Princess Qadira had a pet falcon. Once, she decided to visit her friend’s house, which was far beyond a great desert. As she was leaving the palace, her pet falcon swooped into her palanquin and sat beside her. “My trip will be so boring without you. Come along,” she said. Princess Qadira set off with her guards and camels laden with gifts for her friend. It was afternoon and the princess was thirsty. After a while, the guards saw a pond at a distance. Princess Qadira got off the palanquin and was about to drink the water, when her falcon pecked at her hand. She tried to drink the water again and her falcon pecked at her shoulder. Puzzled, she bent down a third time to drink the water. Just then, she saw a poisonous snake swimming in the water. She kissed her falcon and said, “Thanks for protecting me!”
The Pet Falcon
