STORY of the FISHERMAN'S SON
by Unknown · from The Arabian Nights Entertainments - Complete
Adapted Version
Once there was a kind young man. He lived by the sea. He caught a big fish. Father wanted to give it to King. The Kind Young Man felt sad. He put the fish back. He felt worried. He left his home.
He came to a new city. He worked there. One day, he saw a greedy man. The greedy man bought a special bird. He paid much money for the bird. He told his wife: Keep it safe.
The Kind Young Man wanted the bird. He went to the greedy man's wife. He asked for the bird. He gave her two birds. She gave him the bird. He killed the bird. He found a magic ring. The ring made wishes.
He rubbed the magic ring. He wished for fine clothes. Poof! He had fine clothes. He went to the King. He asked for the Princess's hand. He wanted to marry the Princess.
The King said, "Remove the big sand hill. Build a palace there." He agreed. He rubbed the magic ring. He wished for a palace. Poof! The sand hill was gone. A palace stood there. It was very fast.
The Kind Young Man married the Princess. He was very happy. The King said he would be next King. He was now a prince.
The Greedy Man came to the city. He saw the new palace. He knew it was the magic ring. He put on a disguise. He went to the palace. He swapped for the ring. The Princess gave him the ring. The Kind Young Man was asleep.
The Greedy Man rubbed the ring. He wished for the palace to move. Poof! The palace went to a far island. The Princess went too. The Kind Young Man was alone. He was on the sand hill.
The Kind Young Man was very sad. He left the city. He went to another land. He felt lost. He bought three animals: Dog, Cat, Rat. They were special animals.
The animals wanted to help him. They went to the far island. The Dog swam. The Cat and Rat rode on his back. They found the palace. The Greedy Man was asleep. The Rat took the magic ring.
They swam back. The Dog wanted to carry the ring. The Rat gave it to the Dog. The Dog dropped the ring. It fell into the sea.
The animals told him. The Kind Young Man was very sad. He lost hope. Then, the Big Fish came. It swam to the shore. The Big Fish had the magic ring. It gave the ring to him. The fish said, "You were kind."
The Kind Young Man rubbed the ring. He wished for the palace. Poof! It came back. The Princess was there. The Greedy Man was sent away. He could not hurt again. They lived happily. He became a good king. Always be kind.
Original Story
STORY OF THE FISHERMAN'S SON.
A fisherman's son having in company with his father caught a large fish, the latter proposed to present it to the sultan, in hopes of receiving a great reward. While he was gone home to fetch a basket, the son, moved by compassion, returned the fish into the water; but fearful of his father's anger, fled from his country, and repaired to a distant city, where he was entertained by a person as a servant. Strolling one day in the market, he saw a Jew purchase of a lad a cock at a very high price, and send it by his slave to his wife, with orders to keep it safely till his return home. The fisherman's son supposing that as the Jew gave so great a price for the cock it must possess some extraordinary property, resolved to obtain it; and, accordingly, having bought two large fowls, carried them to the Jew's wife, whom he informed that her husband had sent him for the cock, which he had exchanged for the fowls. She gave it him; and he having retired, killed the bird, in whose entrails he found a magical ring; which being rubbed by his touch, a voice proceeded from it demanding what were the commands of its possessor, which should be immediately executed by the genii who were servants of the ring. The fisherman's son was rejoiced at his good fortune, and while meditating what use he should make of his ring, passed by the sultan's palace, at the gates of which were suspended many human heads. He inquired the reason, and was informed that they were those of unfortunate princes, who having failed in performing the conditions on which the sultan's daughter was offered them in marriage, had been put to death. Hoping to be more fortunate than them by the aid of his ring, he resolved to demand the princess's hand. He rubbed the ring, when the voice asked his commands: upon which he required a rich dress, and it was instantly laid before him. He put it on, repaired to the palace, and being introduced to the sultan, demanded his daughter to wife. The sultan consented, on condition that his life should be forfeited unless he should remove a lofty and extensive mound of sand that lay on one side of the palace, which must be done before he could wed the princess. He accepted the condition; but demanded an interval of forty days to perform the task. This being agreed to, he took his leave, and having