A porter in Baghdad was hired by a lady. A beautiful porteress, not appearing a slave though, opened the door for them and asked her sister to come in and let the porter unload all he was carrying.
The three entered into a big court inside, wherein the third sister Zubaidah sat on the throne. The porteress was Sadie. The housekeeper Amina took the basket from the porter, who was then paid handsomely. He did not move from the place until the women agreed to dine with him.
After entertaining them with stories and songs the porter pledged to stay until morning as he was drunk and was allowed if he would not reveal to anyone about their way of life. Shortly, three Calendars with blind right eyes and shaved heads, and the Caliph and his wazir also joined them for shelter until next morning.
Having noticed several strange things including the two dogs beaten badly by the sisters, and the beautiful lady bearing scars on her neck, the Calendars and Caliph broke their promise. They were assured to be spared only after revealing their true histories to Zubaidah.
