CV NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Princess Shara had a good story to tell. It was a long story. It was about a King. His funny jester. The King loved his jester. The jester made him laugh.
Princess Shara went on with her story. The Tailor was in big trouble. Very big trouble. The Funny Jester was gone. No one could find him. A helper told the King. The Funny Jester was gone. The King was sad. Many men said other things happened. It was hard to know. What was true? The King wanted to know. He sent a helper. A good helper. The helper must stop the big trouble. He must bring all to the King. He must bring all people.
The helper ran very fast. He ran with quick steps. He came just in time. The guard was about to punish the Tailor. The guard held a big stick. The helper cried out. "Stop!" he said. He stopped it. The helper told the Judge the King's words. The King had sent him. The Judge listened well. He brought the Tailor. He brought the Doctor. He brought the food seller. He brought the Merchant. He brought the Funny Jester. The jester was not moving.
All came to the King. They stood before him. The Judge told the story. It was a strange story. A very strange story. It was about the Funny Jester. What happened to him? Many men had other stories. Each man had a story. The King loved the story. It was so good. He wanted someone to write it down. It would go in a special book. A big book of stories. The King asked for more stories. "Is there a better story?" he asked. The Merchant spoke up. He had an even better one! He had a new story. The King said, "Yes!" The Merchant told his story. The Merchant said he was from far away. He came from a far land. He started his new story. It was about a young boy. It was about some seeds. Small seeds.
Princess Shara stopped her story. The sun was coming up! The sky was bright. Princess Shara smiled. "The sun is here!" she said. "I will tell you more next day!"
Original Story
CV NUIT.
La sultane, ayant été réveillée par sa soeur, reprit ainsi la parole: Sire, pendant que le bourreau se préparait à pendre le tailleur, le sultan de Casgar, qui ne pouvait se passer longtemps du bossu, son bouffon, ayant demandé à le voir, un de ses officiers lui dit: «Sire, le bossu dont votre majesté est en peine, après s'être enivré hier, s'échappa du palais, contre sa coutume, pour aller courir par la ville, et il s'est trouvé mort ce matin. On a conduit devant le juge de police un homme accusé de l'avoir tué, et aussitôt le juge a fait dresser une potence. Comme on allait pendre l'accusé, un homme est arrivé, et après celui-là un autre, qui s'accusent eux-mêmes et se déchargent l'un l'autre. Il y a longtemps que cela dure, et le lieutenant de police est actuellement occupé à interroger un troisième homme qui se dit le véritable assassin.»
À ce discours, le sultan de Casgar envoya un huissier au lieu du supplice. «Allez, lui dit-il, en toute diligence, dire au juge de police qu'il m'amène incessamment les accusés, et qu'on m'apporte aussi le corps du pauvre bossu, que je veux voir encore une fois.» L'huissier partit, et arrivant dans le temps que le bourreau commençait à tirer la corde pour pendre le tailleur, il cria de toute sa force que l'on eût à suspendre l'exécution. Le bourreau ayant reconnu l'huissier, n'osa passer outre et lâcha le tailleur. Après cela, l'huissier ayant joint le lieutenant de police, lui déclara la volonté du sultan. Le juge obéit, prit le chemin du palais avec le tailleur, le médecin juif, le pourvoyeur et le marchand chrétien, et fit porter par quatre de ses gens le corps du bossu.
Lorsqu'ils furent tous devant le sultan, le juge de police se prosterna aux pieds de ce prince, et, quand il fut relevé, lui raconta fidèlement tout ce qu'il savait de l'histoire du bossu. Le sultan la trouva si singulière qu'il ordonna à son historiographe particulier de l'écrire avec toutes ses circonstances; puis, s'adressant à toutes les personnes qui étaient présentes: «Avez- vous jamais, leur dit-il, rien entendu de plus surprenant que ce qui vient d'arriver à l'occasion du bossu, mon bouffon?» Le marchand chrétien, après s'être prosterné jusqu'à toucher la terre de son front, prit alors la parole: «Puissant monarque, dit-il, je sais une histoire plus étonnante que celle dont on vient de vous faire le récit; je vais vous la raconter si votre majesté veut m'en donner la permission. Les circonstances en sont telles qu'il n'y a personne qui puisse les entendre sans en être touché.» Le sultan lui permit de la dire, ce qu'il fit en ces termes:
HISTOIRE QUE RACONTA LE MARCHAND CHRÉTIEN. «Sire, avant que je m'engage dans le récit que votre majesté consent que je lui fasse, je lui ferai remarquer, s'il lui plaît, que je n'ai pas l'honneur d'être né dans un endroit qui relève de son empire: je suis étranger, natif du Caire en Égypte, Copte de nation et chrétien de religion. Mon père était courtier, et il avait amassé des biens assez considérables qu'il me laissa en mourant. Je suivis son exemple et embrassai sa profession. Comme j'étais un jour au Caire, dans le logement public des marchands de toutes sortes de grains, un jeune marchand très-bien fait et proprement vêtu, monté sur un âne, vint m'aborder; il me salua, et ouvrant un mouchoir où il y avait une montre[48] de sésame: «Combien vaut, me dit-il, la grande mesure de sésame de la qualité de celui que vous voyez?»
