AL-MUTALAMMIS AND HIS WIFE UMAYMAH
by Unknown
Adapted Version
Long ago, in a far off land. Lived a kind man, Al-Mutalammis. He had a nice wife, Umaymah. They loved each other much. Their life was good.
Al-Mutalammis had to go away. He went to a far place. He was gone for a long, long time. Umaymah was very sad. People thought he was gone for good. They did not think he would come back.
Umaymah was very pretty. She loved her husband much. Her kin wanted her to marry again. Many men wanted her. But Umaymah said no. She waited for Al-Mutalammis.
Her kin asked her many times. They asked her each day. Umaymah was still sad. She did not want to marry. But she said yes. She would marry a new man. He was a good man. He lived in her village. She felt very sad.
One night, Al-Mutalammis came back. He came to his home. He heard happy music. He saw many bright lights. People were dancing outside. It was a big party. He wondered why.
He asked some children. "What is this party?" he asked. The children said, "Umaymah marries." "She marries The Groom." Al-Mutalammis felt very sad. His heart was very heavy. He missed Umaymah.
He found a way inside. He went into the house. He saw Umaymah there. She sat with The Groom. She wore a nice dress. She looked very, very sad. Her eyes were down.
The Groom came near her. Umaymah cried softly. She said, "I miss my true love. Where are you, Al-Mutalammis?" She wanted him back. She spoke with a sad voice. Her heart was broken.
Al-Mutalammis heard her words. He knew her voice. He spoke softly. He said, "I am here, Umaymah." She looked up fast. She knew his voice. He was truly there.
The Groom knew everything. He saw their true love. He was a very kind man. He felt happy for them. He said goodbye to them. He left the house quietly. He went away.
Al-Mutalammis and Umaymah were together. They were very happy. They lived a long life. Their love was strong and true. They were never apart again. They had many happy days.
This story shows true love. True love is very strong. It always finds a way.
Original Story
AL-MUTALAMMIS AND HIS WIFE UMAYMAH
It is related Al-Mutalammis\[FN#105\] once fled from Al-Nu'uman bin Munzir\[FN#106\] and was absent so long that folk deemed him dead. Now he had a beautiful wife, Umaymah by name, and her family urged her to marry again; but she refused, for that she loved her husband Al-Mutalammis very dearly. However, they were urgent with her, because of the multitude of her suitors, and importuned with her till at last she consented, albe reluctantly; and they espoused her to a man of her own tribe. Now on the night of the wedding, Al-Mutalammis came back and, hearing in the camp a noise of pipes and tabrets and seeing signs of a wedding festival, asked some of the children what was the merry-making, to which they replied, "They have married Umaymah wife of Al-Mutalammis, to such an one, and he goes in to her this night." When he heard this, he planned to enter the house amongst the mob of women and saw the twain seated on the bridal couch.\[FN#107\] By and by, the bridegroom came up to her, whereupon she sighed heavily and weeping, recited this couplet,
"Would Heaven I knew (but many are the shifts of joy and woe) \* ย ย ย ย ย In what far distant land thou art, my Mutalammis, oh!"
Now Al-Mutalammis was a renowned poet; so he answered her saying;
"Right near at hand, Umaymah mine! when'er the caravan \* ย ย ย ย ย Halted, I never ceased for thee to pine, I would thou know."
When the bridegroom heard this, he guess how the case stood and went forth from them in hast improvising,
"I was in bestest luck, but now my luck goes contrary: \* ย ย ย ย ย A hospitable house and room contain your loves, you two!"
And he returned not but left the twain to their privacy. So Al- Mutalammis and his wife abode together in all comfort and solace of life and in all its joys and jollities till death parted them. And glory be to Him at whose command the earth and the heavens shall arise! And among other tales is that of
Moral of the Story
True love and loyalty can overcome great obstacles and reunite those who are meant to be together.
Characters
Al-Mutalammis ★ protagonist
A man of average height and lean build, hardened by travel and exile. His skin is sun-kissed from his journeys across the desert. He carries himself with a weary but determined posture.
Attire: Simple, practical traveler's attire: a light, flowing thobe made of undyed linen, possibly with a darker wool abaya for warmth and concealment. He would wear sturdy leather sandals. His clothing would show signs of travel, perhaps a bit dusty.
Wants: To return to his home and his beloved wife, Umaymah, and to escape the wrath of Al-Nu'uman bin Munzir.
