THE ELEVENTH OFFICER'S STORY
by Unknown · from Tales from the Arabic — Volume 02
Adapted Version
Once, a bossy guard did a bad thing. He saw a traveler with coins. "Take his coins," the guard told his helper. "Yes," said the helper. He took the coins. He hid them.
The traveler was very sad. "My coins are gone!" he cried. He felt lost. He told another guard. "Please help me find them." The guard listened.
The bossy guard felt worried. He had a sneaky idea. He told his helper to put a stone in the bag. The helper did it. The stone was shiny. Now the traveler looked guilty.
The head guard came. "You must find the coins," he said. He looked serious. Everyone must help.
The bossy guard saw a young boy walking. "You took the coins!" the guard said loudly. "I did not," said the boy. The guard asked him again and again. "I did not," the boy always said. He stayed calm.
Then the boy heard a kind voice. It was in his heart. "I can help find them," the boy said. He felt brave.
They all went with the boy. He showed them where the coins were hidden. Everyone was very surprised. The coins were there.
The guard gave the coins back. He asked his helper how the boy knew. The helper said he did not know. The guard was puzzled.
The guard asked the boy. The boy said his mother's kind words helped. "She blessed me with a good heart," he said. He smiled.
The bossy guard felt bad. He let the boy go. He helped the boy feel better. He gave him food. Being sneaky makes trouble. Being kind and honest helps everyone. The end.
Original Story
THE ELEVENTH OFFICER'S STORY.
There was once aforetime a chief officer [of police] and there passed by him one day a Jew, with a basket in his hand, wherein were five thousand dinars; whereupon quoth the officer to one of his slaves, "Canst thou make shift to take that money from yonder Jew's basket?" "Yes," answered he, nor did he tarry beyond the next day before he came to his master, with the basket in his hand. So (quoth the officer) I said to him, "Go, bury it in such a place." So he went and buried it and returned and told me. Hardly had he done this when there arose a clamour and up came the Jew, with one of the king's officers, avouching that the money belonged to the Sultan and that he looked to none but us for it. We demanded of him three days' delay, as of wont, and I said to him who had taken the money, "Go and lay somewhat in the Jew's house, that shall occupy him with himself." So he went and played a fine trick, to wit, he laid in a basket a dead woman's hand, painted [with henna] and having a gold seal- ring on one of the fingers, and buried the basket under a flagstone in the Jew's house. Then came we and searched and found the basket, whereupon we straightway clapped the Jew in irons for the murder of a woman.
When it was the appointed time, there came to us the man of the Sultan's guards, [who had accompanied the Jew, when he came to complain of the loss of the money,] and said, "The Sultan biddeth you nail up[FN#143] the Jew and bring the money, for that there is no way by which five thousand dinars can be lost." Wherefore we knew that our device sufficed not. So I went forth and finding a young man, a Haurani,[FN#144] passing the road, laid hands on him and stripped him and beat him with palm-rods. Then I clapped him in irons and carrying him to the prefecture, beat him again, saying to them, "This is the thief who stole the money." And we strove to make him confess; but he would not confess. So we beat him a third and a fourth time, till we were weary and exhausted and he became unable to return an answer. But, when we had made an end of beating and tormenting him, he said, "I will fetch the money forthright."
So we went with him till he came to the place where my slave had buried the money and dug there and brought it out; whereat I marvelled with the utmost wonder and we carried it to the prefect's house. When the latter saw the money, he rejoiced with an exceeding joy and bestowed on me a dress of honour. Then he restored the money straightway to the Sultan and we left the youth in prison; whilst I said to my slave who had taken the money, "Did yonder young man see thee, what time thou buriedst the money?" "No, by the Great God!" answered he. So I went in to the young man, the prisoner, and plied him with wine till he recovered, when I said to him, "Tell me how thou stolest the money." "By Allah," answered he, "I stole it not, nor did I ever set eyes on it till I brought it forth of the earth!" Quoth I, "How so?" And he said, "Know that the cause of my falling into your hands was my mother's imprecation against me; for that I evil entreated her yesternight and beat her and she said to me, 'By Allah, O my son, God shall assuredly deliver thee into the hand of the oppressor!' Now she is a pious woman. So I went out forthright and thou sawest me in the way and didst that which thou didst; and when beating was prolonged on me, my senses failed me and I heard one saying to me, 'Fetch it.' So I said to you what I said and he[FN#145] guided me till I came to the place and there befell what befell of the bringing out of the money."
