Muhammad.com collection in 109 languages

As he thought about the matter he became more
and more convinced that he must ask the king to
find him a suitable young man to be his
apprentice. Then, later on his apprentice could
take his place. After all, thought the magician, it
would be a shame if his magic was lost and gone
forever!

The next day, the magician went to the king and
told him what was on his mind. The king listened
sympathetically, agreed and told the magician
that he himself would find a suitable young man
for him to teach -- an apprentice.

The king ordered his servants to go out into the
city and search for a suitable young man. After a
long search a young man was brought before the
king and the king thought to himself, "This is just
the sort of person we are looking for!"