The Tale of Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Peri-Banu

In the days when the great Sultan Harun al-Rashid ruled from Baghdad, and the Islamic empire stretched from the shores of Spain to the mountains of India, there lived a sultan whose wisdom was matched only by his love for his three sons. Sultan Khusrau Shah was a just ruler who had brought peace and prosperity to his kingdom, but as he grew older, he faced a dilemma that troubled his heart—which of his sons should inherit the throne?

The eldest son, Prince Husain, was known for his diplomatic skills and his ability to maintain harmony between different factions within the kingdom. The middle son, Prince Ali, possessed great military prowess and had distinguished himself in battles against the kingdom’s enemies. The youngest, Prince Ahmed, was renowned for his wisdom and learning, having mastered not only the arts of war and statecraft but also poetry, mathematics, and natural philosophy.

Each son was worthy in his own way, and Sultan Khusrau found himself unable to choose between them. Moreover, he knew that naming one heir over the others could lead to jealousy and discord that might tear the kingdom apart after his death.

One day, as he sat in his private garden contemplating this dilemma, the sultan was visited by his old friend and advisor, the wise Hakim Luqman, whose counsel had guided him through many difficult decisions over the years.

“My friend,” said the sultan, “I am troubled by a decision that weighs heavily on my heart. Each of my sons has virtues that would make him a good king, but I cannot decide which one should inherit the throne. How can I choose without creating enmity between them?”

Hakim Luqman stroked his long white beard thoughtfully. “Perhaps, my lord, the choice need not be yours alone. Why not set them a task that will reveal which one is most fit to rule? Let their own actions demonstrate their worthiness.”

“What manner of task do you suggest?”

“Send them on a quest,” the wise man replied. “Let each seek to bring back the most wondrous and useful object they can find. The one who returns with the greatest marvel—something that would truly benefit the kingdom—will have proven himself worthy of the crown.”

The sultan found this suggestion wise and fair. He summoned his three sons to the throne room and explained the challenge he was setting before them.

“My beloved sons,” he said, “the time has come for me to choose my heir. But rather than make this decision based on my own preferences, I will let your actions speak for themselves. Each of you must travel to distant lands and bring back the most wonderful and beneficial object you can find. You have one year for this quest. When you return, I will judge which discovery is most worthy, and its finder will inherit the throne.”

The three princes accepted this challenge eagerly, each confident that he would succeed. They embraced their father and each other with genuine affection, promising that regardless of the outcome, their brotherhood would remain strong.

Prince Husain decided to travel to the kingdom of Bisnagar in India, having heard tales of the mechanical marvels created by its craftsmen. Prince Ali chose to journey to Persia, where the most skilled carpet weavers in the world were said to create rugs of extraordinary beauty and quality. Prince Ahmed, the youngest, felt drawn to explore the mysterious lands of the East, where ancient wisdom and strange magics were rumored to exist.

The three brothers set out on their separate journeys, each accompanied by a small retinue of loyal servants and guards. They agreed to meet again in exactly one year at a designated caravanserai on the outskirts of their father’s capital.

Prince Ahmed’s journey took him through landscapes of breathtaking beauty and strange wonder. He traveled through valleys where the very air seemed to shimmer with magic, crossed deserts where the sand dunes sang in harmony with the wind, and climbed mountains whose peaks were said to touch the realm of the djinn.

After many months of travel, Ahmed arrived in a city unlike any he had ever seen. The buildings seemed to be carved from single enormous crystals, the streets were paved with what appeared to be solidified starlight, and the very air hummed with an energy that made his skin tingle. This was the City of Wonders, where mortal and immortal realms touched, and where merchants from both worlds came to trade in goods that existed nowhere else.

In the grand bazaar of this magical city, Ahmed wandered in amazement among stalls that sold bottled moonbeams, singing flowers, books that wrote themselves, and mirrors that could show events happening in distant places. But it was at a small, unassuming stall run by an elderly man with eyes like stars that Ahmed found what would change his life forever.

