained to my son how to return. If the Prince does not come back within three days,
I'll have your head cut off. Guards! throw him in prison." Meanwhile, the young Prince was flying over
plains, mountains, towns and villages. He finally reached a magnificent palace. He saw a beautiful
young girl through one of its windows. She was fast asleep. The Prince was amazed at her beauty
and held his breath. A light breeze woke the young girl up. "Who are you?" she whispered. "I am Firouz,
the son of the King of Persia." "Tell me who are you," the Prince inquired. " I am Moon Flower, the
daughter of the King of Bengal." "Take the Prince to the suite. He must be tired " Moon Flower said to
her maids. The Prince was unable to sleep. He was mesmerized by her beauty. He told her about
his adventure the next morning. He explained, " I wish to return to my father's kingdom. I wish you to
accompany me as my wife." Moon Flower accepted and, without telling anybody, the young pair
mounted the mechanical Horse. When the King of Persia saw his son with Moon Flower, he was beside
himself with joy.
The merchant was released from the prison. He swore to avenge on the king for the
insult. He sat
Moon Flower on his mechanical Horse and disappeared into the sky with her.
Discovering what
had happened, the Prince vowed to fetch his princess again immediately set out.
Meanwhile, the
merchant and the princess arrived in the kingdom of Kashmir. They landed in a
thick forest.
Moon Flower started sobbing in despair. Fortunately, he met the King of Kashmir
who killed the
merchant there and then.
Moon Flower thanked the King of Kashmir and asked him to have the
mechanical Horse taken
to her palace. The King of Kashmir, enchanted by her beauty, wanted to
marry her. However,
Moon Flower flatly refused. She pretended to have lost her memory. She
howled and stamped
her foot when the King of Kashmir visited her. He was taken aback by her
sudden behaviour.
The King of Kashmir summoned the most learned herbal physicians to
diagnose her.
None of the doctors could cure Moon Flower. Meanwhile, the Prince
travelling in disguise,
arrived in the capital of Kashmir. The people at home spoke of the madness
of the unfortunate princess.
The Prince met the King of Kashmir and assured him that he would cure
the princess.
"Please leave us alone," the disguised Prince said to the King of Kashmir.
The Prince pulled
off his false beard. The couple fell into each other's arms. The Prince lit
the Fire across the
main square on the following day. He uttered some magic words. A huge
Cloud of smoke
enveloped the sky. The King of Kashmir saw the astonishment the mechanical Horse
rising above the smoke. It took the Prince and Moon Flower to freedom
and happiness for ever.
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