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Once there was a Sultan who lived with his daughter in a grand palace in Istanbul.

Standing tall against a backdrop of olive trees, with a bustling market on all sides,

the white palace was the gem of the town. Its beautiful marble columns and high arches were

a sight to behold. The Sultan's daughter was a happy young woman and

had everything she needed. During the day, she'd explore the palace grounds or visit the vast library.

In the evening, she would relax in the Turkish steam bath. One of the Sultan's favorite parts

of living in the palace was the grand feast. Each night, the royal family dined on spicy lentil soup,

stuffed grape leaves, grilled cough-dough, and mouth-watering kebabs. However, none of the food,

nor finery of the palace, could match what the Sultan are found in the royal gardens.

Judas trees with deep pink flowers lined the garden pathway. Their petals scattered along the earth and ground.

Grassy patches were filled with red tulips, springing toward the blue sky. Bright purple,

yellow, and pink flowers added to the sweet fragrance that wafted through the air.

The girl spent many hot afternoons taking shade under the canopy of the wonderfully

scented trees. She passed the time watching the setting sun glistening off the brightly colored flowers at dusk.

The garden was full of delight and splendour. Yet, there was one thing the Sotana wished for that

couldn't be found in any garden in Turkey. She wanted an apple from the tree of life.

The Sotana had been curious about the tree since she was a little girl.

She'd heard about it in stories told as she was drifting off to sleep.

...