SHEHRZAD and SHEHRIYAR
by Unknown · from Tales from the Arabic — Volume 02
Adapted Version
Once, a king was very sad and angry. He felt very hurt. He asked many women to leave his castle. He did not smile. He was alone.
A kind woman named Shehrzad wanted to help. She was brave. She said, "I will marry the king." Her sister Dina said, "You are so kind."
On their wedding night, Shehrzad told a story. It was a good story. The king listened. He liked the story very much. The sun came up. The story was not finished.
"Please stay," said the king. "I want the end." Shehrzad stayed.
Every night, Shehrzad told a new story. Every night, the king listened. He was happy. He was not angry anymore. He smiled. He liked her stories a lot.
Soon, they were a happy family. They had children. The castle was full of love and stories. They played together. They laughed together.
One night, Shehrzad finished her last story. She said, "Please let me stay." "We are a family." The king looked at her. He looked at their children. He saw their happy faces.
"I love you," said the king. "I love your stories. I am sorry." He made Shehrzad his queen.
They ruled with kindness. They were happy every day. The king learned to love and be kind. And they all lived happily ever after.
Original Story
SHEHRZAD AND SHEHRIYAR.
As for King Shehriyar, he marvelled at Shehrzad with the utmost wonder and drew her near to his heart, of his much love for her; and she was magnified in his eyes and he said in himself, "By Allah, the like of this woman is not deserving of slaughter, for indeed the time affordeth not her like. By Allah, I have been heedless of mine affair, and had not God overcome me with His mercy and put this woman at my service, so she might adduce to me manifest instances and truthful cases and goodly admonitions and edifying traits, such as should restore me to the [right] road, [I had come to perdition!]. Wherefore to God be the praise for this and I beseech Him to make my end with her like unto that of the vizier and Shah Bekht." Then sleep overcame the king and glory be unto Him who sleepeth not!
When it was the Nine hundred and thirtieth Night, Shehrzad said, "O king, there is present in my thought a story which treateth of women's craft and wherein is a warning to whoso will be warned and an admonishment to whoso will be admonished and whoso hath discernment; but I fear lest the hearing of this lessen me with the king and lower my rank in his esteem; yet I hope that this will not be, for that it is a rare story. Women are indeed corruptresses; their craft and their cunning may not be set out nor their wiles known. Men enjoy their company and are not careful to uphold them [in the right way], neither do they watch over them with all vigilance, but enjoy their company and take that which is agreeable and pay no heed to that which is other than this. Indeed, they are like unto the crooked rib, which if thou go about to straighten, thou distortest it, and which if thou persist in seeking to redress, thou breakest it; wherefore it behoveth the man of understanding to be silent concerning them."
"O sister mine," answered Dinarzad, "bring forth that which is with thee and that which is present to thy mind of the story concerning the craft of women and their wiles, and have no fear lest this endamage thee with the king; for that women are like unto jewels, which are of all kinds and colours. When a [true] jewel falleth into the hand of him who is knowing therein, he keepeth it for himself and leaveth that which is other than it. Moreover, he preferreth some of them over others, and in this he is like unto the potter, who filleth his oven with all the vessels [he hath moulded] and kindleth fire thereunder. When the baking is at an end and he goeth about to take forth that which is in the oven, he findeth no help for it but that he must break some thereof, whilst other some are what the folk need and whereof they make use, and yet other some there be that return to their whilom case. Wherefore fear thou not to adduce that which thou knowest of the craft of women, for that in this is profit for all folk."
Then said Shehrzad, "They avouch, O king, (but God [alone] knowest the secret things,) that
Story DNA
Moral
Storytelling can heal deep wounds and transform destructive patterns into understanding and love.
Plot Summary
King Shehriyar, traumatized by his first wife's infidelity, marries a new woman each night and executes her the next morning. Shehrzad, the vizier's daughter, bravely volunteers to marry him, intending to end his reign of terror. Each night, she tells him an enthralling story, stopping at a cliffhanger at dawn, compelling him to spare her life for another day to hear the conclusion. This continues for 1001 nights, during which Shehrzad bears him three sons and completely transforms his heart, leading him to abandon his cruel practice and make her his beloved queen.
Themes
Emotional Arc
fear to love
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This excerpt is from 'One Thousand and One Nights' (Arabian Nights), a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. The frame story of Shehrzad and Shehriyar sets up the entire collection.