Scheherazade, apercevant le jour, se tut en cet endroit; mais elle reprit son discours la nuit suivante, et dit au sultan des Indes:
Story DNA
Plot Summary
The Sultana continues her tale, describing how the Sultan of Casgar, missing his jester, learns of his death and a chaotic situation where multiple men are confessing to the murder, preventing an execution. The Sultan sends an usher to halt the hanging and bring all involved parties, including the jester's body, before him. The police judge recounts the extraordinary events, which the Sultan orders to be recorded. Intrigued, the Sultan is then offered an even more astonishing story by the Christian merchant, who begins his narrative before Scheherazade pauses for dawn.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suspense to intrigue
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is part of 'One Thousand and One Nights' (Arabian Nights), a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. The frame story structure is characteristic of this collection.
Plot Beats (11)
- The Sultana continues her story, describing the scene where a tailor is about to be hanged for the death of a jester.
- An officer informs the Sultan of Casgar that his jester is dead and that multiple men are confessing to the murder, causing a delay in justice.
- The Sultan of Casgar, intrigued and wanting to see his jester one last time, sends an usher to halt the execution and bring all parties to him.
- The usher arrives at the gallows just as the executioner is about to hang the tailor and stops the proceedings.
- The usher conveys the Sultan's orders to the police judge, who then gathers the tailor, the Jewish doctor, the purveyor, the Christian merchant, and the jester's body.
- All parties are brought before the Sultan of Casgar, and the police judge recounts the entire strange sequence of events regarding the jester's death and the multiple confessions.
- The Sultan of Casgar is so amazed by the story that he orders his historian to record it.
- The Sultan asks if anyone has heard anything more surprising, and the Christian merchant offers to tell an even more astonishing story.
- The Sultan grants permission for the Christian merchant to speak.
- The Christian merchant introduces himself as a Coptic Christian from Cairo, explaining his background as a broker, before beginning his own tale about a young merchant and sesame seeds.
- Scheherazade stops her narration as dawn breaks.
Characters
La Sultane (Scheherazade)
Slender and graceful, with features considered beautiful in her culture. Her posture is elegant and composed, even when speaking for long hours.
Attire: Luxurious, flowing silk robes (likely a caftan or similar garment) in rich, jewel-toned colors, possibly embroidered with gold thread or subtle patterns. She wears delicate gold jewelry, such as earrings and bracelets, appropriate for a royal consort in a Middle Eastern court.
Wants: To survive the Sultan's decree and ultimately to soften his heart and end his cruel practice of executing new wives.
Flaw: Her life is constantly at stake, dependent on her ability to entertain and intrigue the Sultan.
From a woman facing certain death, she transforms into a beloved queen who changes the Sultan's heart and saves countless lives.
Intelligent, resourceful, captivating, resilient, and strategic. She uses her storytelling prowess to survive.
La Soeur (of Scheherazade)
Likely shares similar features to her sister, perhaps slightly younger or with a gentler demeanor. Graceful and quiet.
Attire: Elegant, but perhaps less ornate than Scheherazade's, reflecting her supporting role. Flowing silk garments in muted, rich tones.
Wants: To help her sister survive and succeed in her mission.
Flaw: Her role is primarily reactive, dependent on her sister's instructions.
Remains a steadfast support for her sister throughout the narrative.
Supportive, loyal, and obedient. She plays a crucial role in Scheherazade's strategy.
Le Sultan de Casgar
A man of authority, likely of a robust build, reflecting his position of power. He carries himself with a commanding presence.
Attire: Rich, formal court attire, such as a flowing thobe or caftan made of fine silk or brocade, possibly in deep reds or purples, adorned with gold embroidery. He would wear a jeweled turban (like an 'imamah') and perhaps a wide sash.
Wants: To find out what happened to his beloved jester and to ensure justice is served.
Flaw: His initial impatience and reliance on his jester for amusement.
He is presented with a complex legal puzzle and demonstrates his wisdom by seeking the full truth.