repaired to his lodging, rubbed his ring, commanded the genii to remove the mound, and erect on the space it covered a magnificent palace, and to furnish it suitably for a royal residence. In fifteen days the task was completed; he was wedded to the princess, and declared heir to the sultan. In the mean while, the Jew whom he had tricked of the cock and the magical ring resolved to travel in search of his lost prize, and at last arrived at the city, where he was informed of the wonderful removal of the mound, and the erection of the palace. He guessed that it must have been done by means of his ring, to recover which he planned the following stratagem. Having disguised himself as a merchant, he repaired to the palace, and cried for sale valuable jewels. The princess hearing him, sent an attendant to examine them and inquire their price, when the Jew asked in exchange only old rings. This being told to the princess, she recollected that her husband kept an old shabby looking ring in his writing stand, and he being asleep, she took it out, and sent it to the Jew; who, knowing it to be the one he had so long sought for, eagerly gave for it all the jewels in his basket. He retired with his prize, and having rubbed the ring, commanded the genii to convey the palace and all its inhabitants, excepting the fisherman's son, into a distant desert island, which was done instantly. The fisherman's son, on awaking in the morning, found himself lying on the mound of sand, which had reoccupied its old spot. He arose, and in alarm lest the sultan should put him to death in revenge for the loss of his daughter, fled to another kingdom as quickly as possible. Here he endured a disconsolate life, subsisting on the sale of some jewels, which he happened to have upon his dress at his flight. Wandering one day through a town, a man offered him for sale a dog, a cat, and a rat, which he purchased, and kept, diverting his melancholy with their tricks, and uncommon playfulness together. These seeming animals proved to be magicians; who, in return for his kindness, agreed to recover for their master his lost prize, and informed him of their intention. He eagerly thanked them, and they all set out in search of the palace, the ring, and the princess. At length they reached the shore of the ocean, after much travel, and descried the island on which it stood, when the dog swam over, carrying on his back the cat and the rat. Being landed, they proceeded to the palace; when the rat entered, and perceived the Jew asleep upon a sofa, with the ring laid before him, which he seized in his mouth, and then returned to his companions. They began to cross the sea, as before, but when about half over the dog expressed a wish to carry the ring in his mouth. The rat refused, lest he should drop it; but the dog threatened, unless he would give it him, to dive and drown them both in the sea. The rat, alarmed for his life, complied with his demand: but the dog missed his aim in snatching at the ring, which fell into the ocean. They landed, and informed the fisherman's son of his loss: upon which he, in despair, resolved to drown himself; when suddenly, as he was going to execute his purpose, a great fish appearing with the ring in his mouth, swam close to shore, and having dropped it within reach of the despairing youth, miraculously exclaimed, "I am the fish which you released from captivity, and thus reward you for your generosity." The fisherman's son, overjoyed, returned to his father-in-law's capital, and at night rubbing the ring, commanded the genii to convey the palace to its old site. This being done in an instant, he entered the palace, and seized the Jew, whom he commanded to be cast alive into a burning pile, in which he was consumed. From this period he lived happily with his princess, and on the death of the sultan succeeded to his dominions.
Story DNA
Moral
Kindness and compassion, even to the smallest creatures, will be repaid in unexpected ways, and good deeds ultimately triumph over treachery.
Plot Summary
A fisherman's son, after releasing a fish, flees his home and later acquires a magical ring by tricking a Jew. He uses the ring to marry a princess and build a magnificent palace, becoming heir to the sultan. The vengeful Jew steals the ring back, banishing the palace and princess to a desert island. Despairing, the son buys magical animals who help him retrieve the ring, which is ultimately returned by the grateful fish he once saved. The son restores his palace, punishes the Jew, and lives happily ever after as the future sultan.
Themes
Emotional Arc
innocence to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects common themes and structures found in 'One Thousand and One Nights' (Arabian Nights) tales, often featuring magical objects, genii, and moral lessons.
