THE POOR MAN AND HIS FRIEND IN NEED
by Unknown
Adapted Version
Once, there was a man named Ahmed. He was a jeweler. He had much money. But then, he lost it all. Ahmed was sad. His wife, Layla, was kind. She said, "Ask a friend." Ahmed liked it. He needed help now.
Ahmed went to see his friend Omar. Ahmed told Omar his problem. Omar was a good friend. He gave Ahmed some money. It was 500 pieces of money. Omar said, "Start a business." Ahmed felt happy.
Ahmed was a jeweler. He liked to make pretty things. He took the money from Omar. He opened a small jewelry shop. He wanted to buy and sell jewels.
One day, three men came to his shop. They were The Three Helpers. They asked about Ahmed's father. Ahmed said, "My father died." They asked about him. The people said, "He is his son."
The three men gave Ahmed two big bags. The bags were heavy. They had much money inside. They also had many jewels. There was also shiny gold. The men said, "This is from your father. He left it for you." Ahmed was surprised.
Soon, a woman came to the shop. She was Omar's Mother. She wanted to buy some jewels. She liked a pretty necklace. The necklace cost some money. She gave Ahmed much more money. Ahmed was very happy.
Ahmed now had much money. He took 500 pieces of money. He went to Omar's house. He wanted to pay Omar back. Ahmed felt very happy. He thanked Omar for his help.
Omar did not take the money. He smiled at Ahmed. Omar said, "I helped you." He gave Ahmed one. He said, "Read this at home." Ahmed took it.
Ahmed went home. He opened the letter. The words inside told a secret. Omar planned everything. He wanted to help Ahmed. Omar was a very kind friend.
Omar's family helped him. His father and uncles were The Three Helpers. Omar's mother was the woman. They all helped Ahmed. They helped him get his money. They helped him feel good again. This was a secret plan.
Ahmed was very happy. He had his money back. He had a very kind friend. Omar was a very good friend. He helped Ahmed in a kind way. He did not want Ahmed to feel sad. True friends help in secret, with love. This is true friendship.
Original Story
THE POOR MAN AND HIS FRIEND IN NEED.
There was once a rich man who lost all he had and became destitute, whereupon his wife advised him to ask aid and assistance of one of his intimates. So he betook himself to a certain friend of his and acquainted him with his necessities; and he lent him five hundred dinars to trade withal. Now in early life he had been a jeweller; so he took the gold and went to the jewel-bazar, where he opened a shop to buy and sell. Presently, as he sat in his shop three men accosted him and asked for his father, and when he told them that he was deceased, they said, “Say, did he leave issue?” Quoth the jeweller, “He left the slave who is before you.” They asked, “And who knoweth thee for his son?”; and 289he answered, “The people of the bazar,” whereupon they said, “Call them together, that they may testify to us that thou art his very son.” So he called them and they bore witness of this; whereupon the three men delivered to him a pair of saddle-bags, containing thirty thousand dinars, besides jewels and bullion of high value, saying, “This was deposited with us in trust by thy father.” Then they went away; and presently there came to him a woman, who sought of him certain of the jewels, worth five hundred dinars which she bought and paid him three thousand for them. Upon this he arose and took five hundred dinars and carrying them to his friend who had lent him the money, said to him, “Take the five hundred dinars I borrowed of thee; for Allah hath opened to me the gate of prosperity.” Quoth the other, “Nay; I gave them to thee outright, for the love of Allah; so do thou keep them. And take this paper, but read it not till thou be at home, and do according to that which is therein.” So he took the money and the paper and returned home, where he opened the scroll and found therein inscribed these couplets:—
Kinsmen of mine were those three men who came to thee; ✿ My sire and uncles twain and Sálih bin Ali
So what for cash thou soldest, to my mother ‘twas ✿ Thou soldest it, and coin and gems were sent by me.
Thus doing I desired not any harm to thee ✿ But in my presence spare thee and thy modesty.
And they also recount the story of
Moral of the Story
True friendship involves helping others in their time of need, often with discretion and without expecting repayment.
Characters
The Poor Man (Jeweller) ★ protagonist
Of average height and build, his face initially shows the strain of poverty, with perhaps a gauntness to his cheeks and a weariness in his eyes. As his fortune improves, a healthy glow returns to his complexion.
Attire: Initially, he wears simple, well-worn, but clean cotton garments: a faded, light-colored thobe, perhaps a simple head covering (kufi or small turban) of a muted color, and worn leather sandals. After his fortune changes, he would wear a finer, perhaps silk-blend thobe in a richer color like deep blue or green, with a more elaborate turban, indicating his renewed prosperity as a jeweller.
Wants: To provide for himself and his wife, to regain his lost prosperity, and to repay his debts.
Flaw: His initial pride or reluctance to ask for help, though he overcomes it. Perhaps a tendency to be overly trusting, though in this case, it works in his favor.
He transforms from a desperate, impoverished man to a prosperous and grateful individual, learning the value of true friendship and the blessings of Allah.
Humble, industrious, honest, grateful, resilient.
The Rich Man (Friend in Need) ◆ supporting
A man of substantial build, well-fed and healthy, reflecting his wealth and comfortable life. His demeanor is calm and benevolent.
