"
They at once spread their wings and soared away toward Medina, but not
being accustomed to such long flights, they soon became fatigued and
descended to a ruin which stood in a valley below. The two enchanted
birds decided to remain there for the night; then wandered through
the deserted rooms and corridors, which gave of evidence of former
splendor. Suddenly the Vizier stopped and remarked that if it were not
ridiculous for a stork to be afraid of ghosts, he would feel decidedly
nervous. The Caliph listened, and heard a low moaning and sobbing,
which seemed to come from a room down the passage. He started to rush
toward it, but the Vizier held him fast by a wing. He had retained the
brave heart that he had possessed when a Caliph, however, and freeing
himself from the Vizier's bill, he hurried to the room whence came the
pitiful sounds. The moon shone through a barred window and showed him
a screech owl sitting on the floor of the ruined chamber, lamenting in
a hoarse voice. The Vizier had cautiously stolen up beside the Caliph;
and at sight of the two storks, the screech owl uttered a cry of
pleasure. To their astonishment it addressed them in Arabic, in the
following words:
"I have abandoned myself to despair, but I believe my deliverance is
near, for it was prophesied in my youth that a stork would bring me
good fortune.
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