CXVII NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, a smart woman told stories. Her name was Scheherazade. She told a Sultan a story.
The Young Man finished his story. He thanked The Merchant. "You are a good friend," he said. "I give you all the money."
"Let us travel as one," The Young Man said. "We can work as one. We will share our work." He had to leave his old home.
The Merchant was happy. He said yes. They traveled to many lands. They saw many new places. They were good friends.
The Young Man went home. He wanted to live far away. The Merchant stayed in this city. They were both happy.
The Merchant finished his story. He told The Sultan. "I work for you now," he said. "Is my story better? Is it more odd than the Hunchback's?"
The Sultan was very, very angry. "Your story is not good!" he said. "It is not as good. I will punish you all very much. You made me angry."
The Storyteller was very scared. "Please, calm down," he said. "I will tell a new story. It will be more pretty. It will make things better."
The Sultan thought for a moment. "Okay," he said. "Tell your story now. If good, I will not punish you."
The Storyteller began his tale. "Last night, I went to a wedding party," he said. "It was a big wedding party. A kind man asked me to come. Many big people were there."
The food was very good. There were many tasty dishes. One dish had garlic. It smelled very nice. All of them wanted to eat it.
But one man did not eat. He was The Guest. He was from Baghdad. The garlic dish was in front of him. He did not touch it. A bad thing happened before.
The Host said, "Please eat this good food!" The Guest said, "I cannot eat garlic." "You must eat it!" said The Host. The Guest agreed. "But I must wash my hands. I will wash them many times."
Scheherazade stopped her story. The sun came up. The Sultan wanted to know more. Why did The Guest do this? He waited for the next day.
Original Story
CXVII NUIT.
Le jeune homme de Bagdad, acheva de raconter son histoire de cette sorte au marchand chrétien: «Ce que vous venez d'entendre, poursuivit-il, doit m'excuser auprès de vous d'avoir mangé de la main gauche. Je vous suis fort obligé de la peine que vous vous êtes donnée pour moi. Je ne puis assez reconnaître votre fidélité, et, comme j'ai, Dieu merci, assez de biens, quoique j'en aie dépensé beaucoup, je vous prie de vouloir accepter le présent que je vous fais de la somme que vous me devez. Outre cela, j'ai une proposition à vous faire: Ne pouvant plus demeurer davantage au Caire, après l'affaire que je viens de vous conter, je suis résolu d'en partir pour n'y revenir jamais. Si vous voulez me tenir compagnie, nous négocierons ensemble et nous partagerons également le gain que nous ferons.»
«Quand le jeune homme de Bagdad eut achevé son histoire, dit le marchand chrétien, je le remerciai le mieux qu'il me fut possible du présent qu'il me faisait; et quant à sa proposition de voyager avec lui, je lui dis que je l'acceptais très-volontiers, en l'assurant que ses intérêts me seraient toujours aussi chers que les miens.
«Nous prîmes jour pour notre départ, et lorsqu'il fut arrivé nous nous mîmes en chemin. Nous avons passé par la Syrie et par la Mésopotamie, traversé toute la Perse, où, après nous être arrêtés dans plusieurs villes, sommes enfin venus, sire, jusqu'à votre capitale. Au bout de quelque temps le jeune homme m'ayant témoigné qu'il avait dessein de repasser dans la Perse et de s'y établir, nous fîmes nos comptes et nous nous séparâmes très-satisfaits l'un de l'autre. Il partit, et moi, sire, je suis resté dans cette ville, où j'ai l'honneur d'être au service de votre majesté. Voilà l'histoire que j'avais à vous raconter. Ne la trouvez-vous pas plus surprenante que celle du bossu?»
Le sultan de Casgar se mit en colère contre le marchand chrétien, «Tu es bien hardi, lui dit-il, d'oser me faire le récit d'une histoire si peu digne de mon attention et de la comparer à celle du bossu. Peux-tu te flatter de me persuader que les fades aventures d'un jeune débauché sont plus admirables que celles de mon bouffon? Je vais vous faire pendre tous quatre pour venger sa mort.»