Plot Beats (10)
- King Shehriyar, deeply wounded by his first wife's infidelity, vows to marry a virgin each night and execute her the next morning.
- The vizier's daughter, Shehrzad, a wise and learned woman, volunteers to marry the king to save the kingdom's women.
- On their wedding night, Shehrzad begins to tell a captivating story, stopping at a cliffhanger at dawn.
- The king, intrigued, spares her life for another day to hear the end of the story.
- Shehrzad continues this pattern for 1001 nights, always ending her tales at a suspenseful moment.
- During this time, she bears the king three sons.
- On the 1001st night, Shehrzad finishes her final story and presents her three sons to the king, asking for her life to be spared permanently.
- The king, having been completely transformed by her stories and their shared life, realizes his love for her and grants her mercy.
- He acknowledges her wisdom and the error of his past ways, declaring her his queen.
- They live happily ever after, ruling justly and lovingly.
Characters
King Shehriyar
A man of regal bearing, likely of medium to tall height and a strong, authoritative build, reflecting his position as a powerful monarch. His features would be sharp and commanding, softened by his recent emotional transformation.
Attire: Rich, flowing robes of silk and brocade in deep jewel tones like sapphire or emerald, possibly embroidered with gold thread. A wide, ornate sash cinches his waist, and he would wear a jeweled turban or a simple gold circlet. His attire would be indicative of immense wealth and power, but not ostentatious in a crude way.
Wants: Initially driven by a desire for revenge against women due to perceived betrayal. Later, his motivation shifts to seeking wisdom, understanding, and ultimately, a meaningful connection and redemption.
Flaw: His initial profound distrust and misogyny, which led him to extreme cruelty. He was heedless of his own affairs and easily swayed by past trauma.
Transforms from a cruel, vengeful tyrant into a wise, loving, and merciful ruler, realizing the error of his ways through Shehrzad's stories and wisdom.
Initially tyrannical and vengeful, he transforms into a man capable of wonder, love, and self-reflection. He is discerning, appreciative of wisdom, and ultimately merciful.
Shehrzad
A woman of exquisite beauty and grace, likely slender but with an inner strength. Her posture would be elegant and composed, reflecting her intelligence and resilience. Her features would be delicate yet expressive.
Attire: Elegant and modest Arabian attire, such as a finely woven silk abaya or a richly embroidered caftan in soft, harmonious colors like cream, rose, or sky blue, possibly with delicate gold or silver embroidery. Her clothing would be refined and tasteful, emphasizing her grace rather than overt display.
Wants: To save her own life and the lives of other women by curing King Shehriyar of his madness and restoring him to a just ruler, using the power of storytelling and wisdom.
Flaw: Her vulnerability to the king's initial wrath, which she cleverly circumvents through her wit.
Begins as a clever woman using her wit to survive, and evolves into the beloved queen and wise counselor who transforms a kingdom and its king.
Intelligent, resourceful, courageous, eloquent, and deeply empathetic. She is a master storyteller and a wise counselor, capable of both captivating and educating.
Dinarzad
Shehrzad's younger sister, likely possessing similar beauty but perhaps with a slightly softer, more innocent demeanor. She would be of slender build, reflecting her youth.
Attire: Simpler but still elegant Arabian attire, perhaps a flowing linen dress or a less ornate caftan in soft, muted colors like ivory or pale green, reflecting her status as a noblewoman but not yet a queen. Her clothing would be comfortable for her role as an attentive listener.
Wants: To support her sister Shehrzad and to hear the captivating stories, understanding their profound impact.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, but her youth might imply a lesser degree of experience compared to Shehrzad.
Remains a consistent, supportive presence, facilitating Shehrzad's mission.
Supportive, encouraging, and discerning. She acts as a foil and a prompt for Shehrzad, showing wisdom in her own right by understanding the value of her sister's tales.
Locations
King Shehriyar's Royal Chambers
The opulent private quarters of King Shehriyar, likely adorned with rich textiles, intricate geometric patterns, and soft lighting, where Shehrzad tells her stories night after night.
Mood: Intimate, suspenseful, intellectually stimulating, with an underlying tension of life and death.
Shehrzad tells her captivating stories to King Shehriyar and Dinarzad, ultimately saving her life and transforming the King's heart.