CIII NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
In a busy town, a man was scared. His name was The Shop Man. He went to a tall bad time place.
The Shop Man was scared. He said he hurt a man. The man became still. So, they took The Shop Man. He went to the tall bad time place. Many people watched. He felt very sad.
The Judge looked at The Shop Man. "You must take bad time," he said. The Guard came closer. He held a long rope. The Shop Man was afraid.
The Guard put rope on The Shop Man. He was ready to work. Then, a voice shouted. "Stop! Wait!" The Doctor ran fast. He pushed through people. He came to the place. "Stop all!" he called.
The Doctor stood before The Judge. "This man is not bad," he said. "The Shop Man did not do it. He is good. I am the one. It was my fault. I must tell you."
"It was dark," The Doctor said. "I went down stairs. I did not see the man. I pushed him by mistake. He rolled down stairs. He became very still. He could not wake up. It was a mistake."
"We felt scared," The Doctor said. "We carried the still man. We put him on our neighbor's roof. Our neighbor was The Shop Man. We put him in a secret place. We did not want trouble."
"The Shop Man found the man," The Doctor said. "He thought it was a bad man. He thought he pushed a bad man. But the man was then still. The Shop Man did not know this."
"I am sorry for the mistake," The Doctor said. "It was my fault. The Shop Man is good. He must go free. I will take bad time. I must tell truth. It is big to be honest."
The Doctor told his story. All listened. The sun came up. It made the sky bright. The story ended now. It is best to tell truth. It is hard at times. The end.
Original Story
CIII NUIT.
Sire, dit-elle, le pourvoyeur du sultan de Casgar s'étant accusé lui-même publiquement d'être l'auteur de la mort du bossu, le lieutenant de police ne put se dispenser de rendre justice au marchand. «Laisse, dit-il au bourreau, laisse aller le chrétien, et pends cet homme à sa place, puisqu'il est évident par sa propre confession qu'il est coupable. Le bourreau lâcha le marchand, mit aussitôt la corde au cou du pourvoyeur, et dans le temps qu'il allait l'expédier, il entendit la voix du médecin juif, qui le priait instamment de suspendre l'exécution, et qui se faisait faire place pour se rendre au pied de la potence.
Quand il fut devant le juge de police: «Seigneur, lui dit-il, ce musulman que vous voulez faire pendre n'a pas mérité la mort: c'est moi seul qui suis criminel. Hier, pendant la nuit, un homme et une femme, que je ne connais pas, vinrent frapper à ma porte avec un malade qu'ils m'amenaient: ma servante alla ouvrir sans lumière et reçut d'eux une pièce d'argent pour me venir dire de leur part de prendre la peine de descendre pour voir le malade. Pendant qu'elle me parlait, ils apportèrent le malade au haut de l'escalier et puis disparurent. Je descendis sans attendre que ma servante eût allumé une chandelle, et, dans l'obscurité, venant à donner du pied contre le malade, je le fis rouler jusqu'au bas de l'escalier; enfin je vis qu'il était mort et que c'était le musulman bossu dont on veut aujourd'hui venger le trépas. Nous prîmes le cadavre, ma femme et moi, nous le portâmes sur notre toit, d'où nous passâmes sur celui du pourvoyeur, notre voisin, que vous alliez faire mourir injustement, et nous le descendîmes dans sa chambre par la cheminée. Le pourvoyeur l'ayant trouvé chez lui, l'a traité comme un voleur, l'a frappé, et a cru l'avoir tué; mais cela n'est pas, comme vous le voyez par ma déposition. Je suis donc le seul auteur du meurtre, et, quoique je le sois contre mon intention, j'ai résolu d'expier mon crime pour n'avoir pas à me reprocher la mort de deux musulmans en souffrant que vous ôtiez la vie, au pourvoyeur du sultan, dont je viens de vous révéler l'innocence. Renvoyez-le donc, s'il vous plaît, et me mettez à sa place, puisque personne que moi n'est cause de la mort du bossu.»
La sultane Scheherazade fut obligée d'interrompre son récit en cet endroit, parce qu'elle remarqua qu'il était jour. Schahriar se leva, et le lendemain, ayant témoigné qu'il souhaitait d'apprendre la suite de l'histoire du bossu, Scheherazade satisfit ainsi sa curiosité:
Story DNA
Moral
Truth, even when complicated, will eventually come to light, and those who confess their wrongs, even accidental ones, deserve consideration.
Plot Summary
As the sultan's purveyor is about to be executed for the hunchback's death, a Jewish doctor dramatically intervenes. He confesses to the judge that he is the true, albeit accidental, killer, explaining how he tripped over the hunchback in the dark, causing his death. To avoid suspicion, he and his wife then moved the body into their neighbor, the purveyor's, chimney. The doctor takes full responsibility, offering himself for execution, just as Scheherazade's narration is interrupted by dawn.
Themes
Emotional Arc
confusion to clarity
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Part of the One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age.
Plot Beats (10)
- The sultan's purveyor confesses to the death of the hunchback and is led to the gallows.
- The lieutenant of police orders the purveyor to be hanged in place of the Christian merchant.
- As the execution is about to commence, the Jewish doctor arrives, demanding a halt.
- The doctor addresses the judge, declaring the purveyor innocent and himself the true criminal.
- He recounts how an unknown couple brought a sick man (the hunchback) to his door at night.
- In the dark, he accidentally kicked the hunchback, causing him to tumble down the stairs and die.
