Almidor, was king of a certain part of the Indies, he had a wife who was

possessed of every charm and grace and virtue which was ever seen in
woman before or since her time. After they had been sometime married, a
little son was born to them, but as if the happiness of the king was too great
for a mortal, very soon after the birth of his son his wife died.

The poor king could not be comforted. He shut himself up day and night with
his little boy and wept for the loss of his wife. Never had there been such a
woman, never was such grief known as that of the king.

Some years passed in this manner, the little prince arrived at the age of six
years. He was named Perinet, and the king educated him with the greatest
care and tenderness. One day when they were walking on the sea-shore in a
delicious garden, watered by numerous refreshing streams, they suddenly
saw rise on the surface of the sea (though it was calm every where else, and
there was not the least breath of wind) they saw, I say, fire floating with
incredible swiftness on the waves, and the fiery spot increased so fast, that
when it stopped near the shore, it seem a burning mountain.

This prodigy was regarded with astonishment mingled with admiration, but
greater was the surprise of the beholders, when they saw issue from the
midst of these flames, a little boat drawn by two swans whiter than snow, in
which was seated a lady of dazzling beauty. When the boat was within the
sound of a voice, this beautiful person addressed the king and said to him, " I
am the fairy Manipe, I have always taken an interest in the princes of your
family, a misfortune threatens you, you can however prevent it, you must be
separated from your son ; before he has attained his fifteenth year he will be
taken from you in your own do- minions. Take in this matter the part that
prudence shall dictate to you." She disappeared in a moment and left all the
court in as great sorrow as if the prediction had already taken effect.

Almidor retired overcome with sadness, and thought of nothing hut seeking
some method of averting such a misfortune. He at last concluded that his
sister, who was queen of the Fairies, was alone able to secure him from it,
and without further deliberation he carried his dear Perinet to the palace of
that princess. She received both with all the tenderness and friendship
possible, and when the king had informed her of the reasons which obliged
him to place such a precious deposit in her hands. " I accept," said she, " with

all my heart the trust you place in me, I will do overy thing in my power for
my dear nephew, and I promise you, while he is in my kingdom nothing shall
happen to him which can cost you the least pain. Almidor, encouraged by the
kindness of his sister, returned quite satisfied.

The queen of the Fairies was now wholly occupied with procuring for her
nephew amusements suitable to his age. She had no children and she soon
loved him as if he had been her own son. But while she exhausted the
resources of her art to make the days of the young prince pass pleasantly,
she was still more attentive to give him an education worthy of his birth.
Skillful masters were con- stantly employed to teach him music and dancing,
and all those exercises which form the mind and body in a word she taught
him all that a king ought to know.

Perinet was particularly fond of the amusement of hunting, but he also was
happy on his return from the chase to find pleasant society ready to meet
him. The queen had in her court some of the most beautiful young ladies in
the world, among them was a young relative of her own, named Ticie, whom
she thought Perinet might fancy, but for some reason, which historians have
not put down in their books, Perinet did not take much pleasure in the society
of this young lady. She was so much vexed at his coldness, that she
determined since she could not make him love her, she would punish him for
what she thought a crime.

She had a friend named Nortandose, prince of the Blue islands, who was one
of the greatest magicians of his time. Ticie paid him a visit, and after she had
told him that Prince Perinet treated her with scorn he promised to help her to
revenge herself on him.

It was necessary in the first place to induce the prince to go out of the fairy's
kingdom, because he could suffer no injury while in her domin- ions and he
was guarded with great attention. Nortandose however thought he could
overcome all difficulties. The prince often went hunting, and one day when he
was pursuing a hare, an animal more singular and terrible than can be
described presented itself before him. It was large as a wild boar, it had three
heads as large as that of an ox, six serpents who made a dreadful hissing,
enough to frighten the most resolute, formed his six tails. This dreadful beast
fell upon the dogs, and devoured them all in a moment. A mortal terror seized

all the people who were about the prince and they abandoned him. But he,
consulting only his own courage, boldly approached the monster, and shot a
javelin at him with a sure hand. The mon- ster, though invulnerable,
immediately took flight. Perinet did not lose sight of him, but pursued him,
delighted at having found an occasion worthy of his valor.

