OF CLEMENCY
by Unknown · from Tales from the Arabic — Complete
Adapted Version
Once there was a king. He was very angry. A Vizier came to King Azadbekht. He spoke to the king. "Punish the Young Man," he said. "People talk about him." The king was angry.
The Young Man stood before the king. He asked for kindness. "Please forgive me," he said. "It is good to forgive. God wants us to be kind. No kindness is bigger than this. I will tell you a story. It is about King Bihkerd."
"King Bihkerd was a king. He was not always kind. He went hunting one day. His servant Yetrou was there. Yetrou shot an arrow. It hurt the king's ear."
Yetrou was scared. He asked for kindness. "It is good to be kind," Yetrou said. "God will be kind." King Bihkerd pardoned Yetrou. He did not often forgive people.
Yetrou was a prince. He went back to his father. His father was a king. He lived in a new land.
Later, King Bihkerd went on a boat. The boat got lost in a storm. He came to a new land. He was alone. He had no royal clothes. It was Yetrou's father's land.
People saw King Bihkerd. They wrongly blamed him for a bad thing. They put him in a small room. He thought about his bad deeds. He was sad then.
King Bihkerd was in the room. He saw a bird. He threw a stone. The stone hit a young man. It hurt his ear. This young man was Prince Yetrou.
Prince Yetrou looked at King Bihkerd. He saw the king's special ear. King Bihkerd told his story. Yetrou knew this king. This was the king who pardoned him.
Prince Yetrou was kind to King Bihkerd. He hugged the king. "You were kind to me before," Yetrou said. "Now I am kind to you. Your kindness saved you today."
Prince Yetrou sent King Bihkerd home. He sent him with much honor. King Bihkerd was happy then. He went back to his own land.
The Young Man finished his story. "Kindness is the best thing," he said. "Good things happen when you are kind. You will find it later. It is a treasure for you."
King Azadbekht heard the story. His anger went away. He thought about the words. "Send the Young Man back," he said. "We will decide next day. We will think about his fate."
Kindness brings good things.
Original Story
OF CLEMENCY.
When it was the seventh day, the seventh vizier, whose name was Bihkemal, came in to the king and prostrating himself to him, said, "O king, what doth thy long-suffering with this youth advantage thee? Indeed the folk talk of thee and of him. Why, then, dost thou postpone the putting him to death?" The vizier's words aroused the king's anger and he bade bring the youth. So they brought him before him, shackled, and Azadbekht said to him, "Out on thee! By Allah, after this day there abideth no deliverance for thee from my hand, for that thou hast outraged mine honour, and there can be no forgiveness for thee."
"O king," answered the youth, "there is no great forgiveness save in case of a great crime, for according as the offence is great, in so much is forgiveness magnified and it is no dishonour to the like of thee if he spare the like of me. Verily, Allah knoweth that there is no fault in me, and indeed He commandeth unto clemency, and no clemency is greater than that which spareth from slaughter, for that thy forgiveness of him whom thou purposest to put to death is as the quickening of a dead man; and whoso doth evil shall find it before him, even as it was with King Bihkerd." "And what is the story of King Bihkerd?" asked the king. "O king," answered the youth,
STORY OF KING BIHKERD.
"There was once a king named Bihkerd aed he had wealth galore and many troops; but his deeds were evil and he would punish for a slight offence and never forgave. He went forth one day to hunt and one of his servants shot an arrow, which lit on the king's ear and cut it off. Quoth Bihkerd, 'Who shot that arrow?' So the guards brought him in haste the offender, whose name was Yetrou, and he of his fear fell down on the ground in a swoon. Then said the king, 'Put him to death;' but Yetrou said, 'O King, this that hath befallen was not of my choice nor of my knowledge; so do thou pardon me, in the hour of thy power over me, for that clemency is of the goodliest of things and belike it shall be [in this world] a provision and a good work [for which thou shall be requited] one of these days, and a treasure [laid up to thine account] with God in the world to come. Pardon me, therefore, and fend off evil from me, so shall God fend off from thee evil the like thereof.' When the king heard this, it pleased him and he pardoned the servant, albeit he had never before pardoned any.
