The Sultana told a story, and the Sultan let her live to finish it.

When the merchant saw that the genius was determined to cut off his head,
he said: "One word more, I entreat you. Grant me a little delay;
just a short time to go home and bid my wife and children farewell,
and to make my will. When I have done this I will come back here,
and you shall kill me."

"But," said the genius, "if I grant you the delay you ask, I am
afraid that you will not come back."

"I give you my word of honour," answered the merchant, "that I
will come back without fail."

"How long do you require?" asked the genius.

"I ask you for a year's grace," replied the merchant. "I promise
you that to-morrow twelvemonth, I shall be waiting under these trees
to give myself up to you."

On this the genius left him near the fountain and disappeared.

The merchant, having recovered from his fright, mounted his horse
and went on his road.

When he arrived home his wife and children received him with the
greatest joy. But instead of embracing them he began to weep so
bitterly that they soon guessed that something terrible was the matter.

"Tell us, I pray you," said his wife, "what has happened."