“Welcome, young prince,” the old merchant said, though Ahmed had told no one of his royal status. “I have been expecting you.”

“Expecting me?” Ahmed asked in surprise.

“Indeed. For I have something here that was made specifically for one whose heart is pure and whose intentions are noble.” The merchant reached beneath his counter and brought out an arrow unlike any Ahmed had ever seen. It appeared to be made of crystallized light, and it pulsed with its own inner radiance.

“This,” the merchant explained, “is the Arrow of True Seeking. When fired from any bow, it will always find its mark—not necessarily the target the archer aims for, but the target he most needs to hit. It can pierce any armor, cross any distance, and overcome any obstacle. But most importantly, it will lead the archer to his true destiny.”

Ahmed examined the arrow with wonder. It felt warm in his hands, and he could sense the incredible power contained within it. “What price do you ask for such a marvel?”

The old merchant smiled mysteriously. “For you, young prince, the price is simply a promise—that you will use this arrow only when your heart tells you it is right to do so, and that you will accept whatever destiny it leads you to, whether it brings joy or sorrow.”

Ahmed made this promise readily, sensing that this was indeed the wonder he had been meant to find. He paid the merchant with gold from his father’s treasury and carefully placed the magical arrow in his quiver.

As he prepared to leave the City of Wonders and begin his journey home, Ahmed decided to test the arrow’s power. He found a secluded spot outside the city walls, fitted the arrow to his bow, and drew back the string. But rather than aiming at any particular target, he spoke aloud: “Arrow of True Seeking, show me what I most need to see.”

He released the string, and the arrow flew through the air with incredible speed, leaving a trail of light behind it. Ahmed mounted his horse and followed the arrow’s path, his heart pounding with excitement and anticipation.

The arrow led him through a forest of silver trees whose leaves chimed like bells in the wind, across a meadow where the grass was soft as silk and flowers bloomed in colors that had no names, and finally to the shores of a lake whose waters were so clear they seemed like liquid air.

There, on the far shore of the lake, stood a palace that took Ahmed’s breath away. It appeared to be constructed entirely of precious stones—walls of emerald, towers of sapphire, and domes of ruby that caught the sunlight and threw it back in cascades of rainbow light. And there, on a balcony of the highest tower, he saw a figure that made his heart skip a beat.

She was the most beautiful woman he had ever beheld, but her beauty was not merely physical. There was something luminous about her, an otherworldly grace that marked her as a being not entirely of this world. Her hair flowed like liquid moonlight, her eyes sparkled like captured stars, and when she moved, it was with the fluid grace of water or wind.

As Ahmed stared in wonder, the woman noticed him across the lake. Their eyes met, and in that instant, both felt the spark of recognition that transcends ordinary attraction—the recognition of two souls that have found their perfect complement.

The woman raised her hand in greeting, and to Ahmed’s amazement, her voice carried clearly across the water despite the distance between them.

“Welcome, Prince Ahmed,” she said, her voice like music played on instruments of silver and gold. “I am Peri-Banu, daughter of the King of the Djinn. Your arrow has led you to me, as I knew it would.”

“You knew I was coming?” Ahmed called back, his heart racing with excitement and confusion.

“I have seen you in my dreams for many months,” Peri-Banu replied. “The Fates have woven our destinies together, though the path ahead will not be easy. If you would speak with me properly, you must find a way to cross this lake—but know that once you set foot on this shore, your life will be forever changed.”

Ahmed did not hesitate. He had felt the truth of her words in his very bones—this meeting was indeed his destiny, whatever the consequences might be. But how could he cross such a wide expanse of water?

As if in answer to his question, he noticed that his magical arrow had embedded itself in a small boat that was hidden among the reeds near the shore. The boat was clearly of fairy construction, appearing to be made of polished moonstone and decorated with intricate carvings that seemed to move and shift when viewed from different angles.

