CXIV NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Ahmed was a young man. He had no money left. He felt very, very sad.
Ahmed spent all his money. He bought many fun things. He had no money left. Ahmed felt very sad. He did not know what to do. He had nothing.
Ahmed was very sad. He left his house. He walked outside. Many people were there. They watched a show. It was near a big castle. He saw many faces.
Ahmed stood in the crowd. He saw a man on a horse. The man had a bag. It was on his horse. The bag was open a little. Ahmed saw a green cord. He saw a money bag inside. He thought about the money. He wanted the money.
A man walked by. He carried wood. The man on the horse looked away. Ahmed quickly took the money bag. No one saw him. The bag felt heavy. It had much gold or silver.
Mr. Omar looked back. He checked his bag. His money bag was gone. He looked at Ahmed. Mr. Omar pointed at Ahmed. "He took my money!" he shouted. Mr. Omar was very angry.
The people saw this. They did not like it. They said Mr. Omar was wrong. "He did not take it!" they cried. They helped Ahmed. They held Mr. Omar's horse. They thought Ahmed was good.
The Chief Guard came. His men were with him. He saw many people. He asked, "What happened here?" He wanted to know.
The crowd spoke for Ahmed. But Mr. Omar spoke too. He told the Chief Guard. He said, "My money bag is gone. I saw him near me. He took it then. I am sure."
The Chief Guard listened. He told his men. "Look in Ahmed's pocket." A guard looked. He found the money bag. It was Mr. Omar's bag. The guard showed everyone. Everyone saw the bag.
Ahmed felt very, very sad. Everyone looked at him. They saw the money bag. He closed his eyes. He felt a deep shame. It was a very bad feeling. He could not speak.
Ahmed felt very, very sad. He learned that day it is not good to take things that are not yours. Everyone saw what he did. It was a hard lesson for Ahmed.
Original Story
CXIV NUIT.
Le marchand chrétien parlant toujours au sultan de Casgar: «Le jeune homme de Bagdad, dit-il, poursuivit son histoire dans ces termes: «Je continuai de voir la dame tous les jours et de lui laisser chaque jour une bourse de cinquante pièces d'or, et cela dura jusqu'à ce que les marchands à qui j'avais donné mes marchandises à vendre, et que je voyais régulièrement deux fois la semaine, ne me durent plus rien: enfin je me trouvai sans argent et sans espérance d'en avoir.
«Dans cet état affreux, et prêt à m'abandonner à mon désespoir, je sortis du khan sans savoir ce que je faisais, et m'en allai du côté du château où il y avait un grand nombre de peuple assemblé pour voir un spectacle que donnait le sultan d'Égypte. Lorsque je fus arrivé dans le lieu où était tout ce monde, je me mêlai parmi la foule et me trouvai par hasard près d'un cavalier bien monté et fort proprement habillé, qui avait à l'arçon de sa selle un sac à demi ouvert d'où sortait un cordon de soie verte. En mettant la main sur le sac, je jugeai que le cordon devait être celui d'une bourse qui était dedans. Pendant que je faisais ce jugement, il passa de l'autre côté du cavalier un porteur chargé de bois, et il passa si près que le cavalier fut obligé de se tourner vers lui pour empêcher que le bois ne le touchât et ne déchirât son habit. En ce moment le démon me tenta: je pris le cordon d'une main, et m'aidant de l'autre à élargir le sac, je tirai la bourse sans que personne s'en aperçut. Elle était pesante, et je ne doutai point qu'il n'y eût dedans de l'or ou de l'argent.
«Quand le porteur fut passé, le cavalier, qui avait apparemment quelque soupçon de ce que j'avais fait pendant qu'il avait la tête tournée, mit aussitôt la main dans son sac, et, n'y trouvant pas sa bourse, me donna un si grand coup de sa hache d'armes qu'il me renversa par terre. Tous ceux qui furent témoins de cette violence en furent touchés, et quelques-uns mirent la main sur la bride du cheval pour arrêter le cavalier et lui demander pour quel sujet il m'avait frappé; s'il lui était permis de maltraiter ainsi un musulman. «De quoi vous mêlez-vous, leur répondit-il d'un ton brusque; je ne l'ai pas fait sans raison: c'est un voleur.» À ces paroles, je me relevai, et, à mon air, chacun prenant mon parti, s'écria qu'il était un menteur, qu'il n'était pas croyable qu'un jeune homme tel que moi eût commis la méchante action qu'il m'imputait; enfin ils soutenaient que j'étais innocent; et tandis qu'ils retenaient son cheval pour favoriser mon évasion, par malheur pour moi, le lieutenant de police suivi de ses gens passa par là; voyant tant de monde assemblé autour du cavalier et de moi, il s'approcha et demanda ce qui était arrivé. Il n'y eut personne qui n'accusât le cavalier de m'avoir maltraité injustement, sous prétexte de l'avoir volé.
«Le lieutenant de police ne s'arrêta pas à tout ce qu'on lui disait. Il demanda au cavalier s'il ne soupçonnait pas quelque autre que moi de l'avoir volé. Le cavalier répondit que non, et lui dit les raisons qu'il avait de croire qu'il ne se trompait pas dans ses soupçons. Le lieutenant de police, après l'avoir écouté, ordonna à ses gens de m'arrêter et de me fouiller, ce qu'ils se mirent en devoir d'exécuter aussitôt; et l'un d'entre eux m'ayant ôté la bourse, la montra publiquement. Je ne pus soutenir cette honte, j'en tombai évanoui. Le lieutenant de police se fit apporter la bourse.»
