CXII NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
I was very happy. I met a nice lady. We talked about a special day.
The Lady had a good idea. She said, "Come to my house." I felt happy. I said, "Yes, I will come." She said, "Come Friday. Come after lunch." I wanted to go.
The next day came very slowly. I waited for Friday. I felt so excited. I could not wait for it. I thought about The Lady. I wanted to see her face. I was very, very happy. I smiled a lot.
Friday morning came at last. I put on my best clothes. They were bright and new. I took some shiny coins. I found The Donkey Driver. He had a strong, kind Donkey. I paid him for our ride. We would go far.
We rode the good Donkey. We came to a nice street. The Donkey Driver knew the way. He found The Lady's house. I got off the Donkey. I paid him much money. I said, "Come back tomorrow." I waved goodbye.
I knocked on the big door. Two little helpers opened it. They were small, kind girls. Their clothes were very neat. They looked like fresh snow. They smiled at me. I felt welcome.
First Little Helper said, "Please come inside." She said, "Mistress waits for you." She was very happy to see me. I felt very welcome then. It made me smile.
I walked into a big garden. It had many pretty flowers. Bright colors were everywhere. Fruit trees stood very tall. Birds sang sweet songs. A water fountain sprayed high. Golden dragons watched the water. It was a truly lovely place. I liked it much.
The little helpers led me inside. We went to a big, grand room. It was a very beautiful room. It had many nice things. The air was warm.
The First Little Helper left the room. She told The Lady I was here. The Second Little Helper stayed with me. She showed me pretty things. She pointed to a soft chair. She showed me a shiny lamp. This was a nice room.
Original Story
CXII NUIT.
«Il est plus à propos, madame, poursuivit-il, que vous ayez la bonté de m'enseigner votre demeure; j'aurai l'honneur de vous aller voir chez vous.» La dame y consentit. «Il est, dit-elle, vendredi après-demain; venez ce jour-là, après la prière du midi. Je demeure dans la rue de la Dévotion. Vous n'avez qu'à demander la maison d'Abou-Schamma, surnommé Bercout, autrefois chef des émirs: vous me trouverez là.» À ces mots, nous nous séparâmes, et je passai le lendemain dans une grande impatience.
«Le vendredi, je me levai de bon matin; je pris le plus bel habit que j'eusse, avec une bourse où je mis cinquante pièces d'or, et, monté sur un âne que j'avais retenu dès le jour précédent, je partis accompagné de l'homme qui me l'avait loué. Quand nous fûmes arrivés dans la rue de la Dévotion, je dis au maître de l'âne de demander où était la maison que je cherchais: on la lui enseigna et il m'y mena. Je descendis à la porte. Je le payai bien et le renvoyai, en lui recommandant de bien remarquer la maison où il me laissait et de ne pas manquer de m'y venir prendre le lendemain matin, pour me ramener au khan de Mesrour.
«Je frappai à la porte, et aussitôt deux petites esclaves blanches comme la neige et très-proprement habillées vinrent ouvrir. «Entrez, s'il vous plaît, me dirent-elles, notre maîtresse vous attend impatiemment. Il y a deux jours qu'elle ne cesse de parler de vous.» J'entrai dans la cour et vis un grand pavillon élevé sur sept marches, et entouré d'une grille qui le séparait d'un jardin d'une beauté admirable. Outre les arbres qui ne servaient qu'à l'embellir et qu'à former de l'ombre, il y en avait une infinité d'autres chargés de toutes sortes de fruits. Je fus charmé du ramage d'un grand nombre d'oiseaux qui mêlaient leurs chants au murmure d'un jet d'eau d'une hauteur prodigieuse qu'on voyait au milieu d'un parterre émaillé de fleurs. D'ailleurs ce jet d'eau était très-agréable à voir; quatre gros dragons dorés paraissaient aux angles du bassin qui était en carré, et ces dragons jetaient de l'eau en abondance, mais de l'eau plus claire que le cristal de roche. Ce lieu plein de délices me donna une haute idée de la conquête que j'avais faite. Les deux petites esclaves me firent entrer dans un salon magnifiquement meublé, et pendant que l'une courut avertir sa maîtresse de mon arrivée, l'autre demeura avec moi et me fit remarquer toutes les beautés du salon.»
En achevant ces derniers mots, Scheherazade cessa de parler, à cause qu'elle vit paraître le jour. Schahriar se leva fort curieux d'apprendre ce que ferait le jeune homme de Bagdad dans le salon de la dame du Caire. La sultane contenta le lendemain la curiosité de ce prince en reprenant ainsi cette histoire:
Story DNA
Plot Summary
A man arranges to visit a lady he has met, agreeing to come on Friday after midday prayer. He spends the next day in eager anticipation, then prepares meticulously for his visit, dressing in his finest clothes and hiring an ass and guide. Upon arriving at the lady's grand house, he is welcomed by two slave girls who lead him through a magnificent garden with a pavilion and a prodigious water jet. He is then ushered into a lavishly furnished salon, left to admire its beauty while one slave goes to inform her mistress of his arrival.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anticipation to delight
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is a fragment from 'One Thousand and One Nights', a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. The social structures, customs, and architectural descriptions reflect that period.
Plot Beats (9)
- The narrator and a lady agree that he will visit her house on Friday after midday prayer.
- The narrator spends the following day in great impatience, eagerly awaiting the visit.
