Arabian Nights: 258th Night: Jullanar of the Sea - 29

The following night Shahrazad said:

Badr suddenly saw an old man, a favabean seller sitting in his shop. He greeted him, and the old man returned the greeting.  Seeing his handsome face the old man asked, "Young man, where do you come from and who brought you to this city?"

King Badr told him the whole story, and the old man was very much surprised, and asked him, "My son, did you see anyone on the way?" 

King Badr replied, "No father, I did not.  Indeed I was amazed to see the the city without inhabitants."

The old man said, "Son, come up into the shop, lest you perish." King Badr went up into the shop and sat at the upper end, and the old man rose and brought him some food.  The old man said, "Stay inside and eat. Glory to him, who saved you from the she-devil." 

King Badr was frightened, but he ate his fill and washed his hands.  Then he turned to the old man and asked, "My lord, what is the meaning of your words?  You have made me afraid of this city and its people."  The old man replied, "Son, you should know that this city is called city of magicians. Its queen is an enchantress who is as the moon. All animals you saw early were men like you and me, but are now enchanted, for whenever a young man like you enters the city, that blasphemous witch seized him and enjoys him for forty days, and... "

But morning overtook and Shahrazad lapsed into silence.

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