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The events of the story revolve around the sultan, who woke up from his sleep disturbed by a sound that interrupted his beautiful dream. He decided to teach the person responsible a lesson he would never forget. The source of the sound was the jeweler Marzouk, the owner of the shop facing the sultan’s palace. Every morning, as he opened his shop, he would say:

"O Opener, O All-Knowing, O Provider, O Generous One... Your power, O Lord, is great and capable of everything. Even if something falls into the sea, Your power can bring it back to the shore."

The sultan sent his minister and ordered him to bring his precious golden ring. When the minister arrived at Marzouk’s shop, he was warmly welcomed. The sultan then asked Marzouk to craft a ring identical to his golden one but with a piece of glass instead of the precious ruby. He wanted to wear the fake ring daily and save the real one for special occasions. The sultan also instructed Marzouk to be very careful and not lose it.

Marzouk decided to place the ring inside a small box within an iron safe. Just before locking it securely, the sultan requested a glass of water. As Marzouk left to bring the water, with the minister watching him closely, the sultan seized the opportunity and took the real ring from the safe.

When Marzouk returned with the water, the sultan instructed him to complete the ring within three days. However, he warned that if the ring were lost, Marzouk’s punishment would be death.

That same day, the sultan and his minister went on a sea voyage, during which the sultan revealed what he had done with the precious ring while Marzouk had gone to fetch the water.

As the deadline approached, Marzouk searched everywhere for the ring but could not find it. He was overcome with despair and sorrow. Nearing the end of the three-day period, his wife bought a large fish from the fishmonger for their meal, hoping they could think of a way to escape the sultan’s wrath.

To their great surprise, inside the large fish, they found a smaller fish, and within it lay the sultan’s missing ring!

On the day of the ring’s delivery, the sultan was astonished when Marzouk handed him the real ring. As they conversed, the truth was revealed, and the sultan realized Marzouk’s honesty and integrity. Impressed by his righteousness, the sultan ordered his minister to appoint Marzouk as the custodian of the royal treasury.

Sana B./ Alawda Secondary School for Girls