THE FIFTEENTH OFFICER'S STORY
by Unknown · from Tales from the Arabic — Volume 02
Adapted Version
Once, in a big forest, there was a bad fox. This fox liked to take food from others. He would hide in the trees and wait. He was not a nice fox.
One sunny day, a kind rabbit walked down the path. The rabbit had a big bag of carrots. He was happy. The bad fox saw him. The fox jumped out from behind a tree.
"Give me all your carrots!" said the fox. He spoke in a loud, bossy voice.
The rabbit was very scared. "Please share," he said softly. "You can take some carrots. Please let me keep some carrots too."
"No!" said the fox. "I want all of them! All the carrots are mine!"
The fox grabbed the bag. He took all the carrots. Just then, a bird flew high above them. The rabbit looked up.
"Bird, see this!" said the rabbit. "The fox takes all my carrots. I asked him to share. Please remember this."
The fox did not listen to the rabbit. He did not look at the bird. He ran away fast with all the carrots.
Later, the forest ranger found the fox. The ranger caught him. The fox said he was sorry. The ranger was kind. "You can be good now," he said. "You must learn."
One day, there was a big forest party. All the animals were there. The fox saw a picture of a bird on a tree. He laughed a loud laugh.
"Why do you laugh?" asked the ranger.
"I remember," said the fox. "A long time ago, I took carrots from a rabbit. A bird saw it happen. The rabbit asked the bird to remember."
The ranger was not happy. His face was serious. "You must return the carrots," he said. "You must say sorry to the rabbit. You must make it right."
A wise owl sat on a high branch. He looked down. "Listen," said the owl. His voice was calm. "Stealing is bad. Taking things is wrong. Telling the truth is good. Being honest is right."
All the animals listened to the owl. They listened to the ranger. They all agreed. They would be honest. They would be kind. They would share. The forest was a better place.
Original Story
THE FIFTEENTH OFFICER'S STORY.
'It is told of a certain doughty thief, that he used to rob and stop the way by himself upon caravans, and whenever the prefect of police and the magistrates sought him, he would flee from them and fortify himself in the mountains. Now it befell that a certain man journeyed along the road wherein was the robber in question, and this man was alone and knew not the perils that beset his way. So the highwayman came out upon him and said to him, "Bring out that which is with thee, for I mean to slay thee without fail." Quoth the traveller, "Slay me not, but take these saddle-bags and divide [that which is in] them and take the fourth part [thereof]." And the thief answered, "I will not take aught but the whole." "Take half," rejoined the traveller, "and let me go." But the robber replied, "I will take nought but the whole, and I will slay thee [to boot]." And the traveller said, "Take it."
So the highwayman took the saddle-bags and offered to kill the traveller, who said, "What is this? Thou hast no blood-feud against me, that should make my slaughter incumbent [on thee]. Quoth the other, "Needs must I slay thee;" whereupon the traveller dismounted from his horse and grovelled on the earth, beseeching the robber and speaking him fair. The latter hearkened not to his prayers, but cast him to the ground; whereupon the traveller [raised his eyes and seeing a francolin flying over him,] said, in his agony," O francolin, bear witness that this man slayeth me unjustly and wickedly; for indeed I have given him all that was with me and besought him to let me go, for my children's sake; yet would he not consent unto this. But be thou witness against him, for God is not unmindful of that which is done of the oppressors." The highwayman paid no heed to this speech, but smote him and cut off his head.
After this, the authorities compounded with the highwayman for his submission, and when he came before them, they enriched him and he became in such favour with the Sultan's deputy that he used to eat and drink with him and there befell familiar converse between them. On this wise they abode a great while, till, one day, the Sultan's deputy made a banquet, and therein, for a wonder, was a roasted francolin, which when the robber saw, he laughed aloud. The deputy was angered against him and said to him, "What is the meaning of thy laughter? Seest thou default [in the entertainment] or dost thou mock at us, of thy lack of breeding?" "Not so, by Allah, O my lord," answered the highwayman. "But I saw yonder francolin and bethought myself thereanent of an extraordinary thing; and it was on this wise. In the days of my youth, I used to stop the way, and one day I fell in with a man, who had with him a pair of saddle-bags and money therein. So I said to him, 'Leave these bags, for I mean to kill thee.' Quoth he, 'Take the fourth part of [that which is in] them and leave [me] the rest.' And I said, 'Needs must I take the whole and slay thee, to boot.' Then said he, 'Take the saddle-bags and let me go my way.' But I answered, 'Needs must I slay thee.' As we were in this contention, he and I, behold, he saw a francolin and turning to it, said, 'Bear witness against him, O francolin, that he slayeth me unjustly and letteth me not go to my children, for all he hath gotten my money.' However, I took no pity on him neither hearkened to that which he said, but slew him and concerned not myself with the francolin's testimony."
His story troubled the Sultan's deputy and he was sore enraged against him; so he drew his sword and smiting him, cut off his head; whereupon one recited the following verses:
An you'd of evil be quit, look that no evil yon do; Nay, but do
good, for the like God will still render to you.
All things, indeed, that betide to you are fore-ordered of God;
Yet still in your deeds is the source to which their
fulfilment is due.
Now this[FN#155] was the francolin that bore witness against him.'
The company marvelled at this story and said all, 'Woe to the oppressor!' Then came forward the sixteenth officer and said, 'And I also will tell you a marvellous story, and it is on this wise.
Story DNA
Moral
Those who commit evil deeds will eventually face retribution, for justice, even if delayed, will ultimately prevail.
