` Very well , then , take the silks to him , with the blessing of an old man , ' said Wali Dad , much relieved to be rid of them . So , the next time that the merchant journeyed that way he carried the silks with him , and in due course arrived at Nekabad , and sought an audience of the prince . When he was shown into his presence he produced the beautiful gift of silks that Wali Dad had sent , and begged the young man to accept them as a humble tribute to his worth and greatness . The prince was much touched by the generosity of the giver , and ordered , as a return present , twelve of the finest breed of horses for which his country was famous to be delivered over to the merchant , to whom also , before he took his leave , he gave a munificent reward for his services . As before , the merchant at last arrived at home ; and next day , he set out for Wali Dad 's house with the twelve horses . When the old man saw them coming in the distance he said to himself : ` Here 's luck ! a troop of horses coming ! They are sure to want quantities of grass , and I shall sell all I have without having to drag it to market . ' Thereupon he rushed off and cut grass as fast he could . When he got back , with as much grass as he could possibly carry , he was greatly discomfited to find that the horses were all for himself . At first he could not think what to do with them , but , after a little , a brilliant idea struck him ! He gave two to the merchant , and begged him to take the rest to the princess of Khaistan , who was clearly the fittest person to possess such beautiful animals . The merchant departed , laughing . But , true to his old friend 's request , he took the horses with him on his next journey , and eventually presented them safely to the princess . This time the princess sent for the merchant , and questioned him about the giver . Now , the merchant was usually a most honest man , but he did not quite like to describe Wali Dad in his true light as an old man whose income was five halfpence a day , and who had hardly clothes to cover him . So he told her that his friend had heard stories of her beauty and goodness , and had longed to lay the best he had at her feet . The princess then took her father into her confidence , and begged him to advise her what courtesy she might return to one who persisted in making her such presents . ` Well , ' said the king , ` you can not refuse them ; so the best thing you can do is to send this unknown friend at once a present so magnificent that he is not likely to be able to send you anything better , and so will be ashamed to send anything at all ! ' Then he ordered that , in place of each of the ten horses , two mules laden with silver should be returned by her .
Thus , in a few hours , the merchant found himself in charge of a splendid caravan ; and he had to hire a number of armed men to defend it on the road against the robbers , and he was glad indeed to XXXXX himself back again in Wali Dad 's hut .
advise coming cover find returned said saw sell send took