The dreadful animal would undoubtedly have led him out of the kingdom of
his aunt into the place where the enchanter was awaiting him, but another
wonder attracted his attention just as he reached the borders. He perceived
near a castle in a cinnamon grove several ladies walking. There was one to
whom the others appeared to pay the greatest respect, it was she who fixed
his attention, and whose extreme beauty inspired him with the most profound
admiration. He approached this agreeable group. The princess Zainzinette
(for it was her on whom his attention had been fixed) looked at the prince
with the greatest astonishment. They conversed together and were mutually
pleased, and before they separated they agreed to meet again the next day
at the same spot.

They met several times and were very happy in each other's society. But on
returning one day from visiting the young lady, the queen of Fairies came to
announce to him that his father Almidor was dangerously ill, and that he
wished to have the consolation of embracing his son before his death. The
prince, in great affliction, wished to set off im- mediately. The fairy gave him a
liquor, the effect of which was so wonderful that Almidor had no sooner made
use of it, than his health was surpris- ingly restored. The joy of seeing his son
contributed not a little to his recovery.

He was on the point of sending back this dear son, that he might escape the
misfortune with which he had been threatened but it was so little time before
he would complete his fifteenth year that he could not resolve to part with
him. He thought it would be sufficient to watch him with the greatest care. At
last the birth-day of the prince came, and the king delighted to see the end of
the troubles which had been predicted, was desirous to celebrate such a
happy event. He- gave the most brilliant fete upon the sea which was ever
known.

The amusements had not finished when Prince Perinet under pretence of
fishing, but in fact, to gain a moment of solitude in which he might think at

liberty upon his dear Zainzinette, stepped by him- self into a little boat. He
had already caught several fish, without paying much attention to what he
was doing, when he perceived one of an extra- ordinary form. Its scales were
blue and gold, and its eyes resembled two carbuncles. This fish came and
played about the hook but did not bite at it, the prince would have given
every thing in the world to obtain it. He would have delighted greatly to
present it to Zainzinette. He already re- solved to send a special messenger
to bear it to her. But the beautiful fish went away as fast as he ap- proached
him, and carried him so far from the shore that he lost sight of all his people,
who were themselves busily enjoying the sports of the occa- sion. He then
felt his boat sinking. It was necessary to be as courageous as Prince Perinet
not to be alarmed at this accident, but he never knew fear. He began to swim,
resolved to gain the shore. But what was his surprise when he saw a man of a
horrible form approaching him mounted on a great toad. This terrible man
seized him, and placed him before him, on the saddle, without speaking a
single word, and immediately the toad began to swim with great swiftness. In
a few moments they arrived at an island, which seemed inhabited only by
terrible beasts. The guard of it was intrusted to two lions, two bears, two
elephants and four tigers. The master of the toad after having muttered a few
words between his teeth, put his hand on the head of the prince, who at the
same moment was changed into a tea-pot. It may easily be conceived that
this villainous large gentleman was the prince of the Blue island, who to
please Ticie, and trouble the prince, had just given this form to Perinet.

The melancholy tea-pot was immediately left on the island by Nortandose,

who flew off to Ticie to inform her of what he had been doing. He advanced
some steps without meeting any thing, but entering a little grove he met on
his way, he heard voices which convinced him that the place was inhabited.
Society is a comfort when one is in trouble. The prince went on his way, in
hope of meeting a friend, but nothing could equal his sur- prise when he
perceived porcelain jars, cups and saucers, pitchers and bowls talking
together. As he was advancing to hear what such personages could have to
say, he was perceived by all the porcelains who came forward to receive him.
They inquired of the tea-pot what had reduced him to this condition, and he
told them he had been seized at sea by a great ugly man mounted on a toad,
who had taken him with him and metamorphosed him in the manner they
saw, as soon as they reached the island. When he had described his
persecutor, a sugar bowl spoke and informed him that his enemy was
Nortandose, a genius of the largest power, who was passionately fond of
china ware and who transformed into it every one who had the misfortune to
displease him.