- On Friday morning, the narrator dresses in his finest clothes, takes fifty gold pieces, and hires an ass with a guide.
- They arrive at the street of Devotion, find the house of Abou-Schamma, and the narrator dismisses his guide, instructing him to return the next morning.
- The narrator knocks on the door, and two small, white, well-dressed slave girls open it.
- The slave girls welcome him, stating their mistress has been eagerly awaiting him for two days.
- The narrator enters a courtyard with a grand pavilion, a beautiful garden, fruit trees, singing birds, and a prodigious water jet with golden dragons.
- The slave girls lead him into a magnificently furnished salon.
- One slave goes to inform her mistress, while the other stays with the narrator, pointing out the salon's beauties.
Characters
The Young Man of Baghdad
Of average height and build, with a well-groomed appearance befitting a man of some means who takes pride in his presentation.
Attire: On his visit, he wears 'the most beautiful habit he possessed,' which would be a finely tailored qamis or thobe made of high-quality linen or silk, possibly in a rich color like deep blue or emerald green, with subtle embroidery. He would wear a matching or contrasting sirwal (trousers) underneath, and a finely woven turban wrapped around his head, perhaps with a decorative pin. Soft leather slippers would complete his attire.
Wants: To pursue the romantic interest he has found, to experience pleasure and luxury, and to impress the lady.
Flaw: Impatience and perhaps a touch of arrogance or overconfidence in his romantic endeavors.
At the beginning of this excerpt, he is filled with anticipation and excitement for his rendezvous. His arc is just beginning, moving from anticipation to the threshold of a new experience.
Impatient, eager, appreciative of beauty, somewhat self-assured (regarding his 'conquest').
The Lady of Cairo
Her beauty is implied by the young man's eagerness and the description of her lavish home. She is likely graceful and elegant, befitting her status.
Attire: Though not explicitly described, her attire would be of the highest quality, likely a flowing, richly embroidered caftan or dress made of fine silk or brocade, possibly in jewel tones. She would wear elegant jewelry, such as gold bracelets or necklaces, and a delicate head covering.
Wants: To entertain the young man, possibly to find companionship or romance, to enjoy the pleasures of her luxurious home.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, but perhaps a certain vulnerability in inviting a stranger to her home.
Her arc is just beginning, as she prepares to receive her guest and potentially embark on a new romantic encounter.
Gracious, hospitable, discerning (choosing to invite the young man), perhaps a little mysterious.
First Small White Slave
Small in stature, with fair skin described as 'white as snow,' indicating a light complexion. She is 'very neatly dressed.'
Attire: A clean, simple tunic or dress made of light cotton or linen, possibly in a soft pastel color like pale blue or cream, indicating her status as a household servant but one cared for.
Wants: To serve her mistress and ensure the guest is welcomed appropriately.
Flaw: As a child slave, her agency is limited.
Remains a static character, fulfilling her role as a servant.
Polite, obedient, efficient, attentive to her duties.
Second Small White Slave
Small in stature, with fair skin described as 'white as snow,' indicating a light complexion. She is 'very neatly dressed.'
Attire: A clean, simple tunic or dress made of light cotton or linen, possibly in a soft pastel color like pale blue or cream, indicating her status as a household servant but one cared for.
Wants: To serve her mistress and ensure the guest is welcomed appropriately, and to highlight the beauties of the salon.
Flaw: As a child slave, her agency is limited.
Remains a static character, fulfilling her role as a servant.
Polite, obedient, efficient, attentive to her duties.
The Ass-master
Likely a man of sturdy build, accustomed to physical labor and guiding animals through city streets. His skin would be tanned from working outdoors.
Attire: Simple, durable working clothes typical of a laborer in Cairo: a loose-fitting cotton galabeya in a muted color like brown or grey, perhaps a simple head covering to protect from the sun, and sturdy leather sandals.
Wants: To earn his pay by providing transport and following instructions.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but his role is purely transactional.
A static character, serving a functional role in the protagonist's journey.
Reliable, observant (as instructed to note the house), professional.
The Ass
A sturdy, well-kept ass, capable of carrying a rider through city streets. Its coat would be a typical grey or brown.
Attire: A simple, practical saddle and bridle, possibly with some decorative tassels or bells, but primarily functional for transport.
Wants: To follow the commands of its master.
Flaw: None, as it is an animal fulfilling its purpose.
A static character, serving a functional role.
Patient, obedient, reliable.
Locations
Rue de la Dévotion (Devotion Street)
A street in Cairo where the house of Abou-Schamma, formerly chief of the emirs, is located. It is a public thoroughfare leading to a significant residence.
Mood: Anticipatory, bustling with daily life
The protagonist travels to the lady's house, marking the beginning of his visit.
Courtyard of Abou-Schamma's House
A grand, beautiful courtyard within an Abbasid-era house, featuring a central pavilion and an elaborate garden. The air is filled with bird song and the sound of a powerful fountain.
Mood: Luxurious, serene, enchanting, opulent
The protagonist enters the house and is immediately struck by its beauty and opulence, setting the tone for his encounter with the lady.
Magnificently Furnished Salon
An exquisitely decorated reception room within the house, where the protagonist waits for the lady. Details are not given beyond 'magnificently furnished'.
Mood: Elegant, luxurious, expectant
The protagonist is led into this salon to await the lady, building anticipation for their reunion.