Ahmed was the youngest son of a caliph but was favored by his father for his perceptiveness and wit, though certainly not for his looks. When Ahmed came of age his father decided to send him out into the world to make his fortune. As a parting gift he told his son he could go into his treasure rooms and take any one thing he wanted. The caliph's treasure room held many marvels, both of gold and jewels as well as magical items. Ahmed decided he would take the goose that laid golden eggs, as that would provide him with income for as long as he needed. The caliph congratulated Ahmed on his wise choice and tearfully bade his son goodbye.

Ahmed traveled for several days to a nearby city, collecting a golden egg each morning. When he got there he traded them for coins and began building his new life. Soon, with the aid of the goose plus his own innate business sense, Ahmed became quite a success. He spent every waking hour working on new ways to make money and improve his business prospects, barely taking time to sleep or eat. Within a few years his wealth rivaled that of most of the richest princes in the land! He constructed a palatial house for himself and even managed to find a male goose to impregnate his own. Soon she laid a special egg which hatched into a female gosling who, when grown, would also produce the golden eggs. 

One thing Ahmed's success could not bring was an end to his loneliness. He didn't have time to find a wife, and any women who flirted with him, he decided, were probably more interested in his money than his heart. Then one day a representative of the sultan came to see him.

"Ahmed, I see you have all that wealth can buy. And rumor is that you have a goose which lays golden eggs which will keep you all the days of your life." the emissary said.

"That is true," Ahmed responded.

"Yet you are not happy. The Sultan knows of this and also how to cure your woes. He also knows that you have a young goose who will one day lay golden eggs as well. He proposes a trade."

"A trade?" Ahmed asked. "For what would I give a source of perpetual wealth that would be worthy?"

"Why, wives, of course!" the emissary answered. "Thirty beautiful wives, of all sizes and shapes. Some tall, some short, some buxom, some slim. All catering to your every desire. And all dancers of the top caliber! For the young goose, the Sultan will provide them to you. You will be the envy of every man in the country!"

Ahmed thought it over. That would address his problem with the women wanting him for his wealth. And with thirty of them, all would be competing with the others for his favor. He wouldn't miss the young goose since he already had one. This was a wonderful idea!

He agreed to the terms and the emissary said he would return in a week. Ahmed ordered rooms prepared for his new wives and each day became more and more excited.

The next week the emissary returned. "I will take the goose now," he said, "and the women will be along in the next week or so."

"That was not our agreement!" Ahmed stormed. "What are you trying to pull? If I hand over the goose I may never see the promised wives!"

"I assure you, the Sultan's word is as good as mine!" the emissary protested.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Ahmed countered. "But you know my terms: no harem, no fowl!"