Meantime Almidor not finding his son return from fishing felt all the
uneasiness and distress possible, and all the court shared in his grief. The
good king sent every body out on the search, and he himself ran first one
way and then another, but all his care was in vain and he had recourse to his
sis- ter. Though she had undoubtedly great power, it did not extend to
delivering the prince from his present condition. She promised him however
to help him all she could. She immediately transport- ed herself to the Blue
island, or rather to the Porce- lain island (it bore both names.)
Notwithstanding her great knowledge she would never have recog- nized the
unfortunate Perinet if the beautiful yellow tea-pot had not said in a low tone
to her " I am your unfortunate nephew, who suffers more than was ever
before endured, it is not the state to which I am reduced which afflicts me
most, but I am separated from the fair Zainzinette, and without her I cannot
live."

The queen was distressed to see the finest prince upon earth reduced to this
state. She promised to exert her art to the utmost to help him. Perinet
begged her above all things to bring him every day news of Zainzinette. She
granted him this consola- tion, and to bring it about she presented him with a
little spaniel dog of a brown and white color whom she ordered to report to
the prince every moment just what Zainzinette was doing. This little dog was
the prettiest creature which had ever been seen up to that time, and all the
porcelains were charmed with him. They could not endure to be a moment
without playing with him. Perinet was but too happy in being able to hear
every moment from his fair lady.

After the Fairy had made him such a fine present, she gave three strokes of
her wand, and a palace rose in the midst of a garden. Both palace and garden
were worthy of the Fairy Queen. The porcelains of the island had orders not to
leave the prince, and to try to amuse him in every way possible, and in order
to make them take more interest in him, the Fairy told them that he was
destined to put an end to their misfortunes. All the porcelains then formed
themselves into a procession, and followed the tea-pot, who gravely
marching at their head, conducted them into the new palace. It was made of
white porcelain embellished with that antique blue which begins to be so rare
and precious. The porcelains found there exactly as many apartments as
were necessary. The suite selected by the prince, was formed of rubies, the
floor was of emeralds, his cabinet was studded with diamonds, and
ornamented with sapphires. This room was the apartment where they all met
and oc- cupied themselves only with the amusement of Perinet, whose whole
thoughts however were devoted to his dear Zainzinette.

The fairy after having arranged this beautiful establishment, came to find
Almidor, and told him every thing that had happened. " There is no re- source
in your misfortunes," said she, " no other means to end them, but to find
some entirely faultless young woman, who is willing to undertake the
deliverance of the prince and who will adventure herself alone in a boat upon
the sea. If she is pure and has freed herself from every wrong habit, the boat
will go of itself without any conductor to the place where the prince is
confined. Take no further care than to find such a young person. It will be she
who will restore your son to his original beautiful form.

All the fathers and mothers most zealous in the service of the king, came
immediately to ofTer their daughters. Not a moment was lost, and the one
who came first embarked immediately. But no sooner did the boat feel the
weight of the girl than it returned directly into the port. More than a hundred
suffered this fate the first day. Whether the wind was not favorable, or they
had some little fault which they did not know themselves, so it happened that
they all returned directly to the place whence they started.

The king in despair at finding that there was not one entirely faultless young
girl in a kingdom as large as his had recourse again to his sister. After she had
searched dilligently in her old books, she in- formed Almidor that the Princess
Zainzinette could alone deliver the Prince. At that very moment the king sent
to ask of Queen Mindamire the Princess Zainzinette for his son Prince Perinet.
Mindamire had long wished for this alliance, but she had de- sired it still more
since her daughter had confided to her the pleasure she took in the society of
the prince. She went immediately to seek Zainzinette, for she had retired into
a country house where she gave herself up to her grief for the loss of the
prince. She informed her of the subject of her visit, and the intention she had
of conducting her immediately to Almidor. The joy of the princess cannot be
expressed. She followed her mother into the dominions of the king, who
received her as the deliverer of his son. Without losing a single moment she
entered the vessel, which had been so fatal to other beauties. All the court
and the city were assembled on the shore, but all the spectators were
agitated with different sentiments. Everybody watched with the deepest
interest this great event, when they saw the sails unfurl of themselves and
the vessel went forward with such great rapidity that it was out of sight in a
moment.