Mais sire, voilà le jour, dit Scheherazade en se reprenant; si votre majesté veut bien encore me laisser vivre jusqu'à demain, elle entendra la suite de cette histoire. Schahriar, qui n'avait pas un autre dessein, se leva sans lui répondre, et alla remplir ses devoirs.
Story DNA
Moral
Desperation can lead to regrettable actions, and dishonesty inevitably brings shame and severe consequences.
Plot Summary
A young man from Bagdad, having squandered his wealth on a lady, finds himself destitute. In a moment of despair, he steals a purse from a cavalier during a public spectacle. Though he initially goes unnoticed, the cavalier quickly suspects him and strikes him, leading to a public outcry where the crowd defends the young man. However, the arrival of the lieutenant of police leads to a search, the stolen purse is discovered on the young man, and he faints from shame, leaving his fate to be revealed later.
Themes
Emotional Arc
desperation to shame and despair
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 framing device of Scheherazade telling stories to Sultan Schahriar is central to its structure.
Plot Beats (11)
- The young man from Bagdad recounts how he spent all his money on a lady, leaving him penniless and hopeless.
- In despair, he leaves his khan and joins a crowd watching a spectacle near the sultan's castle.
- He notices a cavalier with a half-open bag on his saddle, revealing a purse's cord.
- A wood carrier passes, distracting the cavalier, and the young man seizes the opportunity to steal the purse.
- The cavalier, suspicious, immediately checks his bag, finds the purse missing, and strikes the young man with his battle-axe.
- The crowd intervenes, defending the young man and accusing the cavalier of unjust violence.
- The lieutenant of police arrives and inquires about the commotion.
- Despite the crowd's defense, the cavalier explains his reasons for suspicion.
- The lieutenant orders his men to search the young man, and the stolen purse is discovered.
- Overwhelmed by public shame, the young man faints.
- Scheherazade interrupts her narration as dawn breaks, promising to continue the story the next night.
Characters
The Young Man from Baghdad
Of average height and slender build, with a somewhat disheveled appearance due to his recent misfortunes. His movements are initially confident, but become hesitant and desperate as his situation worsens. He carries himself with a youthful energy that is gradually overshadowed by anxiety.
Attire: Initially, simple but respectable merchant's attire, likely a linen tunic (qamis) over loose trousers (sirwal), perhaps with a simple vest (sadriya) and a plain turban, all in muted, practical colors. As his fortunes decline, his clothes would appear more worn and less cared for, possibly stained or frayed.
Wants: To continue his lavish lifestyle and his daily visits to the lady, which requires a constant supply of money. When this supply runs out, his motivation shifts to mere survival and avoiding public shame.
Flaw: His impulsiveness and inability to control his desires, leading him to financial ruin and then to theft. He is also easily overcome by shame.
He transforms from a carefree, generous spendthrift into a desperate thief, then a publicly shamed individual. His arc is one of downfall and humiliation.
Generous (initially), desperate, impulsive, ashamed, vulnerable. He is driven by his love for the lady and his desire to maintain his lifestyle, leading him to make a desperate choice.
The Cavalier
A man of robust build, likely of average to tall height, with a commanding presence, both on and off his horse. His movements are decisive and quick, especially when reacting to the theft.
Attire: Richly and properly dressed, indicating wealth and status. He would wear a finely tailored tunic (qamis) or a caftan, possibly of silk or fine wool, in deep, rich colors, perhaps embroidered. A well-made turban (imamah) or a skullcap (taqiyah) would adorn his head. His attire would be clean and well-maintained, reflecting his social standing.
Wants: To protect his property and uphold justice, or at least his own sense of it. He is driven by the immediate need to recover his stolen purse and punish the thief.
Flaw: His quick temper and readiness to resort to violence, which initially turns the crowd against him.
He remains consistent in his character, acting as the catalyst for the protagonist's downfall and the revealer of the truth.
Suspicious, quick to anger, decisive, observant, assertive. He is not easily swayed by public opinion and trusts his own judgment.
The Lieutenant of Police
A man of authority, likely of a sturdy build, with a presence that commands respect and attention. His movements are deliberate and authoritative.
Attire: Official attire appropriate for a police lieutenant in a medieval Islamic city. This would include a well-made, perhaps dark-colored, caftan or tunic, possibly with a badge of office or specific embroidery indicating his rank. He would wear a turban or a distinctive cap. His clothing would be practical for his duties but also convey his authority.
Wants: To maintain order and administer justice fairly, based on evidence rather than popular opinion.
Flaw: None explicitly shown; he acts as a figure of impartial justice.
He serves as a catalyst for revealing the truth and administering justice, remaining consistent in his role.
Impartial, observant, decisive, methodical. He does not jump to conclusions based on public outcry but seeks evidence.
Locations
The Khan
A traditional caravanserai, likely with a central courtyard and surrounding rooms for merchants and travelers. The young man leaves it in despair.
Mood: Initially a place of commerce and hope, later becomes a place of despair and desperation for the young man.
The young man's financial ruin culminates here, leading him to leave in despair.
Outside the Sultan's Castle
A crowded public space near a grand castle, filled with people gathered to watch a spectacle provided by the Sultan of Egypt. The ground is likely unpaved earth or rough cobblestones, bustling with activity.
Mood: Lively and bustling, but quickly turns tense and accusatory.
The young man attempts to steal a purse, is caught, and publicly shamed and arrested.