Ahmed climbed into the boat, and immediately it began to move across the lake of its own accord, gliding smoothly through the crystal-clear water. As he approached the far shore, he could see Peri-Banu more clearly, and her beauty only increased with proximity. But more than her physical beauty, it was the intelligence and kindness in her eyes that captivated him.

When the boat reached the shore, Peri-Banu was waiting for him. She wore robes that seemed to be woven from solidified light, and a crown of stars adorned her flowing hair.

“Welcome to my realm, Prince Ahmed,” she said, extending her hand to help him from the boat. The moment their hands touched, Ahmed felt a surge of energy that seemed to connect him not just to Peri-Banu but to the entire magical realm around them.

“Your Highness,” Ahmed said, bowing deeply, “I am honored beyond words to meet you. But I confess I am confused by how you knew of my coming and why you say our destinies are linked.”

Peri-Banu smiled, and her smile was like sunrise after the darkest night. “Come,” she said, “let me show you my palace, and I will explain what I can.”

The palace was even more magnificent up close than it had appeared from across the lake. Every surface was covered with intricate carvings that told stories of love and adventure, wisdom and courage. Gardens within the palace grounds contained flowers that sang lullabies, trees that bore fruit of every season simultaneously, and fountains whose waters could heal any ailment or sorrow.

As they walked through these wonders, Peri-Banu explained her situation. “I am the daughter of Shahpal, King of the Djinn of the Eastern Realm. My father rules over vast territories in the world of spirits and magic, and he has many daughters, each gifted with different powers and responsibilities. But I am unique among my sisters because I was born with the ability to see across the boundaries between worlds—to perceive events in the mortal realm and to understand the threads that connect mortal and immortal destinies.”

“Some months ago,” she continued, “I began to have visions of a young mortal prince whose heart was pure and whose intentions were noble. In these visions, I saw that this prince would face great trials and that his success or failure would affect not only his own world but mine as well. As the visions continued, I came to understand that our fates were intertwined, and that only together could we face the challenges that await us.”

Ahmed listened to this explanation with growing wonder and concern. “What challenges do you speak of? And why would our fates be connected when we live in such different worlds?”

Peri-Banu’s expression grew serious. “There is an ancient prophecy among my people that speaks of a time when the barriers between the mortal and immortal worlds will grow thin, and great evil will seek to exploit this weakness. The prophecy says that only the union of mortal courage and immortal wisdom can prevent catastrophe for both realms.”

“But surely there are many mortals with courage and many immortals with wisdom,” Ahmed protested. “Why must it be us specifically?”

“Because,” Peri-Banu replied softly, “the prophecy also speaks of two hearts that will recognize each other across the boundaries of their different natures, and whose love will become the bridge that allows mortal and immortal forces to work together. When I saw you in my visions, I knew that you were the one spoken of in the prophecy, just as I hope that I am the one your heart recognizes as its mate.”

Ahmed felt the truth of her words resonate in his very soul. From the moment he had seen Peri-Banu across the lake, he had known that his life had found its true purpose and direction. Whatever trials lay ahead, he knew he wanted to face them at her side.

“I do recognize you,” he said simply. “From the moment I saw you, I felt as though I had found something I had been searching for all my life without knowing what it was. If you will have me, I would be honored to stand with you against whatever challenges await us.”

Peri-Banu’s face lit up with joy. “Then let us pledge our love and loyalty to each other, for the trials ahead will test both to their very limits.”

They were married in a ceremony that combined the traditions of both their worlds. Representatives from the realm of the djinn attended, as did spirits of the air and water who served Peri-Banu’s father. The ceremony was conducted by an ancient sage who existed partially in both the mortal and immortal realms, and the vows they exchanged bound them not just in marriage but in a mystical partnership that would allow them to share their different strengths and abilities.

For several months, Ahmed lived in Peri-Banu’s palace, learning about the magical realm and developing abilities he had never known he possessed. Under his wife’s tutelage, he learned to see and communicate with various types of spirits, to work simple magics, and to understand the subtle forces that connected all living things.

