The Four Hundred and Sixty-seventh Night
by Unknown
Adapted Version
A kind young man had three friends. They loved him very much.
Their master was very sad. A greedy man had a magic ring. This ring made the Princess sad. His friends wanted to help him. They made a plan for the ring.
The Cat went to a high wall. She watched the big house from there. The tiny Mouse went inside the house. She was very quiet and small.
The Mouse found the greedy man. He was sleeping soundly in his bed. The Princess was far away. She looked very sad and lonely.
The Mouse saw a shiny ring. It was in the man's mouth. The Mouse was very clever. She found some oil in a pot. She put oil on his nose. The man gave a big sneeze. The ring popped out!
The Mouse grabbed the magic ring. She was very happy indeed. The Cat was happy too. The Dog was happy. They all went home. The big Dog swam in the sea. They rode on his back.
The Cat carried the ring for a while. Then the Mouse carried it. The Dog wanted to carry it too. He barked very loudly. He said, "I will splash you!" They were scared.
The Dog took the ring. Oh no! It fell into the sea. The sea was deep and blue. The animals were very sad. They were so sad.
They came to the land. Their master was waiting there. He was sleeping. He looked very sad.
Suddenly, a special fish jumped out. It came from the deep, blue sea. It had the magic ring! The fish said, "He saved me. I save him."
The animals woke their master. They told him the whole story. It was a wonderful story. They said, "Be kind. Good things happen."
The young man was so happy. He took the magic ring. He waited for night to come.
He went to a big hill. It was near the big palace. He rubbed the ring. Poof! A magic helper came. It was a genie. The genie asked, "What do you wish?"
He said, "Move this hill!" The genie moved it. Now the young man could see. He could be with the Princess.
And so, the kind young man was happy with the Princess, all thanks to his good heart and his clever animal friends. Good deeds always bring good rewards!
Original Story
The Four Hundred and Sixty-seventh Night,
Dunyazad said to her, "Allah upon thee, O my sister, an thou be other than sleepy, finish for us thy tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It hath reached me, O auspicious King, the director, the right-guiding, lord of the rede which is benefiting and of deeds fair-seeming and worthy celebrating, that the Dog said to the Cat and the Mouse, "I will abide and await you here, and do ye twain fare into the Palace, where the Cat shall take her station upon the crenelles over the lattice window and the Mouse shall enter the mansion and roam about and search through the rooms until she come upon the Ring required." So they did the Dog's bidding and sought the places he had appointed to them and the Mouse crept about but found naught until she approached the bedstead and beheld the Jew asleep and the Princess lying afar off. He had been longsome in requiring of her her person and had even threatened her with slaughter, yet he had no power to approach her nor indeed had he even looked upon the form of her face. Withal the Mouse ceased not faring about until she approached the Jew, whom she discovered sleeping upon his back and drowned in slumber for the excess of his drink that weighed him down. So she drew near and considered him and saw the Ring in his mouth below his tongue whereat she was perplext how to recover it; but presently she went forth to a vessel of oil and dipping her tail therein approached the sleeper and drew it over his nostrils, whereat he sneezed with a sneeze so violent that the Ring sprang from between his jaws and fell upon the side of the bedstead. Then she seized it in huge joy and returning to the Cat said to her, "Verily the prosperity of our lord hath returned to him." After this the twain went back to the Dog whom they found expecting them, so they marched down to the sea and mounted upon his back and he swam with them both, all three being in the highest spirits. But when they reached the middle of the main, quoth the Cat to the Mouse, "Pass the Ring to me that I may carry it awhile;" and the other did so, when she placed it in her chops for an hour of time. Then quoth the Dog to them, "Ye twain have taken to yourselves charge of the Ring, each of you for a little time, and I also would do likewise." They both said to him, "O our brother, haply 'twill fall from thy mouth;" but said he to them, "By Allah, an ye give it not to me for a