THE FIFTH OFFICER'S STORY
by Unknown · from Tales from the Arabic — Volume 02
Adapted Version
I want to tell you a story.
I made a big mistake.
One day, a woman came to me. She said, "My husband has a secret party. People are doing bad things there." She looked worried.
I did not want a big problem. I thought I should check alone. So I sent her away. But I went to the party by myself.
I found the party. The woman was there too. The people were nice to me. They smiled. They gave me food. They were very kind.
I told them, "I knew about your party. But I came alone to help you. I did not bring other officers."
They thanked me. They were happy. They gave me some money. It was a lot of money. I took the money and I left.
Later, I had to go to court. The judge called me. He looked serious.
One man said, "He must pay me!" The woman helped him. They said the money was not a gift. They said it was a loan.
I said, "No, it was a gift!" But they had a fake paper. They told lies in court. The judge listened to them.
I said, "I was nice to you!" But I had to pay the money. I gave back the money. I was very sad. I felt tricked.
I learned to be careful. Do not trust strangers too easily. I learned to be careful. Remember my lesson.
And now, I am more careful about who I trust. I think before I help. Remember my lesson.
Original Story
THE FIFTH OFFICER'S STORY.
As I sat one day at the door of the prefecture, a woman entered and said to me privily, "O my lord, I am the wife of such an one the physician, and with him is a company of the notables[FN#114] of the city, drinking wine in such a place." When I heard this, I misliked to make a scandal; so I rebuffed her and sent her away. Then I arose and went alone to the place in question and sat without till the door opened, when I rushed in and entering, found the company engaged as the woman had set out, and she herself with them. I saluted them and they returned my greeting and rising, entreated me with honour and seated me and brought me to eat. Then I informed them how one had denounced them to me, but I had driven him[FN#115] away and come to them by myself; wherefore they thanked me and praised me for my goodness. Then they brought out to me from among them two thousand dirhems[FN#116] and I took them and went away.
Two months after this occurrence, there came to me one of the Cadi's officers, with a scroll, wherein was the magistrate's writ, summoning me to him. So I accompanied the officer and went in to the Cadi, whereupon the plaintiff, to wit, he who had taken out the summons, sued me for two thousand dirhems, avouching that I had borrowed them of him as the woman's agent.[FN#117] I denied the debt, but he produced against me a bond for the amount, attested by four of those who were in company [on the occasion]; and they were present and bore witness to the loan. So I reminded them of my kindness and paid the amount, swearing that I would never again follow a woman's counsel. Is not this marvellous?'
The company marvelled at the goodliness of his story and it pleased El Melik ez Zahir; and the prefect said, 'By Allah, this story is extraordinary!' Then came forward the sixth officer and said to the company, 'Hear my story and that which befell me, to wit, that which befell such an one the assessor, for it is rarer than this and stranger.
Story DNA
Moral
Do not blindly trust strangers, especially when they involve you in illicit activities.
Plot Summary
The fifth officer recounts how a woman informed him of her husband's illicit wine party. Instead of making a scandal, he visited the party alone, earning the guests' gratitude and two thousand dirhems. Two months later, he was sued by one of the party members, who claimed the money was a loan, presenting a forged bond and false testimonies. Despite his kindness, the officer was forced to pay the sum, vowing never to trust a woman's counsel again, much to the marvel of his companions.
Themes
Emotional Arc
confidence to regret
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects a societal structure with clear legal and administrative roles (prefect, Cadi) and a cultural emphasis on reputation and social standing, as well as the potential for corruption or manipulation within such systems.
Plot Beats (11)
- A woman approaches the fifth officer, informing him of her physician husband's illicit wine-drinking party with city notables.
- The officer, wishing to avoid scandal, rebuffs the woman but decides to investigate alone.
- He finds the party, including the woman, and is welcomed and honored by the guests.
- The officer reveals he knew of their activities but chose to come alone to spare them trouble, earning their thanks.
- The party guests give him two thousand dirhems, which he accepts and leaves.
- Two months later, the officer is summoned by the Cadi.
- The man who gave him the dirhems sues him, claiming the money was a loan, with the woman as his agent.
- The officer denies the debt, but the plaintiff produces a bond attested by four of the party members, who also testify against him.
- The officer reminds them of his past kindness but is forced to pay the two thousand dirhems.
- He swears he will never again follow a woman's counsel.
- The company marvels at his story, and the sixth officer steps forward to tell an even stranger tale.
Characters
The Fifth Officer
A man of average height and build, likely with features common to the Arabian Peninsula, reflecting the story's origin. His posture is likely upright and authoritative due to his profession, but perhaps a bit less rigid after his humbling experience.