But as wonderful as this time was, Ahmed knew he could not forget his obligations to his own world. The year his father had given him for his quest was nearly over, and he needed to return to compete for the inheritance of his father’s throne.

“My beloved,” he said to Peri-Banu one evening as they walked in her garden of singing flowers, “I must return to my father’s kingdom soon. The time of my quest is nearly over, and my brothers will be expecting to meet me with the wonders we have found.”

Peri-Banu nodded sadly. “I knew this time would come. But Ahmed, you must understand—if you return to your world, you cannot simply resume your old life. Your marriage to me has changed you in fundamental ways. You now exist partially in both worlds, and there will be those in your realm who will sense this change and view it with suspicion or fear.”

“Then come with me,” Ahmed urged. “Be my wife in both worlds.”

“I cannot appear in your world in my true form without causing great disruption,” Peri-Banu explained. “The presence of a powerful djinn in the mortal realm creates instabilities that can have far-reaching consequences. But I can give you something that will allow you to succeed in your quest and prove your worthiness to inherit your father’s throne.”

She led him to a chamber in the palace that he had never seen before—a room whose walls were lined with objects of incredible power and beauty. From among these treasures, she selected what appeared to be a simple brass lamp, no different from thousands of similar lamps used throughout the Islamic world.

“This,” she said, “is the Lamp of Endless Provision. When rubbed in the proper manner and the correct words spoken, it will provide whatever the owner genuinely needs—food, clothing, shelter, transportation, healing, or protection. It will not grant frivolous wishes or provide things that would be harmful to the owner or others, but it will ensure that all legitimate needs are met.”

Ahmed examined the lamp with wonder. “Such a treasure would indeed be invaluable to my father’s kingdom. In times of famine, it could provide food. In times of plague, it could offer healing. In times of war, it could supply whatever defenses were needed.”

“Exactly,” Peri-Banu agreed. “But remember—the lamp will only work for one whose heart is pure and whose intentions are noble. If it ever falls into the hands of someone who would use it for evil purposes, it will become powerless until it finds a worthy owner again.”

Ahmed accepted this precious gift with gratitude and reverence. But as he prepared to leave, Peri-Banu gave him one final warning.

“My husband,” she said, “you will face great trials in your father’s kingdom. There are those who will not understand your transformation, and there are forces at work that seek to prevent the union of our two worlds that our marriage represents. You must be careful whom you trust, and you must remember that sometimes the greatest dangers come from those who appear to be friends.”

Ahmed promised to heed her warnings, and after a farewell that was both heartbreaking and hopeful—for they knew they would be reunited—he set out on his return journey to his father’s kingdom.

When Ahmed reached the designated meeting place, he found his brothers already waiting for him. Prince Husain had indeed found a marvel in the kingdom of Bisnagar—a magic carpet that could transport its rider anywhere in the world in the blink of an eye. Prince Ali had returned from Persia with an equally remarkable discovery—a crystal tube that could reveal anything the viewer wished to see, no matter how distant or hidden it might be.

“Brother!” Prince Husain called out as Ahmed approached. “We had begun to worry that some misfortune had befallen you. What marvel have you brought from your travels?”

Ahmed showed them the brass lamp, and his brothers were initially disappointed. Compared to a flying carpet and a crystal of far-seeing, a simple lamp seemed unremarkable.

But when Ahmed demonstrated the lamp’s power by providing a magnificent feast for their reunion, his brothers realized that his discovery was perhaps the most valuable of all. A carpet that could transport people quickly was useful, and a crystal that could see distant events was fascinating, but a lamp that could provide for any genuine need would be invaluable to a kingdom and its people.

The three brothers returned to their father’s palace, each confident that his discovery would prove most worthy. Sultan Khusrau examined all three marvels with great interest and consulted with his advisors about their relative merits.

“Each of these discoveries is remarkable,” the sultan announced after several days of deliberation. “The flying carpet would be invaluable for communication and transportation across the kingdom. The crystal of far-seeing would give us great advantages in both war and diplomacy. But the lamp of endless provision would ensure that our people never again suffer from want or need.”