while I will drown you both in this very place." Accordingly the two did in their fear as the Dog desired and when he had set it in his chops it dropped therefrom into the abyss of the ocean; seeing which all repented thereat and they said, "Wasted is our work we have wrought." But when they came to land they found their lord sleeping from the excess of his cark and his care, and so the trio stood on the shore and were sorrowing with sore sorrow, when behold, there appeared to them a Fish strange of semblance who said to them, "Take ye this Signet-ring and commit it to your lord, the son of the Fisherman, and when giving it to him say, 'Since thou diddest a good deed and threwest the Fish into the sea thy kindness shall not be for naught; and, if it fail with the Creature, it shall not fail with Allah the Creator.' Then do ye inform him that the Fish which his father the Fisher would have presented to the King and whereupon he had mercy and returned her to the waters, that Fish am I, and the old saw saith, 'This for that, and tit for tat is its reward!'" Hereupon the Dog took the Signet-ring and the other two went up with him to their lord and awaking him from sleep returned to him his Ring. But when he saw it he became like one Jinn-mad from the excess of his joy and the three related to him the affair of the Signet; how they had brought it away from the Jew and how it had dropped from the Dog's mouth into the abyss of the sea and lastly how the Fish who had found it brought it back to them declaring that it was she whom his sire had netted and whom the son had returned to the depths. Cried he, "Alham-dolillah"?Glory be to the Lord?who caused us work this weal and requited us for our kindness;" after which he took the Signet and waited until night had nighted. Then he repaired to the mount which was under the Sultan's Palace and brought out the Ring and rubbed it, when the Slave appeared and cried to him, "Here I stand (and fair befal thy command!) between thy hands: what is it needest thou and requirest thou of me?" The other replied, "I demand that thou carry off for me this mound."?And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and fell silent and ceased to say her permitted say. Then quoth her sister Dunyazad, "How sweet is thy story, O sister mine, and how enjoyable and delectable!" Quoth she, "And where is this compared with that I should relate to you on the coming night an the King suffer me to survive?" Now when it was the next night and that was
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Moral of the Story
Good deeds, even small ones, will eventually be rewarded.
Characters
Dunyazad ◆ supporting
Slender build, likely of Middle Eastern descent with dark, expressive eyes and smooth skin, as is common in the region and era of the Arabian Nights.
Attire: Flowing silk robes, likely in rich jewel tones, possibly with gold embroidery or delicate patterns, indicative of her royal status within a palace setting. Perhaps a light veil or head covering.
Wants: To hear more stories from her sister, Shahrazad, and to keep her alive.
Flaw: Her fate is tied to Shahrazad's ability to entertain the King.
Remains a constant, appreciative audience member, her role is to prompt the continuation of the narrative.
Eager, appreciative, supportive, curious.
Shahrazad ★ protagonist
Elegant and composed, likely of Middle Eastern descent with a refined bearing, reflecting her intelligence and resilience.
Attire: Luxurious, flowing silk garments, perhaps in rich, deep colors like emerald or ruby, with intricate patterns or gold thread, reflecting her status as the King's wife and a woman of high intellect. A delicate headpiece or veil might adorn her hair.
Wants: To survive by entertaining the King with stories, and to save other women from his wrath.
Flaw: Her life is constantly at risk, dependent on her storytelling prowess.
Her arc is ongoing throughout the Arabian Nights, as she continually uses her storytelling to survive and eventually soften the King's heart.
Intelligent, resourceful, captivating, resilient, strategic.
The Dog ◆ supporting
A sturdy, loyal dog, likely a breed common in the Middle East, such as a Saluki or a similar hunting dog, with a strong build and agile frame. His fur could be a sandy brown or black, well-kept.
Attire: None, as an animal.
Wants: To help his lord recover the ring; later, to assert his own importance.
Flaw: Impulsiveness and pride, which lead him to demand the ring and subsequently lose it.
