CVIII NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Mr. Omar had a guest. His guest was a young man named Ahmed. Ahmed always ate with his left hand. Mr. Omar watched him well. He saw Ahmed each day. Ahmed never used his right hand. This made Mr. Omar wonder.
Mr. Omar watched Ahmed. Ahmed was his new friend. Ahmed ate his food. He always used his left hand. Mr. Omar saw this many times. It was a little strange.
Dinner was over. Mr. Omar asked Ahmed a question. "Is your right hand hurt?" he asked kindly.
Ahmed made a sad sound. It was a deep sigh. He pulled back his robe. His right hand was not there. Mr. Omar looked with surprise. Ahmed felt very sad. Mr. Omar gasped softly. He felt sad for Ahmed. He did not know what to say.
"Oh dear," Mr. Omar said. "What happened to your hand?" Ahmed's eyes watered. He started to cry. He wiped his tears away.
Ahmed took a deep breath. He looked at Mr. Omar. "I will tell you my story," he said. "I am from Baghdad city. My father was very rich. He was a great man." He wanted to tell his story. Mr. Omar listened well.
Ahmed heard many stories. People talked of Cairo. It was a big, far-off city. Ahmed wanted to go there. Cairo sounded good. He dreamed of the city. He wanted to see it all.
His father was old. Then his father was gone. Ahmed was free to travel. He had much money. He could go to Cairo now.
Ahmed bought many fine cloths. The cloths were pretty. They had bright colors. He packed them with care. He took them to Cairo. The journey was long. He was very tired. He found a good place to stay. He rested after his trip.
The next day, Ahmed went out. He dressed in nice clothes. He took his best cloths. He went to the big market. The market was busy. Many people walked there. He hoped to sell his cloths well. He wanted to sell them.
Many people came to see. They looked at Ahmed's cloths. They offered very little money. The offers were too low. Ahmed shook his head. He felt sad. It was not enough for Ahmed.
Ahmed felt very sad. The offers were too small. Some people spoke to him. "We can help you," they said. "You will not lose money." They seemed kind. Ahmed listened to their words. He felt a little hope.
Ahmed was ready to tell Mr. Omar his big story. What happened next? We will have to wait and see!
Original Story
CVIII NUIT.
Sire, le marchand chrétien était fort en peine de savoir pourquoi son hôte ne mangeait que de la main gauche: «Après le repas, dit- il, lorsque mes gens eurent desservi et se furent retirés, nous nous assîmes tous deux sur un sofa. Je présentai au jeune homme d'une tablette excellente pour la bonne bouche, et il la prit encore de la main gauche. «Seigneur, lui dis-je alors, je vous supplie de me pardonner la liberté que je prends de vous demander d'où vient que vous ne vous servez pas de votre main droite. Vous y avez mal, apparemment?» Il fit un grand soupir au lieu de me répondre, et, tirant son bras droit, qu'il avait tenu caché jusqu'alors sous sa robe, il me montra qu'il avait la main coupée, de quoi je fus extrêmement étonné. «Vous avez été choqué sans doute, me dit-il, de me voir manger de la main gauche; mais jugez si j'ai pu faire autrement. - Peut-on vous demander, repris-je, par quel malheur vous avez perdu votre main droite?» Il versa des larmes à cette demande, et après les avoir essuyées, il me conta son histoire comme je vais vous la raconter:
«Vous saurez, me dit-il, que je suis natif de Bagdad, fils d'un père riche, et des plus distingués de la ville par sa qualité et par son rang. À peine étais-je entré dans le monde, que, fréquentant des personnes qui avaient voyagé et qui disaient des merveilles de l'Égypte et particulièrement du grand Caire, je fus frappé de leurs discours et eus envie d'y faire un voyage; mais mon père vivait encore, et il ne m'en aurait pas donné la permission. Il mourut enfin, et sa mort me laissant maître de mes actions, je résolus d'aller au Caire. J'employai une très-grosse somme d'argent en plusieurs sortes d'étoffes fines de Bagdad et de Moussoul, et me mis en chemin.
«En arrivant au Caire, j'allai descendre au khan qu'on appelle le khan de Mesrour; j'y pris un logement avec un magasin, dans lequel je fis mettre les ballots que j'avais apportés avec moi sur des chameaux. Cela fait, j'entrai dans ma chambre pour me reposer et me remettre de la fatigue du chemin, pendant que mes gens, à qui j'avais donné de l'argent, allèrent acheter des vivres et firent la cuisine. Après le repas, j'allai voir le château, quelques mosquées, les places publiques et d'autres endroits qui méritaient d'être vus.
«Le lendemain je m'habillai proprement, et après avoir fait tirer de quelques-uns de mes ballots de très-belles et très-riches étoffes, dans l'intention de les porter à un bezestan[49] pour voir ce qu'on en offrirait, j'en chargeai quelques-uns de mes esclaves et me rendis au bezestan des Circassiens. J'y fus bientôt environné d'une foule de courtiers et de crieurs qui avaient été avertis de mon arrivée. Je partageai des essais d'étoffe entre plusieurs crieurs, qui les allèrent crier et faire voir dans tout le bezestan; mais nul des marchands n'en offrit que beaucoup moins que ce qu'elles me coûtaient d'achat et de frais de voiture. Cela me fâcha, et j'en marquais mon ressentiment aux crieurs: «Si vous voulez nous en croire, me dirent-ils, nous vous enseignerons un moyen de ne rien perdre sur vos étoffes.»