Now this servant was of the sons of the kings and had fled from his father, on account of an offence he had committed. Then he went and took service with King Bihkerd and there happened to him what happened. After awhile, it chanced that a man recognized him and went and told his father, who sent him a letter, comforting his heart and mind and [beseeching him] to return to him. So he returned to his father, who came forth to meet him and rejoiced in him, and the prince's affairs were set right with him.
It befell, one day of the days, that King Bihkerd embarked in a ship and put out to sea, so he might fish; but the wind blew on them and the ship foundered. The king won ashore on a plank, unknown of any, and came forth, naked, on one of the coasts; and it chanced that he landed in the country whereof the father of the youth aforesaid, [his sometime servant], was king. So he came in the night to the gate of the latter's city and [finding it shut], took up his lodging [for the night] in a burying-place there.
When the morning morrowed and the folk came forth of the city, they found a murdered man cast down in a corner of the burial-ground and seeing Bihkerd there, doubted not but it was he who had slain him; so they laid hands on him and carried him up to the king and said to him, 'This fellow hath slain a man.' The king bade imprison him; [so they clapped him in prison] and he fell a-saying in himself, what while he was in the prison, 'All that hath befallen me is of the abundance of my sins and my tyranny, for, indeed, I have slain much people unrighteously and this is the requital of my deeds and that which I have wrought aforetime of oppression.' As he was thus pondering in himself, there came a bird and lighted down on the coign of the prison, whereupon, of his much eagerness in the chase, he took a stone and cast it at the bird.
Now the king's son was playing in the exercise-ground with the ball and the mall, and the stone lit on his ear and cut it off, whereupon the prince fell down in a swoon. So they enquired who had thrown the stone and [finding that it was Bihkerd,] took him and carried him before the prince, who bade put him to death. Accordingly, they cast the turban from his head and were about to bind his eyes, when the prince looked at him and seeing him cropped of an ear, said to him, 'Except thou wert a lewd fellow, thine ear had not been cut off.' 'Not so, by Allah!' answered Bihkerd. 'Nay, but the story [of the loss] of my ear is thus and thus, and I pardoned him who smote me with an arrow and cut off my ear.' When the prince heard this, he looked in his face and knowing him, cried out and said, 'Art thou not Bihkerd the king?' 'Yes,' answered he, and the prince said to him 'What bringeth thee here?' So he told him all that had betided him and the folk marvelled and extolled the perfection of God the Most High.
Then the prince rose to him and embraced him and kissed him and entreated him with honour. Moreover, he seated him in a chair and bestowed on him a dress of honour; and he turned to his father and said to him, 'This is the king who pardoned me and this is his ear that I cut off with an arrow; and indeed he deserveth pardon from me, for that he pardoned me.' Then said he to Bihkerd, 'Verily, the issue of clemency hath been a provision for thee [in thine hour of need].' And they entreated him with the utmost kindness and sent him back to his own country in all honour and worship Know, then, O King," continued the youth, "that there is no goodlier thing than clemency and that all thou dost thereof, thou shalt find before thee, a treasure laid up for thee."
When the king heard this, his wrath subsided and he said, "Carry him back to the prison till the morrow, so we may look into his affair."
The Eighth Day.
Story DNA
Moral
Clemency and forgiveness, even for great offenses, will ultimately return to benefit the one who shows it.
Plot Summary
Facing execution for offending King Azadbekht, a youth pleads for clemency by telling the story of King Bihkerd. Bihkerd, a cruel king, once pardoned his servant Yetrou after Yetrou accidentally cut off his ear. Years later, Bihkerd's ship founders, and he washes ashore, unrecognized, in the country of Yetrou's father. Falsely accused of murder and imprisoned, Bihkerd accidentally injures Yetrou's ear. Yetrou, now a prince, recognizes Bihkerd by his missing ear and the story of his past clemency. Reciprocating the kindness, Yetrou honors Bihkerd and sends him home, proving that clemency is its own reward and influencing King Azadbekht to reconsider his judgment.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anger to contemplation to potential clemency
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is part of 'The Book of Sindibad' or 'The Seven Viziers,' a collection of frame stories from the Middle East, often featuring a king, a youth, and a series of viziers telling tales to influence the king's decision.
