A short poem, transmitted by the author's great-grandfather to his grandfather, then to his father, and in turn to him, inspired Emile Tubiana to write this account of a king's love at first sight for a beautiful and virtuous widow. The story is set in Baghdad, during the reign of Harun Al-Rashid, in the time that followed the battles between the caliphate and the Byzantines. A victorious general helps the widow outwit the king without acceding to his demand and emerge with results delightful to all.