The princess felt a joy which cannot be described. She was going to see her
lover again, she alone of all the people in the world could release him from
the unfortunate fate he was suffering, and she could give him at the same
time the strongest proof of her affection. It was night when the vessel went
into the harbor of the fatal island, but Zainzinette immediately stepped out,
her impatience was so great. Her foot had hardly touched the shore, than she
saw advancing toward her a little opal car, the wheels of which were of topaz.
It was drawn by six glowworms. A child, smiling and beautiful as the morning,
conducted the car. As soon as he perceived the princess, he stepped out,
went to meet her, and taking her by the hand as-sisted her to ascend the car.
It was immediately in motion and went forward with such rapidity that she
had not time to make the least reflection on what was going on. In a moment
she arrived in front of a superb palace, and it was there that her beautiful
carriage stopped short.

This mansion was distinguished by every thing most singular and desirable. It
was built of red and blue butterflies' wings, and the furniture was made of the
most beautiful spider webs embroidered with gold. As soon as Zainzinette
had entered, she ran every where, calling- " Perinet, my dear Perinet," for she
imagined this was the place where she was to find him. When she had passed
through several rooms, she was stopped by a woman still smaller than the
child who had served her for a coachman. This little dwarf called out to her,
" stop fair Zainzinette, listen to me, you seek Perinet in vain. My father, King
of the Blue Island and master of this kingdom, has ordered me to come and
meet you. to assure you from him of the most violent love he has for you. The
fear of displeasing you prevents him from appearing before .you, after the
cheat he has practiced upon you. For it is he who just took the form of a child,
to bring you here, and prevent you from going to the palace of porcelains.
The princess at this felt the most violent grief. She could not restrain her
feelings, and in her anger, she said every thing which love and despair could
dictate, after which she fainted in the arms of the dwarf, who laid her upon a
magnificent bed.

Nortandose was as much afflicted as he could be at any thing, at the state to

which his cruelty had reduced Zainzinette. He reproached himself and was
even on the point of carrying the princess to the place where he found her,
but he remembered the good grace with which she left her boat, and the
wonderful beauty with which he had been dazzled at the first sight of her, for
unfortunately for Zainzinette he was walking on the sea at the time she
embarked to deliver Perinet. After he had made all these reflections he

decided that he could not give up a person who appeared so beautiful; and to
whom he had become so attached.

The queen, his daughter, did every thing in her power to recover Zainzinette
from her fainting fit. She was as good and gentle, as her father was cruel and
wicked. " Fair Zainzinette," said she, " moderate your grief, stop your tears,
my father is the most inconstant of men, he often looks with in- difference in
the evening at what he has loved desperately in the morning. If however he
persists in his evil designs, I will assist you depend upon me." But nothing
could console Zainzinette, she opened her lips only to say "Let me die, since I
cannot see Perinet."

She passed several days in this cruel state. Nortandose had the discretion not
to present him- self before her for fear of irritating her. As for the dwarf, she
was so touched with the sorrow of the princess, that she promised to take her
out of her father's hands, provided she would chack in some measure the
violence of her grief. Zainzinette saw that she spoke with sincerity, and she
moderated her tears and groans. They agreed together that she should
permit Nortandose to pay her a visit, and that she should make every effort
not to let him see her aversion to him. The Prince of the Blue Island was
transported at the kindness of the Princess. Every day he contrived the most
magnificent festivals and amusements, and was beginning to entertain great
hopes that the princess would at last receive him with favor, when he was
called away to settle some difficulties which had arisen in a distant part of his
kingdom. His daughter took advantage of this absence to keep her promise to
Zainzinette.

Before separating from the Princess, she made her a present of an entirely
blue robe, which covered her from head to foot. This disguise, though simple,
assisted her flight, for all the inhabitants of the Blue Island were dressed in
that color. She added to this gift the present of a little white wand, which
would conduct her in a straight line to the porcelain palace. She conjured her
to trust herself to it entirely, and embracing her tenderly, said, " I hope your
journey will be as fortunate as I desire it to be." Zainzinette, without knowing
where she was going, followed exactly the wand, which al- ways preceded her
at a little distance. She walked for six months, not without suffering every
kind of fatigue, and sometimes almost falling into despair of ever finding her
lover. At last she one day per- ceived a castle, on which the sun's rays fell
directly. It was so brilliant that her eyes could not bear the splendor of it. This
wonder redoubled her curiosity. When she was at a certain distance, her as-

tonishment increased. Porcelain vessels of every kind came to meet her ; two
vases advanced, offer- ing their hands or arms, two cups held up her dress, a
troop of mugs and pitchers preceded, followed and paid their respects to her.
In the midst of the hon- ors she was receiving, a yellow tea-pot broke through
the crowd by which she was surrounded, and stopping before her, said to her
in a tone of the deepest affection, " It is then you, my dearest Zainzinette,
who are willing to see Perinet in the dread- ful state to which he is reduced."