“However,” the sultan continued, “I have noticed something troubling. Prince Ahmed, you have changed greatly during your travels. There is something different about you—a quality that I cannot quite identify but that makes me uneasy. Tell me truthfully—what has happened to you during your quest?”

Ahmed knew that this was the moment Peri-Banu had warned him about. He could lie and claim that his travels had simply matured him, or he could tell the truth and face whatever consequences that might bring.

Remembering his wife’s counsel about the importance of honesty and purity of heart, Ahmed chose to tell his father everything—about his journey to the City of Wonders, his encounter with Peri-Banu, their marriage, and the changes this union had wrought in his nature.

The sultan listened to this account with growing alarm. “My son,” he said when Ahmed had finished, “you have married a djinn? Do you not understand the dangers this poses? Djinn are creatures of fire and air, unpredictable and ultimately alien to human nature. How can I entrust my kingdom to one who has bound himself to such a being?”

“Father,” Ahmed replied respectfully, “I understand your concerns, but I ask you to judge me by my actions rather than by your fears. Has anything I have done since my return suggested that I am any less loyal to you or to our kingdom? Has my behavior been in any way harmful or suspicious?”

Before the sultan could answer, a commotion arose in the courtyard. Messengers arrived with terrible news—a vast army of rebellious djinn, led by a powerful sorcerer who sought to conquer both the mortal and immortal realms, was marching toward the kingdom. This was the very threat that Peri-Banu had prophesied, and conventional military forces would be powerless against it.

“This cannot be coincidence,” declared the sultan’s chief advisor, casting suspicious glances at Ahmed. “These supernatural threats appear just as the prince returns from his marriage to a djinn. Surely this proves that his union with that creature has brought disaster upon us!”

Ahmed felt his heart breaking as he saw doubt and suspicion growing in his father’s eyes. But before he could defend himself, a familiar voice spoke from the shadows of the throne room.

“The disaster was already approaching,” said Peri-Banu, materializing in her human form in a swirl of starlight and perfume. “My husband’s marriage to me did not cause this threat—it provided the only hope of defeating it.”

The assembled court gasped at the sight of the beautiful djinn princess, and several guards moved to protect the sultan. But Peri-Banu raised her hand, and they found themselves unable to move.

“Peace,” she said gently. “I come not as a conqueror but as an ally. The army that approaches is led by my uncle, Jann ibn Jann, who seeks to overthrow my father and rule over both the mortal and immortal realms. He has learned of my marriage to Prince Ahmed and sees it as a threat to his plans, for a union between our worlds could create forces capable of opposing him.”

“Then you admit that your marriage to my son has endangered my kingdom!” the sultan accused.

“No,” Peri-Banu replied firmly. “My marriage to your son provides the only hope of saving both our worlds. Separately, neither mortal armies nor loyal djinn can defeat Jann ibn Jann—he has gathered too much power and has allies among the dark spirits of both realms. But together, combining mortal courage and determination with immortal magic and wisdom, we can create a force that even he cannot overcome.”

Sultan Khusrau looked between his son and the djinn princess, clearly torn between fear and hope. “And if I refuse to allow this alliance? If I command my son to renounce his marriage and banish you from my kingdom?”

Peri-Banu’s expression grew sad but determined. “Then both our worlds will fall to darkness, and countless innocent beings will suffer and die. But I will not force your cooperation—it must be freely given, or it will have no power.”

At that moment, a tremendous roar echoed across the sky, and through the palace windows, they could see a dark cloud approaching—but it was not a natural cloud. It writhed and twisted with unnatural life, and within it could be glimpsed the forms of hostile djinn, demons, and creatures of shadow.

“The enemy approaches,” Peri-Banu announced. “You must decide now—will you trust in the union of our worlds, or will you face this threat alone?”

