A humble porter lived in Baghdad. He sat every morning in the market with his large basket, ready to be hired for work. One day, a veiled lady asked him to follow her to the shops. She bought many things: a jar of wine, meats, breads, fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices and perfumes. Carrying the heavy load, they came to a mansion and the door was opened by a very beautiful woman. Inside, in a large courtyard, lavishly furnished, sat a woman on a throne even more beautiful than the other two! They were three sisters: Zubeida on the throne, Sadia who opened the door and Amina who bought everything. They gave a lot of money to the porter and asked to stay and rest and eat. So, he was given a splendid meal and allowed to rest. They only insisted that he might talk and sing but he mustn’t ask questions!
Visitors to the Mansion
That night as the porter sat enjoying the hospitality of the ladies, three strangers who were wandering dervishes arrived in the city. They heard the music and asked for shelter for the night there. The kind ladies allowed them to stay there and gave them a meal. While they ate, there was a knock at the door. Caliph Harun-al-Rashid used to walk through the city with his Vazir and an attendant, all disguised as ordinary citizens. Hearing the beautiful music from the mansion, he knocked at the door. “We are merchants who have just arrived,” said the Vazir, “and we have no place to stay. May we spend some time resting here?” They, too, were treated with courtesy and hospitality. There was only one condition: no one must ask any questions. The dervishes told the stories of their adventures and then, in the morning, all the guests departed, still wondering about the mansion.
