On the next audience day, when Aladdin's mother went to the divan, and
placed herself in front of the sultan as usual, the grand vizier
immediately called the chief of the mace-bearers, and pointing to her
bade him bring her before the sultan. The old woman at once followed
the mace-bearer, and when she reached the sultan, bowed her head down
to the carpet which covered the platform of the throne, and remained
in that posture until he bade her rise.
She had no sooner done so, than he said to her, "Good woman, I have
observed you to stand many days from the beginning to the rising of
the divan. What business brings you here?"
At these words, Aladdin's mother prostrated herself a second time, and
when she arose, said, "Monarch of monarchs, I beg of you to pardon the
boldness of my petition, and to assure me of your pardon and
forgiveness."
"Well," replied the sultan, "I will forgive you, be it what it may,
and no hurt shall come to you. Speak boldly."
When Aladdin's mother had taken all these precautions, for fear of the
sultan's anger, she told him faithfully the errand on which her son
had sent her, and the event which led to his making so bold a request
in spite of all her remonstrances.
The sultan hearkened to this discourse without showing the least
anger. But before he gave her any answer, he asked her what she had
brought tied up in the napkin. She took the china dish which she had
set down at the foot of the throne, untied it, and presented it to the
sultan.
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