En cet endroit, Scheherazade s'arrêta parce qu'elle vit paraître le jour. La nuit suivante elle reprit son discours de cette manière:
Story DNA
Plot Summary
A Christian merchant is intrigued by his guest, a young man who only eats with his left hand. Upon inquiry, the young man reveals his right hand is missing and, after shedding tears, begins to recount his life story. He explains he was a wealthy merchant's son from Baghdad who, after his father's death, decided to travel to Cairo. He invested in fine fabrics and, upon arrival, explored the city before attempting to sell his goods in the market. Frustrated by low offers, he is approached by criers who promise a solution, at which point the story is interrupted by the dawn.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to revelation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is a fragment from 'One Thousand and One Nights' (Arabian Nights), specifically from the 108th Night, known for its frame narrative structure and nested stories.
Plot Beats (13)
- A Christian merchant observes his guest, a young man, consistently eating with only his left hand.
- After dinner, the merchant politely inquires about the young man's unusual habit.
- The young man sighs deeply and reveals his right hand is missing, hidden beneath his robe.
- The merchant, astonished, asks how he lost his hand, prompting tears from the young man.
- The young man, after composing himself, begins to tell his story, stating he is from Baghdad, son of a rich and distinguished father.
- He explains that after hearing travelers' tales of Egypt, he longed to visit Cairo.
- Upon his father's death, he inherited his freedom and wealth, deciding to embark on his journey.
- He invested a large sum in fine fabrics from Baghdad and Mosul and set off for Cairo.
- Arriving in Cairo, he settled into a khan, stored his goods, and rested.
- The next day, he dressed finely and took some of his best fabrics to the Bezestan of the Circassians to sell.
- He was immediately surrounded by brokers and criers, but all offers for his goods were far below his cost.
- Frustrated, he expressed his resentment to the criers, who then offered to show him a way to avoid losing money.
- Scheherazade stops her narration as day breaks.
Characters
The Christian Merchant
A man of average height and build, likely with features common to Christian merchants from the Levant or Europe during the medieval Islamic period. His appearance is not explicitly detailed, but he is observant and polite.
Attire: Practical, well-maintained clothing suitable for a traveling merchant, likely made of sturdy wool or linen in muted colors, possibly with a simple tunic and trousers, and a cloak for travel. His attire would reflect his status as a successful but not ostentatious trader.
Wants: To understand his guest's unusual behavior and to offer comfort and hospitality.
Flaw: Perhaps a slight over-curiosity, though it is presented politely.
Serves as a listener and facilitator for the main character's story, remaining largely unchanged himself within this segment.
Observant, curious, polite, hospitable, patient.
The Young Man from Bagdad
A young man of slender to average build, with a notable physical disability: his right hand is severed. His appearance would be consistent with someone from a wealthy Baghdadi family, suggesting well-groomed features despite his misfortune.
Attire: Fine robes, likely made of silk or fine cotton, in rich colors, indicative of his wealthy background. He keeps his right arm hidden under his robe, suggesting a garment with ample sleeves or draping. The fabrics would be from Bagdad or Mosul, known for their quality.
Wants: To overcome his past misfortunes, to conduct trade, and eventually, to share his painful story.
Flaw: His past trauma and physical disability, which he initially tries to conceal.
From a secretive, sorrowful figure, he begins the process of opening up and sharing his traumatic past, indicating a move towards healing or acceptance.
Reserved, sorrowful, initially secretive, eventually trusting, adventurous (in his youth).
Scheherazade
A woman of striking beauty and intelligence, known for her captivating storytelling. Her physical appearance is not detailed in this specific excerpt, but traditionally she is depicted as graceful and alluring.
Attire: Rich, flowing garments, likely made of silk or fine cotton, in vibrant colors, befitting her status as a queen and storyteller. Her attire would be elegant and culturally appropriate for a Persian or Arabian queen.
Wants: To survive by entertaining the Sultan with stories, and to ultimately change his cruel decree.
Flaw: Her life is constantly at risk, dependent on her ability to maintain the Sultan's interest.
Her arc is ongoing, as she continues to tell stories to survive and ultimately transform the Sultan.
Intelligent, resourceful, captivating, strategic, patient.
Locations
Christian Merchant's Home
A comfortable, private room within a merchant's dwelling, furnished with a sofa for conversation after meals. The atmosphere is one of hospitality and quiet curiosity.
Mood: Intimate, curious, revealing
The merchant discovers his guest's missing hand and prompts the telling of the guest's story.
Khan of Mesrour, Cairo
A bustling caravanserai in Cairo, featuring individual lodging rooms and ground-floor warehouses for merchants. It's a place of rest and commerce for travelers.
Mood: Busy, functional, transient
The young merchant arrives in Cairo, secures lodging, and stores his goods, preparing for trade.
Bezestan of the Circassians, Cairo
A vibrant, enclosed market (bezestan) in Cairo, specifically known as the Bezestan of the Circassians. It's a hub for textile trade, filled with merchants, brokers, and criers.
Mood: Loud, competitive, commercial
The young merchant attempts to sell his fine fabrics but is frustrated by low offers, leading to a pivotal suggestion from the criers.