What is the story of The Tale of the Porter and the Three Ladies?

The Tale of the Porter and the Three Ladies is a popular story from The Arabian Nights. In the tale, a porter wanders into a wealthy neighborhood and finds himself at the door of three beautiful and wealthy women who invite him in for food and drink.

As the night goes on, each of the three women tells the porter their story of love and loss, each more tragic than the last. The first woman tells of a wealthy man who she loved deeply, but who was forced to marry another for political reasons. The second woman tells of a poor man who she loved, but who was killed by her jealous brothers. The third woman tells of a prince who she loved and who loved her in return, but who was killed by her jealous mother.

After hearing these stories, the porter is deeply moved and vows to change his ways and become a better person.

The Tale of the Porter and the Three Ladies is a classic example of Middle Eastern literature and the art of storytelling. It is often cited as one of the most beautiful and poignant tales in The Arabian Nights.