Starts as a leader, makes a critical error due to pride, and experiences regret, but ultimately helps return the ring.
Leader-like, loyal, demanding, impulsive, regretful.
The Cat ◆ supporting
A sleek, agile cat, perhaps a domestic shorthair common in the region, with soft fur and keen senses. Could be black, tabby, or calico.
Attire: None, as an animal.
Wants: To help her lord recover the ring; later, to share in the responsibility of carrying it.
Flaw: Susceptible to the Dog's threats, leading her to give up the ring.
Plays a crucial role in the retrieval plan, but her compliance with the Dog's demand leads to the ring's loss, causing regret.
Agile, observant, cautious (initially), compliant, regretful.
The Mouse ◆ supporting
A small, quick, and nimble house mouse, with soft grey or brown fur and a long tail.
Attire: None, as an animal.
Wants: To help her lord recover the ring, using her small size and wit.
Flaw: Susceptible to the Dog's threats, leading her to give up the ring.
The primary agent in retrieving the ring, but her compliance with the Dog's demand leads to the ring's loss, causing regret.
Resourceful, brave, determined, clever, compliant, regretful.
The Jew ⚔ antagonist
A man described as 'longsome' in his pursuit of the Princess, implying a persistent and perhaps somewhat imposing presence. He is asleep, 'drowned in slumber for the excess of his drink,' suggesting a heavy build or a state of dishevelment. Given the context of the Arabian Nights, he would likely be of Middle Eastern or North African Jewish descent, with features common to that region.
Attire: Likely rich but possibly disarrayed clothing due to his drunken slumber. Perhaps a tunic of fine fabric, loose trousers, and a sash, indicative of a merchant or wealthy individual in the region. The specific style would be appropriate for the historical Middle East.
Wants: To possess the Princess.
Flaw: Excessive drinking, which renders him unconscious and vulnerable.
Serves as an obstacle to the Princess and the Fisherman's Son, is outwitted by the animals, and loses the ring.
Demanding, persistent, threatening, indulgent (with drink), easily overcome when vulnerable.
The Princess ◆ supporting
Lying 'afar off' from the Jew, implying a delicate or vulnerable state, but also a resistance to his advances. Likely of Middle Eastern descent, with features considered beautiful in that culture.
Attire: Fine, modest garments, perhaps a flowing dress or tunic of silk or linen, in soft, muted colors, reflecting her captivity but also her royal status. She would be dressed in a style appropriate for a princess in the Middle East.
Wants: To avoid the Jew's advances and regain her freedom.
Flaw: Her captivity and vulnerability to the Jew's power.
She is a static character in this excerpt, serving as the object of the Jew's desire and the reason for the ring's retrieval.
Vulnerable, resistant, distressed, resilient.
The Fisherman's Son ★ protagonist
Described as 'sleeping from the excess of his cark and his care,' suggesting a hardworking individual. He would be of Middle Eastern descent, perhaps with a lean, strong build from his life by the sea.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a fisherman, such as a loose linen tunic, wide trousers, and perhaps a simple head covering like a keffiyeh or a turban, in muted, earthy tones. His clothes might show signs of wear.
Wants: To overcome his 'cark and care' and improve his fortune, which the ring promises.
Flaw: His initial state of despair and worry.
Transforms from a worried, sleeping figure to a joyful and powerful individual upon receiving the ring and discovering its magic.
Kind, compassionate (towards the fish), burdened by worry, joyful, grateful, determined.
The Fish ◆ supporting
A 'Fish strange of semblance,' implying an unusual or distinctive appearance beyond that of a common fish. It could be larger, more colorful, or have unique markings, perhaps with shimmering scales or an ethereal glow, indicative of its magical nature.
Attire: None, as an animal.
Wants: To repay the kindness shown by the Fisherman's Son.
Flaw: None apparent.
Appears to deliver the lost ring and explain the karmic reward, fulfilling its role as a magical benefactor.
