The Tale of the Sultan's Son

Many years ago, there was a Sultan (King) who loved his people very much.

The Sultan would often dress up in plain clothes, day and night, to walk among his people. He would listen to their happiness and their complaints. But no one could recognize him.

One morning, before mixing with the people, the Sultan said to his son, Ahmet: "My son, when I grow old, you will be the owner of my throne. Walk around with me sometimes, so you won't have trouble when you become Sultan."

Ahmet agreed with his father. He also changed his clothes and agreed to go with his father. The Sultan said: "My son, this time, let's not go into the city center, let's go to the quiet neighborhoods."

As the father and son walked, Ahmet became thirsty. He got permission from his father and went to drink water from a fountain he saw. There was a beautiful girl at the fountain. Ahmet was so stunned by the girl's beauty that he couldn't speak! The girl offered Ahmet a cup of water. After drinking the water, Ahmet quickly rushed back to his father, feeling excited.

Even after some time passed, Ahmet could not forget the girl. Finally, he told his father about the girl he liked.

The Sultan learned his son was in love: "Don't worry, my child. If they agree, we will ask for the girl you like for you," he said.

The girl's father was a silk carpet weaver. Every day, he and his daughter wove carpets and sold them to earn a living.

One day, the Sultan knocked on the weaver's door. He asked for his daughter for his son.

The father did not want to give his daughter to the Sultan's son. He said to the Sultan: "Your son does not have a trade (meslek), my Sultan. Even though I know he will be Sultan one day, I do not agree to this marriage. If he truly wants to marry my daughter, let him learn a trade first, and then come and ask for my daughter."

The Sultan found the father's request fair and respected him. He went to his son Ahmet and told him what happened.

Because Ahmet liked the girl so much, he quickly learned how to weave carpets. In a short time, he had a trade.

After a while, he went to the father of the girl he loved and told him that he now had a trade. The father was happy that Ahmet had learned a trade and agreed to marry his daughter to Ahmet. He told his daughter the situation. The girl, who also liked Ahmet whom she had seen at the fountain, agreed to marry him.

Ahmet and the beautiful girl were married with a grand wedding. But their happiness did not last very long.

One day, Ahmet suddenly disappeared. No one heard from him for seven years. The Sultan became sick from the sorrow of losing his son and took to his bed. The Prince's beautiful wife patiently waited for Ahmet to return.

One day, a man they did not know came to the palace. The man went before the Sultan and said: "My honorable Sultan, someone sent you a gift. He did not say who he was," and then the man left the palace.

Ahmet's wife looked closely at the carpet. Since she also wove carpets, she could read the patterns like a book.

The woman examined the carpet carefully and noticed the word 'Ahmet' woven into the design. "Ahmet must have sent this carpet," she said and continued looking closely.

Suddenly, she touched the carpet and saw the words woven into it: "They kidnapped me and threw me into the dungeon."

The wife read the message and immediately told the Sultan. The Sultan sent his men and rescued Ahmet from the dungeon.

Before going to the palace, Ahmet wanted to stop by his father-in-law's house. Ahmet went to his father-in-law and said to him: "I was very angry at you when you didn't give me your daughter, but when I was in the dungeon, I realized you were right. My trade saved my life. The profession I learned because of your request brought me back to my family." He thanked his father-in-law and kissed his hands.

Ahmet returned to the palace and was reunited with his family. After a while, Ahmet had children. Ahmet made sure his children were educated and had trades too. Ahmet and his family lived happily ever after.

They got their wish, and we can climb onto the couch. 🛋️