A rich and prosperous Sultan lived in the city of Baghdad. He had three sons; Akbar, Ali and Ahamed.
As he boys grew up the sultan wished to get them married. However, a grave problem arose. It so happened that all three sons wanted to marry the same girl. She was a beautiful princess named Lila.
The sultan was in a quandary. He loved all his three sons equally. `How can I decide which one is to marry the princess?’ he thought.
After many restless days and sleepless nights he went to Princess Lila. `Princess, all my sons wish to marry you. Who would you like to marry?’ he asked.
`I do not know,’ sighed the princess. ` I like all three of them. Let me see, I will marry the prince who loves me the most.’
Suddenly an idea crossed the sultan’s mind. He called his sons and said, `I have here five hundred gold pieces for each of you. I want each of you to spend the next year traveling. Spend your time wisely. The one who returns with the best gift for Princess Lila will marry her.’
The three princesses were very happy.
The set off together on their journey, they stayed together until they reached a point where the road branched off into three different directions. Here the brothers parted ways. They agreed to meet at the same spot exactly after a year.
Akbar’s road took him to the city of Bisnagar. He wandered around taking in the sights. He saw many beautiful things. None were good enough for the princess. After a brief rest he walked further and found himself in the market where carpets were sold.
`Come buy a carpet.’
`I have beautiful carpets in my shop.’
`Carpets!’ the most intricate carpets in the world.’
These shouts assaulted his ears as he walked.
`I have a magic carpet,’
Hearing this, prince Akbar stopped.
`Where is your magic carpet?’ he asked. `May I see it?’ the market shopkeeper showed him a dirty looking carpet. `This carpet is very shabby,’ said Akbar. `It is not fit for a princess.’
`This is a magic carpet. There is none like it’, cajoled the carpet maker. `Come, try it. When you sit on it, it will transport you wherever you wish to go’.
Akbar was wary. `can we travel somewhere,’ asked, `before I decide to buy it.’
The carpet maker and Akbar got onto the carpet. `Where would like to go?’ asked the carpet maker.
`To Cairo,’ said Akbar.
`Take us to Cairo, magic carpet,’ said the carpet maker bending down towards the carpet.
The carpet rose into the air and then whooshed to Cairo in no time. Prince Akbar was impressed.
`Do you believe me now?’ asked the carpet-maker.
The carpet brought them back to Bisnagar. Akbar gladly paid six hundred gold coins to the man for this truly magical carpet. He was very pleased with himself. His brothers would never be able to find anything half as good, he thought smugly.