It was summer and a wizard was travelling with a caravan across the desert. He was very thirsty. One little girl saw that he was tired and had no water bottle with him. She took out her bottle and offered him a drink.
The wizard was very grateful and blessed her for her kindness. When the caravan reached the city, the wizard looked for the little girl and gave her a wooden chest.
“You are a good and kind girl, my dear,” the wizard said, “One day, this will reward you.”
The girl’s mother didn’t think the chest would fetch any money in the market, so she left it for the little girl to play with. The little girl, whose name was Shaista, used it to keep her some special things: some round shiny pebbles, clips, a few coloured beads and a bracelet made of shells.
Shaista was a very generous girl. She shared her little treasures with other children and sometimes got little gifts in return. But a strange thing was happening in the chest. Gifts would come into it, even when no one gave her anything, a comb made of mother of pearl, a mirror with a silver handle, a gold ring set with a bright red stone.
As Shaista grew up, her chest kept getting bigger. When she wanted a new silk dress, she would find it in the chest. She even found a bandage for a cut finger and food for an old woman who came to her.
Shaista was never greedy. She only took what was necessary for her or for anyone who needed help.
One day, she saw a sick beggar in the street and stopped to give him alms. He saw her taking food and some coins out of the chest for him.
“Lady, do not give me the food or money,” said the beggar, “You can give me the box. I will be able to put my earnings in that.”
Shaista immediately gave the chest to the beggar. There was a clap of thunder and smoke rose around him. From the smoke emerged a young prince.
“I am Prince Ali. The wizard who gave you that box is my father!” said the Prince, “He sent me to look for you because he said you are the kindest person he had ever met. Will you be my wife?”
Shaista took him to her mother who gladly gave her consent. The Prince married her and took her to his kingdom where everyone loved Princess Shaista.