I marvelled at this with the utmost wonderment and knew that he was of the sons of the pious. So I bestirred myself for his release and tended him [till he recovered] and besought him of quittance and absolution of responsibility.'
All those who were present marvelled at this story with the utmost marvel, and the twelfth officer came forward and said, 'I will tell you a pleasant trait that I had from a certain man, concerning an adventure that befell him with one of the thieves. (Quoth he)
Story DNA
Moral
Even the most cunning schemes can be undone by unforeseen forces, and ill-treatment of others can lead to unexpected retribution.
Plot Summary
A corrupt chief officer of police orchestrates the theft of 5000 dinars from a Jew. When the Sultan demands the money, the officer frames the Jew for murder by planting evidence. When this isn't enough, he abducts and tortures an innocent young man. Miraculously, under torture, the youth is guided by an unseen force to the exact location of the buried money. The officer, astonished, learns the youth's ordeal was due to his pious mother's curse for his ill-treatment, leading the officer to release and care for him, recognizing divine intervention.
Themes
Emotional Arc
injustice to miraculous intervention
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects a society with powerful rulers (Sultan), a system of justice that could be corrupt, and a strong belief in divine retribution and the power of a mother's curse.
Plot Beats (13)
- A chief officer orders his slave to steal 5000 dinars from a passing Jew, which the slave successfully does and buries.
- The Jew, accompanied by a king's officer, reports the theft, stating the money belongs to the Sultan, demanding its return.
- To buy time and deflect suspicion, the officer's slave plants a dead woman's hand in the Jew's house, leading to the Jew's arrest for murder.
- The Sultan's guard returns, insisting the money must be found, indicating the murder charge is not enough.
- The officer abducts an innocent young Haurani man from the road, falsely accusing him of the theft.
- The Haurani youth is repeatedly beaten and tortured to confess to the theft, but he maintains his innocence.
- After prolonged torture, the youth, seemingly guided by an external voice, agrees to fetch the money.
- The youth leads the officers directly to the spot where the officer's slave had buried the money, and it is recovered.
- The officer marvels at this inexplicable event, and the money is returned to the Sultan, earning the officer a reward.
- The officer questions his slave, who confirms the youth could not have seen him bury the money.
- The officer then questions the Haurani youth, who reveals he was guided by a voice after his mother's curse for his ill-treatment of her.
- Recognizing the divine intervention, the officer arranges for the youth's release and tends to his recovery, seeking absolution.
- The story concludes with the assembled officers marveling at the tale, and the twelfth officer prepares to tell his own.
Characters
The Chief Officer (Narrator)
A man of authority, likely of average height and build, with a commanding presence befitting his rank in the police force. His features would be sharp, indicative of a mind accustomed to strategizing and problem-solving, possibly with a stern expression from years of dealing with criminals.
Attire: Wears the official uniform of a chief officer of police in an Arabian setting, likely consisting of a well-tailored, flowing thobe or qamis made of fine linen or cotton, possibly in a dark color like deep blue or green, with a wide, embroidered belt. He might wear a simple turban or a keffiyeh secured with an agal, signifying his status. The fabric would be practical yet denote his position.
Wants: To maintain his position and reputation, avoid the Sultan's wrath, and solve cases (even if through dishonest means).
Flaw: His initial willingness to resort to deceit and injustice to achieve his goals, leading him to harm innocent people.
Begins as a ruthless and unjust officer, willing to frame innocents. He experiences profound wonder and a shift in perspective after witnessing the Haurani youth's miraculous ability, leading him to release the youth and seek absolution.
Cunning, resourceful, pragmatic, ruthless, and ultimately, somewhat just (in the end). He is willing to frame innocent people to protect himself and his subordinates but shows a capacity for wonder and respect for piety.
The Slave
A man of average build, likely strong and agile enough to carry out the officer's commands, including physical tasks like burying money and planting evidence. His features would be unremarkable, allowing him to blend in.