Plot Summary
A notorious highwayman robs and brutally murders a lone traveler, ignoring the victim's plea for mercy and his call for a francolin to witness the injustice. Years later, the highwayman, now a favored companion of the Sultan's deputy, sees a roasted francolin at a banquet. He laughs and recounts the tale of the murder, unwittingly confessing his crime. Enraged by the story and the blatant injustice, the Sultan's deputy immediately executes the highwayman, fulfilling the francolin's silent testimony and delivering swift retribution for his past evil deed.
Themes
Emotional Arc
arrogance to sudden downfall
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is part of 'The Arabian Nights' (One Thousand and One Nights), a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. The framing device of officers telling stories is characteristic of this collection. The themes of divine justice and retribution are common in Islamic folklore.
Plot Beats (11)
- A notorious highwayman robs and kills travelers, eluding capture by retreating to the mountains.
- He encounters a lone traveler and demands all his possessions and his life.
- The traveler tries to negotiate, offering portions of his wealth, but the robber insists on taking everything and killing him.
- As the robber prepares to kill him, the traveler appeals to a francolin flying overhead to bear witness to the unjust murder.
- The highwayman disregards the francolin's testimony and brutally decapitates the traveler.
- Years later, the highwayman submits to the authorities, is pardoned, and becomes a trusted companion of the Sultan's deputy.
- At a banquet, the highwayman sees a roasted francolin and laughs aloud, angering the deputy.
- The highwayman explains his laughter by recounting the story of the traveler he murdered, including the francolin's plea for witness.
- The Sultan's deputy, enraged by the confession and the injustice, immediately draws his sword and beheads the highwayman.
- A poet recites verses about karma and divine justice, confirming that the francolin bore witness.
- The assembled company marvels at the story and condemns the oppressor.
Characters
The Doughty Thief
Muscular and agile, with a lean build suggesting a life of physical exertion and mountain dwelling. His features are sharp, perhaps weathered from exposure, giving him a formidable appearance.
Attire: Practical, sturdy clothing suitable for a highwayman in a desert or mountainous region, likely consisting of dark, coarse woven fabrics. Perhaps a simple tunic, loose trousers, and sturdy leather boots. He might wear a simple head covering like a turban or keffiyeh to protect from sun and dust, but nothing ostentatious.
Wants: To acquire wealth through robbery and maintain his reputation as a formidable highwayman. Later, to enjoy a life of luxury and power through his 'submission' to authority.
Flaw: His arrogance and lack of remorse. He believes himself above divine justice and openly boasts of his crimes, leading to his downfall.
Begins as a feared highwayman, then 'submits' to authority and rises to favor with the Sultan's deputy, enjoying a life of luxury. His arc culminates in his execution due to his past crimes being revealed by his own boast.
Ruthless, greedy, unyielding, arrogant, and ultimately overconfident. He shows no mercy and is driven by self-interest.
The Traveller
An average-built man, perhaps a merchant or a well-to-do individual, not accustomed to physical confrontation. His features are likely softer than the highwayman's, showing signs of a comfortable life.
Attire: Practical but good quality traveling clothes, perhaps a simple thobe or tunic made of finer linen or cotton, with a cloak for protection against the elements. He might wear soft leather sandals or boots. His attire suggests he is not a peasant but also not royalty.
Wants: To survive the encounter with the highwayman and return to his children.
Flaw: His physical vulnerability and inability to defend himself against the highwayman.
His journey is tragically cut short by the highwayman. He serves as the catalyst for the highwayman's eventual downfall.
Pleading, desperate, fearful, and family-oriented (concerned for his children). He is pragmatic in trying to negotiate for his life.
The Francolin
A medium-sized game bird, typical of the Middle East, with mottled brown, black, and white plumage. It has a robust body, short tail, and strong legs. Its feathers are patterned for camouflage.
Attire: Its natural plumage, which is its 'clothing'.
Wants: To fly and live its natural life.
Flaw: None relevant to the story, as it is a passive observer.
Remains unchanged, but its presence is crucial to the story's climax, as a roasted francolin triggers the highwayman's confession.
Unknowing, innocent, and serves as a silent, unwitting witness to a crime.
The Sultan's Deputy
A man of authority, likely well-fed and of a dignified bearing. His build suggests a life of comfort rather than physical labor, but with an underlying strength of character.
Attire: Rich, flowing robes befitting his high status, likely made of fine silk or brocade in deep, regal colors like crimson, sapphire, or emerald. He would wear a jeweled turban or a distinguished head covering, and possibly a sash or belt with an ornate buckle. His attire is a clear indicator of his power and wealth.
Wants: To maintain order and justice, and to enjoy the company of those he favors. Later, to punish a grave injustice.
Flaw: Initially, his trust in the highwayman, allowing him into his inner circle.
Begins by favoring the highwayman after his submission, but upon hearing the confession, he swiftly delivers justice, demonstrating his commitment to righteousness.
Authoritative, initially trusting, but ultimately just and decisive. He is angered by disrespect and deeply disturbed by injustice.
Locations
Mountain Road
A perilous, solitary road winding through mountains, likely unpaved and dusty, with sparse vegetation typical of a rugged, arid or semi-arid region. The air would be dry and possibly hot, with distant peaks visible.
Mood: Dangerous, isolated, tense, desolate
The highwayman confronts and murders the traveler, who calls upon a francolin to witness the injustice.
Sultan's Deputy's Palace Dining Hall
A lavish dining hall within an Abbasid-era palace, featuring intricate geometric tile mosaics on the walls, possibly muqarnas vaults on the ceiling, and rich textiles. Low, comfortable seating arrangements would be around a central dining area where food is served. The air would be warm and filled with the aroma of spices and cooked meats.
Mood: Opulent, convivial, then suddenly tense and enraged
The highwayman, now favored by the deputy, laughs upon seeing a roasted francolin, prompting him to confess his past crime, leading to his execution.