Impatient, fond of entertainment, curious, and ultimately just, as he seeks the truth.
Le Bossu (The Hunchback)
A man of short stature with a pronounced hunchback. Despite his physical deformity, he is agile and lively when alive.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a jester, perhaps brightly colored but not overly luxurious. Likely a tunic and trousers.
Wants: To entertain his master and enjoy life.
Flaw: His love for drink, which leads to his accidental death.
His death is the central mystery that drives the initial plot.
Jovial, entertaining, prone to revelry (as he got drunk).
Le Juge de Police (The Police Judge)
A man of authority, likely of a serious demeanor, reflecting his role in upholding the law. Average build.
Attire: Formal, but practical, robes of a civil servant. Perhaps a dark, unadorned thobe or caftan, with a simple turban.
Wants: To uphold the law and deliver justice, even when faced with conflicting testimonies.
Flaw: His adherence to procedure makes him slow to adapt to the bizarre situation.
He is challenged by an unprecedented case but ultimately follows the Sultan's command.
Diligent, by-the-book, somewhat overwhelmed by the unusual circumstances.
Le Tailleur (The Tailor)
Likely a slender man, accustomed to sitting and working with fine fabrics. Perhaps a bit nervous and frail under pressure.
Attire: Modest, practical clothing of a craftsman. A simple tunic and trousers, perhaps made of linen or cotton, in muted colors like brown or beige.
Wants: To avoid execution and clear his name.
Flaw: His extreme fear and bad luck.
He is saved from execution at the last moment, becoming a witness to the unfolding mystery.
Fearful, easily panicked, unlucky, but ultimately honest about his accidental involvement.
Le Médecin Juif (The Jewish Doctor)
An older man, perhaps with a slight stoop, indicating years of study and practice. Likely thin and intellectual in appearance.
Attire: Dignified, scholarly robes. A dark, flowing tunic or caftan, possibly of wool or heavy linen, with a simple sash. He might wear a small, round skullcap or a modest turban.
Wants: To practice his profession and avoid trouble, but he accidentally becomes involved in the Bossu's death.
Flaw: His accidental involvement in the Bossu's death, despite his good intentions.
He is implicated in the Bossu's death but reveals his accidental role, adding another layer to the mystery.
Learned, precise, cautious, and prone to accidental mishaps.
Le Marchand Chrétien (The Christian Merchant)
A well-traveled and prosperous man, likely of a sturdy build, reflecting his profession. He carries himself with confidence.
Attire: Fine, but practical, merchant's attire. A well-made tunic or caftan of good quality linen or light wool, perhaps in a deep green or earthy tone, with a sturdy belt. A simple, practical turban or head covering. He might wear a small cross or religious symbol discreetly.
Wants: To conduct his business, but he accidentally becomes involved in the Bossu's death. He also seeks to entertain the Sultan with his own tale.
Flaw: His accidental involvement in the Bossu's death.
He is implicated in the Bossu's death but then becomes a key storyteller, introducing a new narrative layer.
Shrewd, observant, well-traveled, a good storyteller, and respectful of authority.
Locations
Sultan's Palace (Casgar)
An opulent Arabian palace, likely featuring Abbasid-era architectural elements such as muqarnas vaults, intricate geometric tile mosaics, and possibly a central courtyard with a riad fountain. The sultan's audience chamber would be richly adorned, reflecting the wealth and power of the ruler.
Mood: Authoritative, formal, yet with an undercurrent of curiosity and intrigue due to the unusual circumstances.
The Sultan of Casgar receives news of his jester's death and the subsequent arrests, leading him to intervene in the execution and summon the accused to his presence. Later, he hears the merchant's story.
Place of Execution (Casgar)
A public square or designated execution ground in Casgar, likely paved with rough-hewn stone or packed earth. A wooden gallows stands prominently, a stark structure against the backdrop of the city. The area would be open, allowing for public viewing.
Mood: Tense, somber, with a sudden shift to confusion and relief.
The tailor is about to be hanged when the Sultan's huissier arrives, dramatically stopping the execution and summoning all parties to the palace.
Public Merchants' Lodging (Cairo)
A bustling public lodging for grain merchants in Cairo, likely a large caravanserai or khan. It would feature a central courtyard surrounded by multiple levels of arcaded rooms or stalls, built from local sandstone or mudbrick. The air would be filled with the sounds of commerce and the scent of various grains and spices. Wooden beams and simple, functional architecture would be prominent.
Mood: Lively, commercial, busy, and functional.
The Christian merchant, in his youth, is approached by a young merchant selling sesame, marking the beginning of his own astonishing story.