Attire: Wears simple, practical clothing suitable for a slave or servant in an Arabian household. This would likely be a loose-fitting, light-colored cotton tunic (dishdasha) and trousers (sirwal), possibly with a simple head covering like a plain ghutra. The fabric would be coarse and durable.
Wants: To follow his master's commands and avoid punishment, ensuring his own survival and well-being.
Flaw: His complete subservience to the Chief Officer, leading him to commit unethical acts.
Remains unchanged, serving as an instrument for the Chief Officer's schemes.
Obedient, efficient, cunning (in carrying out the officer's tricks), and loyal to his master.
The Jew
A man of average height and build, carrying a basket. His appearance would be typical of a merchant or trader of the time, possibly showing signs of his profession.
Attire: Wears practical, modest clothing suitable for a merchant, such as a long tunic (qamis) made of sturdy linen or wool, possibly in muted colors. He might wear a simple cap or turban. The clothing would be functional rather than opulent.
Wants: To recover his stolen money and clear his name.
Flaw: Vulnerable to the power and cunning of the Chief Officer.
A victim of injustice, his fate is left unresolved beyond being clapped in irons for a murder he didn't commit.
Distressed, fearful, and desperate when his money is stolen and he is framed.
The Haurani Youth
A young man, likely lean and strong from a life of labor in the Hauran region. His features would be open and honest, contrasting with the injustice he faces. He would show signs of severe beating.
Attire: Initially wears simple, coarse clothing typical of a young man from the Hauran region, likely a loose tunic and trousers made of rough cotton or wool. After being stripped and beaten, he would be in rags or minimal clothing, showing his injuries.
Wants: To survive the torture and, later, to understand the miraculous event that allowed him to find the money.
Flaw: Physically vulnerable to torture, but spiritually strong.
Begins as an ordinary young man, becomes a victim of extreme injustice and torture, then miraculously finds the money through divine intervention, leading to his release and the Chief Officer's wonder. He learns the power of his mother's piety.
Resilient, innocent, pious (due to his mother's influence), and truthful. He endures immense suffering without confessing to a crime he didn't commit.
The Pious Mother
Though not physically present, her character is defined by her piety. She would likely be a woman of humble appearance, perhaps with a gentle but firm demeanor, reflecting her strong faith.
Attire: Wears modest, traditional clothing of a pious woman from the Hauran region, such as a long, dark dress (thobe) made of sturdy cotton or wool, with a simple, dark head covering (mandil or hijab).
Wants: To instill respect and good behavior in her son, and to uphold her religious devotion.
Flaw: Her anger can lead her to curse her son, even if unintentionally leading to his suffering.
Her character is static, serving as the catalyst for her son's ordeal and miraculous intervention.
Pious, firm, and capable of powerful imprecations due to her strong faith.
Locations
The Chief Officer's Residence/Office
Likely a private residence or an administrative office within a larger complex, where the chief officer of police conducts his affairs and interrogations. It would feature typical Abbasid-era architecture with possibly a central courtyard, arched doorways, and geometric tilework.
Mood: Authoritative, tense, secretive, later remorseful
The officer plots the theft, receives the stolen money, interrogates the Haurani youth, and later releases him.
The Jew's House
A modest dwelling, likely a traditional house in an Arabian city, possibly with a central courtyard and rooms opening onto it. The floor would be paved with flagstones, under one of which the incriminating basket is buried.
Mood: Vulnerable, unsuspecting, later chaotic and fearful
The slave plants false evidence (a dead woman's hand) to frame the Jew for murder.
The Public Road
A thoroughfare in an Arabian city or its outskirts, likely unpaved and dusty, where people and goods would travel. It would be exposed to the elements.
Mood: Ordinary, then suddenly violent and unjust
The chief officer spots the Haurani youth and seizes him as a scapegoat.
The Burial Spot
An unmarked, nondescript patch of ground, likely outside the city or in a less frequented area, where the stolen dinars are buried. The ground would be dry earth, possibly with some sparse vegetation.
Mood: Secretive, later miraculous
The slave buries the money, and later, the Haurani youth miraculously leads them to unearth it.