Plot Beats (13)
- The seventh vizier urges King Azadbekht to execute a youth, making the king angry.
- The youth, shackled, pleads for clemency, arguing that great forgiveness is for great crimes and that Allah commands clemency, citing the story of King Bihkerd.
- The youth begins the nested story: King Bihkerd, a cruel ruler, has his ear accidentally cut off by his servant, Yetrou, during a hunt.
- Yetrou pleads for clemency, emphasizing its virtue and future reward, and Bihkerd, against his nature, pardons him.
- Yetrou, revealed to be a prince, returns to his father's kingdom.
- Later, King Bihkerd's ship founders at sea, and he washes ashore, naked and unrecognized, in Yetrou's father's country.
- Bihkerd is falsely accused of murder and imprisoned, reflecting on his past cruelties.
- While imprisoned, Bihkerd throws a stone at a bird, accidentally hitting and cutting the ear of Yetrou, who is now a prince.
- Yetrou, seeing Bihkerd's missing ear and hearing his story of how he lost it, recognizes him as the king who once pardoned him.
- Yetrou embraces Bihkerd, honors him, and explains that Bihkerd's past clemency has now become his provision.
- Yetrou sends Bihkerd back to his country with honor.
- The youth concludes his story, reiterating that clemency is the goodliest thing and will be rewarded.
- King Azadbekht's anger subsides, and he postpones the youth's execution until the morrow to consider his case.
Characters
Azadbekht
A powerful and imposing figure, likely of average to tall height and a strong build, befitting a king. His features would reflect his Middle Eastern heritage, with a commanding presence.
Attire: Rich, flowing robes made of silk or brocade, possibly in deep jewel tones like sapphire or emerald, adorned with gold embroidery. He would wear a jeweled turban, indicative of his royal status, and possibly a wide, ornate belt.
Wants: To maintain his honor and authority, to dispense justice, and ultimately, to rule wisely and justly.
Flaw: His initial quick temper and tendency to condemn without full consideration, driven by a desire to uphold his honor.
He begins as an angry king determined to execute the youth but is swayed by the youth's story and argument for clemency, leading him to postpone the execution and reconsider his judgment.
Initially wrathful, prone to quick judgment, but ultimately thoughtful and capable of clemency. He is influenced by wisdom and reason, showing a capacity for change.
The Youth
A young man, perhaps of slender to average build, showing signs of hardship from imprisonment but with an inherent dignity. His features would be consistent with a Middle Eastern background.
Attire: Simple, possibly worn, garments befitting a prisoner, likely a tunic and trousers made of coarse linen or cotton, in muted, earthy tones. Shackles would be visible on his wrists and ankles.
Wants: To save his own life by convincing the king of the value of clemency and to impart wisdom.
Flaw: His vulnerable position as a prisoner facing execution.
He begins as a condemned prisoner and, through his eloquence and the story he tells, manages to sway the king's decision, moving from certain death to a reprieve.
Eloquent, wise, persuasive, and resilient. He possesses a deep understanding of justice and human nature, using storytelling to advocate for clemency.
Bihkemal
A vizier, likely of average height and build, with a formal and somewhat severe demeanor. His appearance would be typical of a high-ranking official in a Middle Eastern court.
Attire: Formal court attire, such as a long, dark silk robe with subtle embroidery, a matching turban, and possibly a sash. His clothing would be less opulent than the king's but still indicative of high status.
Wants: To protect the king's reputation and ensure justice is swiftly carried out according to custom.
Flaw: His rigidity and lack of foresight regarding the deeper implications of clemency.