Attire: As an officer of the prefecture, he would wear practical yet respectable attire, likely a thobe or similar long tunic, possibly with a vest or outer garment, made of sturdy but good quality fabric in muted colors. He might wear a simple head covering like a keffiyeh or a small turban.
Wants: Initially, to uphold the law while also demonstrating personal leniency and earning respect. Later, his motivation shifts to avoiding similar pitfalls and exercising greater discernment.
Flaw: Naivety and overconfidence in his own judgment, particularly regarding the woman's intentions and the 'notables'' gratitude. He is easily manipulated by a clever scheme.
He begins as a confident officer who believes he is acting benevolently, only to be tricked and humiliated. He learns a valuable lesson about trust and the deceptive nature of appearances, vowing never to follow a woman's counsel again.
Initially naive, trusting, and somewhat arrogant in his own 'goodness'. He is also observant, quick-thinking (in his initial response to the woman), and ultimately honorable (paying the debt). He learns humility and caution.
The Woman
Her physical description is not given, but she is cunning and manipulative. She would likely appear respectable and perhaps even distressed to gain the officer's sympathy. She is the wife of a physician, suggesting a certain social standing.
Attire: As the wife of a physician, she would wear modest but well-maintained clothing, perhaps a dark abaya or a long, flowing dress with a head covering, made of decent quality fabric, to project an image of respectability and distress.
Wants: To extort money from the Fifth Officer, likely through a pre-meditated scheme involving the 'notables'. Her exact motivation for the money is not stated, but it is clearly financial gain.
Flaw: Her deceitful nature, which, once revealed, would make her untrustworthy.
She appears at the beginning as a seemingly distressed informant and is revealed at the end as the mastermind of a clever extortion plot. She does not change, but her true nature is revealed.
Cunning, manipulative, deceptive, and resourceful. She is a master of disguise and plays a long game to achieve her goal.
The Notables
A group of four men, likely of varying builds and heights, but all appearing well-fed and prosperous, consistent with their status as 'notables' of the city. They would have features common to men of the Arabian Peninsula.
Attire: As 'notables,' they would wear fine, flowing thobes or similar garments made of good quality linen or cotton, possibly with embroidered details. They would likely wear turbans or keffiyehs, indicating their status. Colors would be rich but not overly ostentatious.
Wants: To participate in the scheme, likely for a share of the money or to maintain favor with the manipulative woman. Their primary motivation appears to be self-interest.
Flaw: Their lack of integrity and willingness to engage in deceit.
They remain static characters, serving as instruments of the woman's deception and the Fifth Officer's downfall.
Deceptive, opportunistic, and disloyal. They are willing to betray someone who showed them kindness for personal gain or to support the woman's scheme.
The Cadi
A man of advanced age, likely with a dignified bearing and a presence that commands respect, consistent with his role as a magistrate. He would have features common to men of the Arabian Peninsula, perhaps with a wise or stern expression.
Attire: As a Cadi (judge), he would wear formal and dignified attire, likely a richly embroidered thobe or a long, flowing robe made of fine silk or wool in a deep, authoritative color like maroon or dark blue. He would wear a large, elaborate turban, possibly adorned with a jewel, signifying his high office.
Wants: To administer justice according to the law, based on the evidence presented.
Flaw: Bound by the evidence presented, even if it is false, making him susceptible to manipulation by cunning individuals.
He remains a static character, serving as the embodiment of the legal system through which the Fifth Officer is wronged.
Impartial (as a judge should be), observant, and focused on legal procedure. He presides over the case without personal bias, relying on evidence.
Locations
The Prefecture Door
The entrance to the prefect's office, likely a public-facing area where people could approach the prefect. Given the Abbasid-era setting, it would likely be a sturdy wooden door set into a stone or mud-brick wall, possibly with some simple geometric carvings or a heavy knocker.
Mood: Public, administrative, initially calm but quickly becomes a place of intrigue.
The prefect is approached by a woman who denounces a gathering, setting the story in motion.
The Physician's House (Drinking Place)
A private residence, likely a traditional Abbasid-era house with a central courtyard. The specific room where the drinking takes place would be furnished with cushions and low tables, possibly with intricate rugs on the floor. The atmosphere is one of revelry and social gathering.
Mood: Festive, convivial, later becomes a place of betrayal.
The prefect finds the group drinking wine, is honored, and is given money, only to be betrayed later.
The Cadi's Courtroom
A formal judicial setting within the Cadi's (judge's) office or residence. This would be a more austere room than the physician's house, with a designated space for the Cadi, and areas for the plaintiff, defendant, and witnesses. Likely features stone or plastered walls, possibly with a raised platform for the Cadi.
Mood: Formal, tense, accusatory, legal.
The prefect is summoned and sued for the money, facing false accusations and a bond.