There was onceof old timea great and puissant Kingof the Kings of the PersiansSabour by namewho was the richest of all the Kings in store of wealth and dominion and surpassed them all in wit and wisdom. Generousopen-handed and beneficenthe gave to those who sought and repelled not those who resorted to himcomforted the broken-hearted and honourably entreated those who fled to him for refuge. Moreoverhe loved the poor and was hospitable to strangers and did the oppressed justice upon those who oppressed them. He had three daughterslike shining full moons or flowered gardensand a son as he were the moon；and it was his wont to keep two festivals in the yearthose of the New Year and the Autumnal Equinoxon which occasions he threw open his palaces and gave gifts and made proclamation of safety and security and advanced his chamberlains and officers；and the people of his realm came in to him and saluted him and gave him joy of the festivalbringing him gifts and servants.
Now he loved science and geometryand one dayas he sat on his throne of kingshipduring one of these festivalsthere came in to him three sagescunning artificers and past masters in all manner of crafts and inventionsskilled in making raritiessuch as confound the witand versed in the knowledge of [occult] truths and subtleties；and they were of three different tongues and countriesthe first an Indianthe second a Greek and the third a Persian. The Indian came forward and prostrating himself before the Kinggave him joy of the festival and laid before him a present befitting [his dignity]；that is to saya figure of goldset with precious stones and jewels of price and holding in its hand a golden trumpet. When Sabour saw thishe said'O sagewhat is the virtue of this figure？'And the Indian answered'O my lord；if this figure be set at the gate of thy cityit will be a guardian over it；forif an enemy enter the placeit will blow this trumpet against himand so he will be known and laid hands on.'The King marvelled at this and said'By AllahO sagean this thy word be trueI will grant thee thy wish and thy desire.'