The story opens in the lively streets of Baghdad, where a young, strong porter struggles to earn his daily bread. One morning, he is hired by a veiled young woman of striking beauty to carry her purchases through the crowded markets. From stall to stall, she buys rare foods, fine wine, and costly perfumes, filling his baskets until they are heavy. Intrigued by her grace and mystery, the porter follows her without question until they arrive at a grand and elegant house, unlike anything he has seen before.
Inside the house, the porter meets two more beautiful young women, equally refined and captivating. Instead of dismissing him, the three women invite him to stay for a lavish feast as a reward for his service. During the evening, the porter reveals that although he is poor, he is clever, witty, and gifted with words. Through jokes, riddles, and playful conversation, he entertains the women, turning the gathering into a joyful celebration filled with laughter, music, and wine.
As the night deepens, unexpected guests arrive at the door. First come three men, each blind in the left eye, who present themselves as wandering travelers seeking shelter. Shortly after, three more men appear, claiming the same need. Unknown to everyone in the house, these newcomers are three disguised princes and Caliph Harun al-Rashid himself, accompanied by his vizier Ja'far and a servant, all walking the city in secret to observe the lives of ordinary people. The hostess agrees to let them stay, but only after pointing to a warning written plainly on the door: anyone who speaks of matters that do not concern them will hear things they wish they had never known.
As the night unfolds, the guests witness disturbing and puzzling behavior. The women suddenly bring out two black dogs, beating them harshly, only to embrace them moments later while weeping in sorrow. Overcome by curiosity and confusion, the porter and the guests forget the warning and ask for an explanation. At once, the women erupt in fury and declare that the guests have broken their oath and must be put to death for prying into secrets that were not theirs.
To save their lives, the women allow one last chance for mercy. Each guest must tell the story of his life, proving that he has suffered enough to deserve forgiveness. One by one, the three one-eyed men reveal that they are princes cursed by fate. Their tales speak of lost kingdoms, betrayal, magical islands, cruel jinn, and terrible transformations, including cities turned to stone and loved ones destroyed by sorcery. Their suffering is deep, strange, and undeniable.
When it is finally his turn, the porter admits that he has no noble blood, no heroic past, and no tragic curse. Instead, he speaks honestly and humbly. He explains that his only crime was being dazzled by beauty and swept away by wonder, and that curiosity, not malice, guided his tongue. With sharp wit and sincere humility, he asks not for praise, but for compassion. His words, though simple, reveal wisdom born of hardship and survival.
At dawn, the truth reaches the palace. Caliph Harun al-Rashid casts off his disguise and summons everyone before the court. There, the three women finally reveal their secret. The two black dogs are their own sisters, transformed by magic as punishment for jealousy, cruelty, and betrayal. Bound by a spell, the women were forced to punish them daily while mourning their fate. Moved by the full truth, the Caliph orders justice guided by mercy.
Through royal authority, honest confession, and human compassion, the curses are lifted. The sisters are restored, the princes regain honor, and the women are freed from their sorrow. The porter, whose intelligence and sincerity held the fragile night together, is rewarded generously and praised for proving that wisdom does not belong only to kings.
This tale endures because it celebrates the intelligence of ordinary people, reminding readers that sharp thinking and humility can rival royal power. It warns of the danger of unchecked curiosity, while also affirming that truth, when met with mercy, can heal even the darkest secrets. In the end, justice prevails not through cruelty, but through understanding, balance, and forgiveness.