He initiates the king's anger against the youth but does not appear again after the king's decision to reconsider.
Loyal to the king's honor, traditional, and perhaps somewhat rigid in his views on justice. He is direct and unafraid to voice his concerns.
Bihkerd
A king, initially robust and powerful, but later appearing disheveled and vulnerable after his shipwreck. He has a distinctive physical mark: one ear is cut off.
Attire: Initially, rich royal attire similar to Azadbekht, but later, naked or in rags after his shipwreck, then given a 'dress of honor' by the prince. His iconic visual is his missing ear, not his clothing.
Wants: Initially, to exert power and punish. Later, to survive and understand the consequences of his actions.
Flaw: His initial cruelty and lack of clemency, which leads to his downfall and suffering.
He transforms from a tyrannical king who never forgives into a humbled man who experiences the consequences of his past actions and is saved by his single act of clemency, eventually being restored to his kingdom.
Initially cruel, unforgiving, and tyrannical, but capable of a single act of clemency. His experiences humble him, leading to self-reflection and a recognition of his past wrongs.
Yetrou
A young man of royal lineage, initially serving as a common servant. He has a distinctive physical mark: one ear is cut off.
Attire: Initially, simple servant's attire, such as a plain tunic and trousers. Later, as a prince, he would wear more refined garments, but his iconic visual is his missing ear.
Wants: Initially, to save his own life. Later, to honor the clemency shown to him and to practice clemency himself.
Flaw: His initial fear and accidental clumsiness.
He begins as a fearful servant who accidentally injures a king and is pardoned. He returns to his royal status and later, as a prince, pardons the very king who once pardoned him, demonstrating the cyclical nature of clemency.
Initially fearful and prone to accidental harm, but also eloquent and persuasive in pleading for clemency. As a prince, he is wise, compassionate, and quick to recognize and reward past kindness.
Yetrou's Father (The King)
A king, likely of mature age, with a dignified and benevolent appearance, reflecting his compassionate nature. His features would be consistent with a Middle Eastern background.
Attire: Royal attire, perhaps less ostentatious than Bihkerd's or Azadbekht's, but still rich and dignified, such as a flowing silk robe in a deep color, and a royal turban.
Wants: To reunite with his son and rule his kingdom justly.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, but his initial separation from his son suggests a past conflict.
He is reunited with his son and later, under his son's counsel, shows clemency to King Bihkerd.
Compassionate, forgiving, and wise. He rejoices in his son's return and is open to his son's counsel regarding clemency.
Locations
King Azadbekht's Throne Room
A formal and imposing chamber within a Middle Eastern palace, likely adorned with rich textiles, intricate geometric patterns, and possibly muqarnas vaults. The air is tense with the king's anger.
Mood: Tense, formal, judgmental, intimidating
The youth is brought before King Azadbekht for sentencing, and he begins to tell the story of King Bihkerd to advocate for clemency.
King Bihkerd's Hunting Grounds
An open, wild area, likely a savanna or steppe landscape with scattered trees, suitable for hunting. The ground would be dry and dusty in places, with sparse vegetation.
Mood: Active, sudden danger, tense
King Bihkerd is accidentally wounded by his servant Yetrou during a hunt, leading to Yetrou's plea for clemency.
Coastal Burial-Ground
A burial ground located near a coastline, likely outside the city walls. It would feature simple graves or markers, possibly with some sparse, hardy vegetation. The atmosphere is desolate and foreboding.
Mood: Desolate, dangerous, mysterious
King Bihkerd, shipwrecked and naked, takes refuge in a burial-ground outside a city gate, only to be discovered next to a murdered man at dawn.
Prince's Exercise-Ground
An open area within or near the palace grounds, designed for sports and training, possibly with a flat, packed earth surface. The atmosphere is initially playful, then quickly turns to alarm.
Mood: Playful, then alarming and tense
King Bihkerd, imprisoned, accidentally injures the prince with a stone thrown at a bird, leading to his recognition and the climax of the story.