- The doctor and his wife then moved the body to their neighbor, the purveyor's, roof and lowered it into his chimney.
- He explains that the purveyor, finding the body, believed he had killed a thief, but the hunchback was already dead.
- The doctor concludes by accepting full responsibility for the accidental death and offering himself for execution.
- Scheherazade interrupts her story as dawn breaks.
Characters
The Hunchback
A man of average height and build, distinguished by a prominent hunch on his back. His body is stiff and lifeless when found, suggesting rigor mortis.
Attire: No specific clothing is mentioned, but as a Muslim man in Casgar, he would likely be dressed in simple, practical garments such such as a loose tunic (qamis) and trousers (sirwal) made of cotton or linen, possibly with a simple head covering.
Wants: Unknown, as he is dead.
Flaw: His physical deformity (hunchback) and his ultimate vulnerability to accidental death.
He is the catalyst for the entire series of confessions, his death setting off a chain of events.
Not described, as he is dead throughout the story.
The Provisioner of the Sultan of Casgar
A Muslim man of Casgar, likely of average build for his profession, which involves handling provisions. No specific height or build is given, but he is strong enough to beat a perceived thief.
Attire: As a provisioner for the Sultan, he would wear practical but respectable clothing. This would likely include a sturdy, loose-fitting tunic (qamis) and trousers (sirwal) made of durable cotton or wool, possibly with a vest or a simple cloak. His head would likely be covered with a turban or a simple cap.
Wants: To protect his home and property from what he perceived as a thief; later, to confess his actions and avoid the death penalty.
Flaw: His quick temper and assumption of guilt, leading him to beat the Hunchback.
He is initially accused, confesses to beating the Hunchback, and is nearly executed before being exonerated by the Jewish doctor's confession.
Hot-tempered, quick to anger, prone to violence when he feels threatened or wronged, but ultimately honest and willing to confess his actions when confronted.
The Jewish Doctor
A man of Casgar, likely of a slender to average build, consistent with a scholarly or medical profession. No specific height or build is given.
Attire: As a doctor, he would wear respectable, clean, and practical clothing. This would likely include a long, flowing robe (jubbah or caftan) made of fine linen or cotton, possibly in a muted color like dark green or brown, over a tunic and trousers. He might wear a small, round cap (kippah) or a more elaborate turban, indicating his status and religious identity.
Wants: To prevent the unjust execution of the Provisioner and to confess his own accidental role in the Hunchback's death, driven by a desire for justice and to avoid further guilt.
Flaw: Clumsiness and a tendency to act hastily in the dark, leading to the accidental death.
He confesses his accidental crime, saving the Provisioner and taking his place at the gallows, demonstrating his strong moral character.
Conscientious, honest, responsible, and somewhat clumsy. He is driven by a strong moral compass to prevent injustice, even at his own expense.
The Lieutenant of Police
A man of authority in Casgar, likely of a commanding presence. No specific height or build is given, but he would project an air of stern justice.
Attire: As a high-ranking official, he would wear impressive and formal attire. This would include a richly embroidered caftan or jubbah made of silk or fine wool, possibly in deep colors like crimson or royal blue, with a wide sash. His head would be adorned with a jeweled turban, signifying his status and power.
Wants: To uphold the law and deliver justice for the Hunchback's death, based on the confessions presented to him.
Flaw: Relies heavily on confessions, which can be misleading or incomplete, making him susceptible to errors in judgment.
He presides over the confessions and executions, demonstrating the legal process in Casgar.
Strict, by-the-book, focused on justice (even if sometimes misguided), and willing to follow due process based on confessions.
The Executioner
A strong, imposing man, necessary for his profession. No specific height or build is given, but he would be physically capable of carrying out executions.
Attire: Practical, dark, and perhaps intimidating clothing. This would likely include a sturdy, dark tunic and trousers, possibly with a leather apron or vest. His head might be covered with a simple, dark cap or hood, or he might have a bare, shaven head.
Wants: To follow the orders of the Lieutenant of Police and execute those condemned.
Flaw: None described, as he is a functional character.
He attempts to execute three different men based on the Lieutenant's orders.
Impassive, obedient, and efficient in carrying out his duties.
Locations
Public Square of Casgar
A bustling public square in the city of Casgar, likely paved with rough-hewn stone or packed earth, featuring a prominent gallows structure. The square would be surrounded by buildings typical of an Abbasid-era city, possibly with mud-brick or stone walls and flat roofs, and open-air stalls.
Mood: Tense and somber, with an air of public spectacle and impending execution, yet also a sense of justice being sought.
The scene of the attempted execution of the merchant, then the purveyor, and the dramatic confession of the Jewish physician.
Jewish Physician's House - Staircase
The interior of a Jewish physician's house in Casgar, likely a modest dwelling with whitewashed or plastered walls. The staircase is a central feature, probably made of wood or stone, leading from the ground floor to an upper level. The space is described as being in complete darkness.
Mood: Dark, disorienting, and ultimately tragic, leading to an accidental death.
The accidental death of the Hunchback, who tumbles down the stairs in the darkness after the physician trips over him.
Rooftops of Casgar
The flat rooftops of adjacent houses in Casgar, typical of Middle Eastern architecture, likely made of packed earth or plaster over timber beams. The roofs are close enough to allow passage between them, and a chimney is visible on the neighbor's roof.
Mood: Secretive and urgent, as the physician and his wife attempt to dispose of the body unnoticed.
The physician and his wife transport the Hunchback's body across the rooftops to dispose of it down their neighbor's chimney.