Indian Fairy Tales · Chapter
The Ivory City and Its Fairy Princess explained
A prince accidentally wounds a merchant's wife while practicing archery, leading to his banishment.
What happens
A prince accidentally wounds a merchant's wife while practicing archery, leading to his banishment. Accompanied by the vizier's son, he embarks on a journey, narrowly escaping robbers, and eventually reaches the Ivory City where he wins the hand of the fairy princess Gulizar. After a triumphant return with treasure and troops, he reconciles with his father and becomes a beloved ruler.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the sons, believing their father now possesses hidden wealth,…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Love and Destiny
The prince's quest for Gulizar, guided by fate and the vizier's son, culminates in a destined marriage.
- Greed and Its Consequences
The robbers' greed leads to their downfall when the prince and his soldiers destroy their tower and seize their treasure.
Characters to notice
- Prince Majnun
The prince who accidentally wounds a merchant's wife and is banished; later seeks and marries Princess Gulizar.
- Gulizar
The fairy princess of the Ivory City who becomes the prince's bride.
- The Wazir
The vizier's son, loyal friend who accompanies the prince into exile and helps him win Gulizar.
- Raja Sarkap
The king who orders the prince's banishment after the accidental shooting.
Key passages
“took out of her bosom an ivory box, and held it up to me. Then I fainted. Oh! if you can get me that fairy for my wife, I will go anywhere with you.”
She revealed an ivory box from her bosom, causing me to faint. I vowed to go anywhere if you could win that fairy as my bride.
The prince describes his vision of Gulizar and his desire to marry her.
“I have a charm, whereby I can make them thin or fat.”
I possess a magic spell that can shrink or enlarge objects at will.
The vizier's son uses a charm to sneak the horses through a narrow door.