Plot Beats (13)
- A fisherman's son releases a large fish his father intended for the sultan, then flees his home out of fear.
- In a new city, the son works as a servant and observes a Jew buying a cock for a high price.
- The son tricks the Jew's wife into giving him the cock, finds a magical ring inside, and discovers it grants wishes.
- Using the ring, the son acquires a rich dress and demands the princess's hand in marriage from the sultan.
- The sultan agrees, provided the son removes a massive sand mound and builds a palace in 40 days; the son uses the ring to complete it in 15 days.
- The son marries the princess and is declared heir to the sultan.
- The Jew, realizing the son used his lost ring, disguises himself as a merchant and trades jewels for the princess's 'old' ring (the magical one) while the son sleeps.
- The Jew uses the ring to transport the palace and princess to a desert island, leaving the son alone on the original sand mound.
- The son flees to another kingdom, living in despair, until he buys a magical dog, cat, and rat.
- The animals agree to help him, travel to the island, and the rat retrieves the ring from the sleeping Jew.
- While crossing the sea, the dog demands to carry the ring, but drops it into the ocean.
- The son, in despair and contemplating suicide, is approached by the very fish he saved, which returns the ring to him.
- The son uses the ring to bring the palace and princess back, executes the Jew, and lives happily, eventually succeeding the sultan.
Characters
The Fisherman's Son
Of average height and build, with the sun-kissed, weathered skin typical of someone who spends much time by the sea, suggesting a humble background. His features are earnest and kind.
Attire: Initially, simple, coarse linen tunic and trousers, possibly in muted earth tones, indicative of a fisherman's life. Later, when he seeks the princess's hand, he wears a 'rich dress' provided by the ring, likely a flowing silk caftan or robe in deep jewel tones, embroidered with gold thread, and a matching turban, reflecting the opulence of a sultan's court in the Middle East.
Wants: Initially driven by compassion (releasing the fish), then by a desire for a better life and love (marrying the princess), and finally by a need to restore what was lost and protect his loved ones.
Flaw: Naivety and trust, particularly in leaving the magical ring unattended, leading to its theft.
Transforms from a humble, fearful fisherman's son into a resourceful, powerful prince and eventually a wise sultan, learning the value of his own kindness and the dangers of complacency.
Compassionate, resourceful, brave, somewhat naive, grateful.
The Jew
A man of slender build, with sharp, calculating features. His movements are often described as cunning or stealthy.
Attire: Initially, practical merchant attire, perhaps a dark, simple tunic and trousers. When disguised, he wears the rich, colorful robes of a traveling jewel merchant, likely a brocaded caftan over a linen shirt, with a turban wrapped intricately, possibly adorned with a small jewel, to appear prosperous and trustworthy.
Wants: Driven by greed and a desire to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his (the magical ring).
Flaw: His overwhelming greed and vengefulness ultimately lead to his downfall.
Remains consistently greedy and cunning, ultimately meeting a fiery end due to his villainy.
Greedy, cunning, vengeful, persistent, deceptive.
The Sultan's Daughter / The Princess
Described as a beautiful princess, implying grace and elegance. She would have delicate features and a slender build, reflecting her sheltered royal upbringing.
Attire: Exquisite and luxurious, befitting a sultan's daughter. She would wear flowing silk robes, perhaps a richly embroidered caftan or a two-piece ensemble of a long tunic and wide trousers (shalwar), made from fine fabrics like silk or brocade in vibrant colors, adorned with gold embroidery and precious stones. Her head might be covered with a delicate veil or a jeweled headpiece.
Wants: To fulfill her father's wishes, to find a suitable husband, and to live a happy life.
Flaw: Her naivety and trusting nature, which allows her to be tricked by the Jew.
Initially a prize to be won, she becomes a loving wife and an unwitting pawn in the Jew's scheme, eventually reunited with her husband.
Trusting, somewhat naive, obedient to her father, but capable of affection.
The Sultan
A powerful and imposing figure, likely of a mature age, with a commanding presence. He would be well-built, reflecting his authority.