Attire: He wears a luxurious, flowing silk thobe in a rich color like emerald green or deep burgundy, possibly with subtle gold embroidery at the cuffs or collar. A finely woven turban, perhaps with a jewel or intricate pattern, adorns his head. He might wear soft leather slippers.
Wants: To help his friend in a way that preserves his friend's dignity and allows him to rebuild his life independently.
Flaw: None explicitly shown; his actions are entirely benevolent.
He acts as a catalyst for the protagonist's change, demonstrating true friendship and generosity without seeking recognition.
Generous, compassionate, wise, discreet, loyal.
The Wife ○ minor
Likely appears somewhat frail or worn from their poverty, but with an underlying strength of character. Her features would reflect her Middle Eastern heritage.
Attire: Simple, modest, and well-worn cotton garments, such as a plain, long-sleeved dress (abaya or similar) in a dark or muted color, and a simple headscarf. Her clothing would be clean but show signs of mending.
Wants: To ensure the survival and well-being of her husband and herself.
Flaw: Her vulnerability due to their destitution.
She remains a steadfast support for her husband, her role is primarily to initiate the plot's resolution.
Practical, supportive, resourceful, loyal.
The Three Kinsmen ◆ supporting
Three distinguished Middle Eastern men, likely of varying ages, but all carrying themselves with an air of respectability and quiet authority. They appear well-dressed and prosperous.
Attire: They wear fine, but not ostentatious, thobes or similar traditional garments in muted, rich colors like deep brown, olive green, or charcoal grey, made of quality wool or linen. Each would wear a respectable turban or head covering, perhaps in white or a color matching their thobe, indicating their status as trusted individuals.
Wants: To fulfill their duty to the deceased father and deliver the entrusted inheritance to his rightful heir.
Flaw: None shown; they are purely agents of the plot.
They serve as instruments of the plot, revealing the protagonist's true inheritance and setting him on the path to recovery.
Trustworthy, dutiful, discreet, honorable.
The Woman (Rich Man's Mother) ○ minor
A woman of refined appearance, likely veiled or modestly dressed, reflecting her status and the cultural context. Her movements would be graceful and composed.
Attire: She wears a fine, modest abaya or similar outer garment in a rich, dark fabric like silk, possibly with subtle embroidery. Her head is covered by an elegant veil (hijab or niqab, depending on cultural interpretation) that frames her face gracefully. She might wear delicate, simple jewelry.
Wants: To participate in her son's plan to discreetly help the poor man, ensuring his dignity.
Flaw: None shown; she is an agent of the plot.
She serves as an instrument in the rich man's plan, enabling the poor man's first profitable transaction.
Discreet, compassionate, supportive (of her son's plan).
Locations
The Friend's House
Likely a private residence, perhaps a modest but comfortable dwelling of a man of means, where the poor man sought aid.
Mood: Initially hopeful and supportive, later revealing a deeper, generous intent.
The poor man borrows money, and later returns it, only to discover his friend's true generosity and involvement in his sudden fortune.
Jewel-Bazar (Souk al-Jawāhir)
A bustling marketplace specifically for jewels, likely a covered or semi-covered souk with many small shops, stalls, and merchants. The air would be filled with the sounds of commerce and the glint of precious stones.
Mood: Busy, vibrant, full of opportunity and unexpected encounters.
The poor man (now a jeweller) opens his shop, receives his inheritance from the three men, and makes his first significant sale to the woman.
The Poor Man's Home
The poor man's private residence, where he returns after his day at the bazar and where he reads the revealing couplets from his friend.
Mood: Initially one of relief and anticipation, then surprise and gratitude.
The poor man discovers the full extent of his friend's kindness and the orchestrated nature of his sudden fortune.
Story DNA
Moral
True friendship involves helping others in their time of need, often with discretion and without expecting repayment.
Plot Summary
A once-rich jeweller loses his fortune and, at his wife's urging, borrows 500 dinars from a friend to restart his business. Soon after, three men claiming to be his father's kin deliver a vast inheritance, and a woman overpays for jewels, rapidly restoring his wealth. When he attempts to repay the loan, his friend refuses, instead giving him a sealed paper. The paper reveals that the friend orchestrated all these events, using his own family, to help the man regain his prosperity and dignity without causing him embarrassment.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects values of generosity, discretion, and community support prevalent in traditional Arabian societies.
Plot Beats (10)
- A rich man loses all his wealth and becomes poor, advised by his wife to seek help from a friend.
- He visits a friend, explains his situation, and is lent 500 dinars to trade with.
- The man, formerly a jeweller, opens a shop in the jewel-bazar.
- Three men approach him, inquire about his deceased father, and confirm his identity with bazar people.
- They deliver saddle-bags containing 30,000 dinars, jewels, and bullion, stating it was his father's trust.
- A woman then buys jewels worth 500 dinars from him, paying 3,000 dinars.
- The man takes 500 dinars and goes to his friend to repay the loan, announcing his newfound prosperity.
- The friend refuses the repayment, claiming he gave the money for the love of Allah, and gives the man a sealed paper to read at home.
- At home, the man opens the paper and reads couplets revealing that his friend orchestrated the entire sequence of events.
- The friend, along with his father and uncles, posed as the kin, and his mother as the woman, to secretly restore the man's wealth and dignity.