Benevolent, grateful, wise, mystical.
Locations
The Sultan's Palace
A grand Arabian palace, likely of Abbasid-era design, with crenellated battlements, lattice windows, and numerous rooms. It contains a bedchamber where a Jew sleeps and a Princess lies. The architecture would feature geometric tile mosaics, perhaps muqarnas vaults, and courtyards with fountains, though only the interior rooms and crenelles are directly mentioned.
Mood: Tense, secretive, as the animals infiltrate to retrieve the ring.
The Mouse infiltrates the palace, finds the sleeping Jew, and cleverly retrieves the magic ring from his mouth.
The Open Sea
The vast, deep expanse of the ocean, stretching to the horizon. The water is deep enough to swallow a dropped ring into its abyss.
Mood: Initially triumphant and joyful, then quickly shifts to despair and regret after the ring is lost.
The Dog, Cat, and Mouse swim across the sea. The magic ring is tragically dropped into the ocean abyss by the Dog.
The Seashore
A sandy or rocky stretch of land where the sea meets the shore. The animals land here after their swim, and it's where they encounter the magical Fish. The Fisherman's son is found sleeping here.
Mood: Initially sorrowful and despairing due to the lost ring, then transforms into wonder and hope with the appearance of the magical Fish.
The animals land, sorrowing over the lost ring, and are met by a magical Fish who returns the ring and explains its significance.
Mount under the Sultan's Palace
A specific mound or hill located directly beneath the Sultan's Palace. This is where the Fisherman's son goes to use the magic ring.
Mood: Mysterious and powerful, as it's the site where the magic of the ring is activated.
The Fisherman's son uses the magic ring on this mound to summon the Slave and command the mound to be carried off.
Story DNA
Moral
Good deeds, even small ones, will eventually be rewarded.
Plot Summary
Three animal companions—a Dog, Cat, and Mouse—embark on a quest to retrieve a magical ring from a sleeping Jew, which is preventing their lord, the Fisherman's son, from being with the Princess. The Mouse cleverly obtains the ring, but the Dog accidentally drops it into the sea during their return journey. Despondent, they are met by a grateful Fish, who returns the ring, revealing it was the same fish the young man's father had caught, but the son had released. The young man uses the ring's power to summon a genie, who will remove the obstacle (a mound) preventing his union with the Princess, thus rewarding his past kindness.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is part of the larger 'One Thousand and One Nights' collection, reflecting medieval Middle Eastern storytelling traditions.
Plot Beats (15)
- Dunyazad asks Scheherazade to continue her tale.
- The Dog, Cat, and Mouse plan to retrieve a magical ring from a Jew who is keeping the Princess from their lord.
- The Cat positions herself on the crenelles, and the Mouse enters the palace.
- The Mouse finds the Jew asleep, having threatened the Princess but unable to approach her.
- The Mouse discovers the ring under the Jew's tongue and cleverly uses oil on his nostrils to make him sneeze, dislodging the ring.
- The Mouse seizes the ring, and the trio joyfully begins their journey back, swimming across the sea on the Dog's back.
- The Cat and Mouse take turns carrying the ring, but the Dog demands his turn, threatening to drown them if they refuse.
- The Dog takes the ring in his mouth, but it drops into the ocean, causing despair among the animals.
- Upon reaching land, they find their lord sleeping in sorrow.
- A strange Fish appears, returning the lost signet-ring and revealing itself to be the fish the young man's father had caught but the son had mercifully returned to the sea.
- The trio awakens their lord and explains the entire adventure, including the fish's message about kindness being rewarded.
- Overjoyed, the young man takes the ring and waits until night.
- He goes to a mound under the Sultan's Palace, rubs the ring, and a Slave (genie) appears, asking for his command.
- The young man commands the Slave to carry off the mound, implying his path to the Princess is now clear.
- Scheherazade's story is interrupted by dawn, and Dunyazad praises it.