Attire: Magnificent royal robes, such as a heavy brocaded caftan in rich colors like deep purple or gold, adorned with intricate embroidery and precious jewels. He would wear a large, jeweled turban, signifying his supreme authority.
Wants: To secure a worthy husband for his daughter and ensure the continuation of his lineage and kingdom.
Flaw: His harsh conditions for his daughter's hand and his quickness to condemn those who fail.
Initially a stern ruler, he becomes a father-in-law and eventually passes his dominion to the Fisherman's Son, implying a trust and acceptance of his successor.
Authoritative, strict, protective of his daughter, prone to harsh judgments, but ultimately fair when proven wrong.
The Magical Ring
An old, shabby-looking ring, suggesting it's not outwardly impressive, perhaps made of tarnished brass or dull silver, with no obvious gems or intricate carvings.
Wants: To fulfill the commands of its possessor through the genii.
Flaw: Can be stolen or lost, and its power can be used for good or ill.
Changes hands multiple times, serving different masters, but ultimately returns to the Fisherman's Son.
Powerful, obedient, neutral (serves whoever possesses it).
The Fish
A large, impressive fish, likely with shimmering scales and powerful fins, capable of carrying a ring in its mouth.
Wants: To repay the kindness shown by the Fisherman's Son.
Flaw: N/A
Appears at the beginning as a creature in need, and at the end as a magical benefactor, fulfilling its promise of reward.
Grateful, benevolent, wise (implied by its speech).
The Dog
A sturdy, loyal-looking dog, perhaps a breed known for its swimming ability and strength, with a thick coat.
Wants: To help its master recover his lost prize, driven by loyalty.
Flaw: Overconfidence and a desire to be the one to carry the ring, leading to its loss.
Acts as a loyal companion and helper, but makes a critical mistake that leads to the temporary loss of the ring.
Loyal, brave, determined, but also somewhat overconfident and prone to jealousy (wanting to carry the ring).
The Cat
A sleek and agile cat, with keen senses and quiet movements, well-suited for stealth.
Wants: To help its master recover his lost prize, driven by gratitude.
Flaw: N/A (no specific weakness shown in the story).
Acts as a loyal companion and helper throughout the quest.
Resourceful, agile, observant, a good companion.
The Rat
A small, nimble rat, capable of squeezing into tight spaces and carrying objects in its mouth.
Wants: To help its master recover his lost prize, driven by gratitude.
Flaw: Its fear, which causes it to give the ring to the dog.
Plays a crucial role in retrieving the ring, but then contributes to its temporary loss due to fear.
Clever, cautious, resourceful, but also fearful (of the dog's threat).
Locations
Sultan's Palace Gates
The grand entrance to the Sultan's palace, where a grim display of human heads is suspended, serving as a warning to those who fail the Sultan's challenge. The architecture would be in the style of an Abbasid-era Arabian palace, featuring imposing stone arches, possibly with geometric tilework and heavy wooden doors.
Mood: Foreboding, intimidating, yet also a place of opportunity and challenge.
The fisherman's son learns about the princess's challenge and resolves to attempt it.
The Mound of Sand
A vast, towering mound of golden sand, stretching extensively on one side of the Sultan's palace. It is a significant natural obstacle that must be removed for the fisherman's son to marry the princess.
Mood: Challenging, desolate, immense.
The fisherman's son accepts the challenge to remove this mound.
The Magical Palace (Desert Island)
A magnificent palace, conjured by the genii, initially on the site of the removed sand mound, then transported to a distant, desolate desert island. It is sumptuously furnished for a royal residence, reflecting Arabian luxury with muqarnas vaults, riad courtyards, and rich textiles.
Mood: Luxurious, isolated, later a place of capture and longing.
The princess is tricked into giving away the ring, and the palace is transported to a desert island.
Distant Desert Island Shore
The remote coastline of a desolate desert island, where the magical palace has been transported. The shore is likely sandy, meeting the vast expanse of the ocean.
Mood: Remote, isolated, a place of reunion and recovery.
The animal companions reach the island and prepare to retrieve the ring.