She could not mistake the form of her dear friend, she took him in her arms
with transports of joy. The Prince was ashamed to appear before his mistress
in such a ridiculous form, he dared not speak a single word, and only allowed
his sighs to be heard. But the princess assured him he was equally dear to
her under whatever form. This assurance encouraged the tea-pot, and made
him say every thing which love and gratitude could dictate.

When they reached the palace, the princess went over it to admire its
magnificence, and then went to repose herself in the apartment of Prince
Perinet. It was there that the porcelains pressed around her, making her the
most polite and agreeable compli- ments. They told her how the little Spaniel
had warned them of all her proceedings, and how Prince Perinet had been
distressed at the fatigue and anxiety she had suffered. While this
conversation was going on, the little dog ran in so fast that he was near
overturning ten or a dozen of the vases and pitchers. After having taken
breath, he informed the company that Nortandose was on the palace steps,
and that he would infallibly enter. Since he had discovered the loss of the
Princess, he had done nothing but search for her. This news caused the
greatest alarm. The little Spaniel ordered silence, and addressing the tea-pot,
" Prince," said he, " it depends on you to secure your happiness, the
enchanter will soon appear in the palace, he can only be wounded on the top
of his head. Remember that an opportunity lost can never be regained." At
these words the little dog disappeared.

It may easily be imagined that his departure af- flicted all the assembly, for
they had no resource but in the skill and wisdom of the Spaniel. A thousand
things were proposed ,when Zainzinette advised that the tea-pot, whose
courage and resolu- tion she knew, should be placed on the cornice over the
door of the room into which Nortandose must enter, and that he should select
the right time, and fall straight down upon the magician's head. The
porcelains approved the plan, and Zainzinette took the tea-pot and placed
him in the middle of the cornice, after which all the different articles of

porcelain placed themselves around her, awaiting the result in the greatest
anxiety.

Scarcely had they so arranged themselves when they heard the Prince of the
Blue Island on the stairs. He went from room to room in search of Zainzinette.
At last he arrived at the one where she was, but scarcely had he reached the
door step, when the tea-pot threw himself on the top of his head, from there
he fell to the ground and broke into a thousand pieces. Zainzinette at this
sight shrieked and fainted, but Perinet, who had now recovered his own fine
form, succeeded easily in restoring her. All the other porcelains at the same
moment became what they were before their meta- morphosis. Never was
seen such a number of beautiful men and women, for their charms yielded to
nothing but those of Zainzinette and Perinet. These two friends imagined of
course that Nortandose was dead, but what was their surprise at seeing him
changed into a porcelain Pagoda. This Pagoda had not like them the power to
speak andmove, it had only a certain motion of the top which still threatened
them.

It is needless to dwell on the delights of the Prince and Princess, and all those
persons who were released from their enchantment. After a fine repast, which
they found provided for them in one of the apartments, they all walked out
into the park. Here new wonders awaited them. A most remarkable car,
drawn by swallows, made its appearance. The Queen of the Fairies and the
little dwarf alighted from it. They handed Zainzinette and Perinet into the car.
Another car soon appeared, drawn by six wild ducks, into which all the
Princes and Princesses were comfortably stowed.

It may easily be imagined that they all left the island without regret. The old
giant Pagoda was forced to remain, and is probably nodding his head there to
this day. They all soon arrived at the palace of King Almidor, where they were
joyfully received. Zainzinette and Perinet were immediately united in
marriage, and after having celebrated the occasion with the most varied and
magnificent festivals, the other Princes and Princesses returned to their
several homes, and all lived happy and were as good as they could be. The
wicked Ticie, in some of her travels arrived at the Blue Island, and was
immediately changed there to a Pagoda, for the Fairy who had worked all
these wonders, had decreed that this should be the fate of all the evil
disposed and bad people who arrived in that island.