Ahmed stepped forward and knelt before his father. “Father, I swear to you by everything I hold sacred that my love for Peri-Banu has not diminished my loyalty to you or to our people. If anything, it has shown me how much beauty and goodness exist in both worlds, and how important it is to protect them. I beg you—give us the chance to prove that love can triumph over hatred, that unity can overcome division.”

Sultan Khusrau looked into his son’s eyes and saw there the same honesty and nobility that had always marked Ahmed’s character. Despite his fears, he could not doubt his son’s sincerity.

“Very well,” he said finally. “I place my trust in you both. May Allah guide and protect us all in the battle to come.”

What followed was a battle unlike any in mortal history. Ahmed and Peri-Banu fought side by side, their combined powers creating effects that neither could have achieved alone. Ahmed’s mortal courage and determination, enhanced by his partial transformation through marriage to Peri-Banu, allowed him to stand against supernatural enemies that would have destroyed any ordinary human. Peri-Banu’s immortal wisdom and magical abilities, grounded and focused by her love for Ahmed and his world, proved more powerful than they had ever been before.

The Lamp of Endless Provision played a crucial role in the battle, providing not just material support for the defending forces but also spiritual protection against the dark magic of their enemies. As the battle raged across both physical and mystical planes, the lamp’s power to provide whatever was genuinely needed proved to include courage for the fearful, hope for the despairing, and strength for the weary.

The climax of the battle came when Ahmed faced Jann ibn Jann in single combat while Peri-Banu dueled with the sorcerer’s most powerful lieutenant. In this final confrontation, the true power of their union was revealed—they could share their strengths across any distance, each drawing on the other’s abilities and determination.

When the evil djinn army was finally defeated and Jann ibn Jann was banished to the deepest regions of the underworld, a great celebration took place that was attended by beings from both the mortal and immortal realms. Sultan Khusrau, having seen the power and goodness that came from the union of the two worlds, formally blessed his son’s marriage and welcomed Peri-Banu as his daughter.

But the greatest reward came when Peri-Banu’s father, King Shahpal, arrived to thank Ahmed for his role in defending both realms. The King of the Djinn had a special gift for the couple—a palace that existed in both worlds simultaneously, allowing them to live together while serving as ambassadors and protectors for both realms.

As for the succession to Sultan Khusrau’s throne, the question resolved itself in an unexpected way. Ahmed’s brothers, having witnessed the incredible events of the battle and the wisdom their younger brother had shown, agreed that he was clearly the most suited to rule. Moreover, they understood that with Peri-Banu as his queen and ally, Ahmed would be able to protect and guide the kingdom in ways that no ordinary mortal could.

Prince Husain became Ahmed’s chief diplomat, using his flying carpet to maintain communications with distant kingdoms and to negotiate treaties that would protect the realm from future threats. Prince Ali became the kingdom’s military commander, using his crystal of far-seeing to anticipate and prepare for any dangers that might arise.

Thus the three brothers, rather than being divided by competition for the throne, were united in service to their kingdom and their people. Their different talents complemented each other perfectly, creating a government that was wise, just, and powerful.

Ahmed and Peri-Banu ruled long and well, their love serving as a bridge between two worlds and as an inspiration to all who knew their story. They faced many challenges over the years—there were always those who distrusted the union of mortal and immortal, and there were supernatural threats that required their combined powers to defeat.

But through all these trials, their love only grew stronger, proving that when two hearts are truly united, no force in any world can separate them. Their children, who inherited qualities from both realms, became leaders and protectors in their own right, ensuring that the alliance between the worlds would continue for generations to come.

And the Lamp of Endless Provision continued to serve the kingdom faithfully, providing not just for material needs but serving as a reminder that when hearts are pure and intentions are noble, the universe itself will provide what is needed to achieve good and noble goals.

Thus ends the tale of Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Peri-Banu, a story that teaches us that love knows no boundaries, that different worlds can unite when joined by understanding and goodness, and that the greatest adventures often begin with the courage to follow our hearts into the unknown, trusting that love will light the way through any darkness we may encounter.