Flaw: His prolonged absence and presumed death caused distress for his wife and nearly led to her remarriage.
Returns from exile, reclaims his wife through his wit and love, and settles into a comfortable life with her.
Loyal, poetic, resourceful, determined, observant.
Umaymah ◆ supporting
A woman of striking beauty, with a graceful and slender figure. Her skin is fair, indicative of someone who spends time indoors, and her movements are gentle and refined.
Attire: On her wedding night, she would wear a richly embroidered, flowing dress, possibly a 'thobe nashal' or similar garment, made of fine silk or cotton, in vibrant colors like deep red or blue, adorned with gold thread embroidery. She would also wear traditional bridal jewelry, such as a gold necklace and bracelets.
Wants: To remain faithful to her beloved husband, Al-Mutalammis, and to find happiness.
Flaw: Her family's pressure led her to reluctantly agree to a second marriage, despite her loyalty.
Forced into a second marriage due to family pressure, she is dramatically reunited with her true love and lives happily ever after.
Loyal, loving, sorrowful, resilient, beautiful.
The Bridegroom ○ minor
A man of average build and height, likely well-groomed and dressed for a wedding. His appearance would be typical of a man from the same tribe as Umaymah.
Attire: Traditional wedding attire for a man of his tribe: a clean, well-made thobe, perhaps of a finer fabric than everyday wear, possibly with a decorative sash or a simple cloak. He would wear sandals.
Wants: To marry Umaymah and start a new life, but ultimately to do the honorable thing when he realizes the situation.
Flaw: His lack of awareness of Umaymah's true feelings for Al-Mutalammis.
Begins as a hopeful groom, but quickly steps aside with honor upon realizing Umaymah's true love, becoming a facilitator of the protagonists' reunion.
Perceptive, honorable, understanding, quick-witted (as shown by his improvised verse).
Locations
Desert Camp
A bustling Arabian desert camp at night, filled with the sounds of celebration. Tents of various sizes are pitched, and the air is alive with music and merriment.
Mood: Festive, lively, initially confusing for Al-Mutalammis, then revealing
Al-Mutalammis returns to find his wife's wedding celebration and learns of her remarriage.
Bridal Chamber
An intimate, richly decorated bridal chamber within a tent or a simple dwelling, furnished with a bridal couch. The space is dimly lit, creating a private and emotional atmosphere.
Mood: Intimate, tense, melancholic, then hopeful
Umaymah laments her lost husband, Al-Mutalammis reveals himself, and the bridegroom gracefully departs, leaving the couple reunited.
Story DNA
Moral
True love and loyalty can overcome great obstacles and reunite those who are meant to be together.
Plot Summary
Al-Mutalammis flees and is presumed dead, leaving his loyal wife, Umaymah. Despite her love, her family pressures her into a new marriage. On her wedding night, Al-Mutalammis returns, learns of the wedding, and enters the house. He witnesses Umaymah's sorrowful poem for him and responds with his own, revealing his presence. The new bridegroom, understanding their true love, gracefully withdraws, allowing Al-Mutalammis and Umaymah to reunite and live happily ever after.
Themes
Emotional Arc
despair to joy
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Al-Nu'uman bin Munzir refers to a historical Lakhmid king of Al-Hirah, suggesting a pre-Islamic Arabian setting. The use of poetry for communication and emotional expression is characteristic of classical Arabic culture.
Plot Beats (10)
- Al-Mutalammis flees from Al-Nu'uman bin Munzir and is gone for so long that he is presumed dead.
- His beautiful wife, Umaymah, refuses to remarry despite her family's urging, due to her deep love for him.
- Under pressure from her family and many suitors, Umaymah reluctantly consents to marry a man from her own tribe.
- On the night of her wedding, Al-Mutalammis returns to the camp and hears the sounds of a wedding festival.
- He asks children about the celebration and learns that Umaymah, his wife, is marrying another man that very night.
- Al-Mutalammis devises a plan to enter the house disguised among the women and sees Umaymah and the new bridegroom on the bridal couch.
- As the bridegroom approaches her, Umaymah sighs and weeps, reciting a poem expressing her longing for Al-Mutalammis.
- Al-Mutalammis, a renowned poet, responds with a poem, revealing his presence to Umaymah.
- The bridegroom, realizing the situation, improvises a poem acknowledging their love and gracefully leaves the house.
- Al-Mutalammis and Umaymah are reunited and live together in happiness until their deaths.