À ces paroles, le pourvoyeur, effrayé, se jeta aux pieds du sultan: «Sire, dit-il, je supplie votre majesté de suspendre sa juste colère, de m'écouter et de nous faire grâce à tous quatre, si l'histoire que je vais conter à votre majesté est plus belle que celle du bossu. - Je t'accorde ce que tu demandes, répondit le sultan; parle.» Le pourvoyeur prit alors la parole et dit:
HISTOIRE RACONTÉE PAR LE POURVOYEUR DU SULTAN DE CASGAR. «Sire, une personne de considération m'invita hier aux noces d'une de ses filles. Je ne manquai pas de me rendre chez lui, sur le soir, à l'heure marquée, et je me trouvai dans une assemblée de docteurs, d'officiers de justice et d'autres personnes des plus distinguées de cette ville. Après les cérémonies on servit un festin magnifique, on se mit à table, et chacun mangea de ce qu'il trouva le plus à son goût. Il y avait entre autres choses une entrée accommodée avec de l'ail, qui était excellente et dont tout le monde voulait avoir, et, comme nous remarquâmes qu'un des convives ne s'empressait pas d'en manger, quoiqu'elle fût devant lui, nous l'invitâmes à mettre la main au plat et à nous imiter. Il nous conjura de ne le point presser là-dessus. «Je me garderai bien, nous dit-il, de toucher à un ragoût où il y aura de l'ail; je n'ai point oublié ce qu'il m'en coûte pour en avoir goûté autrefois.» Nous le priâmes de nous raconter ce qui lui avait causé une si grande aversion pour l'ail; mais sans lui donner le temps de nous répondre: «Est-ce ainsi, lui dit le maître de la maison, que vous faites honneur à ma table? Ce ragoût est délicieux; ne prétendez pas vous exempter d'en manger: il faut que vous me fassiez cette grâce comme les autres. - Seigneur, lui repartit le convive, qui était un marchand de Bagdad, ne croyez pas que j'en use ainsi par une fausse délicatesse; je veux bien vous obéir si vous le voulez absolument; mais ce sera à condition qu'après en avoir mangé je me laverai, s'il vous plaît, les mains quarante fois avec de l'alcali, quarante autres fois avec de la cendre de la même plante et autant de fois avec du savon: vous ne trouverez pas mauvais que j'en use ainsi, pour ne pas contrevenir au serment que j'ai fait de ne manger jamais ragoût à l'ail qu'à cette condition.»
En achevant ces paroles, Scheherazade, voyant paraître le jour, se tut, et Schahriar se leva fort curieux de savoir pourquoi ce marchand avait juré de se laver six-vingts fois après avoir mangé d'un ragoût à l'ail. La sultane contenta sa curiosité de cette sorte sur la fin de la nuit suivante:
Story DNA
Plot Summary
The Christian merchant concludes his story to the Sultan, who, unimpressed, threatens to execute him and his companions for comparing it to the Hunchback's tale. The purveyor intervenes, promising a more captivating story to save their lives. He begins his narrative about a wedding feast where a distinguished guest, a merchant from Baghdad, vehemently refuses to eat a garlic dish. When pressed by the host, the merchant agrees, but only on the condition of performing an elaborate ritual of washing his hands 120 times, hinting at a significant past event. Scheherazade ends her narration, leaving the Sultan eager to hear the reason behind the merchant's strange oath.
Themes
Emotional Arc
tension to anticipation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is part of the '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 save her life is central.
Plot Beats (13)
- The young man from Baghdad concludes his tale to the Christian merchant, explaining his left-handed eating and offering the merchant his debt as a gift.
- The young man proposes that he and the merchant travel and trade together, sharing profits, as he cannot remain in Cairo.
- The Christian merchant accepts the young man's offer, and they journey through Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia.
- After some time in the Sultan's capital, the young man decides to return to Persia, and they part ways amicably.
- The Christian merchant concludes his story to the Sultan of Casgar, expressing his honor to serve the Sultan and asking if his tale is more surprising than the Hunchback's.
- The Sultan becomes enraged, deeming the merchant's story unworthy and insulting, and threatens to hang all four men for the jester's death.
- The purveyor, terrified, begs the Sultan to suspend his anger and offers to tell a story more beautiful than the Hunchback's to earn their pardon.
- The Sultan agrees to spare them if the purveyor's story is indeed superior.
- The purveyor begins his story, recounting an invitation to a wedding feast for a person of consideration's daughter.
- At the feast, among distinguished guests, a magnificent meal is served, including an excellent garlic dish.
- One guest, a merchant from Baghdad, refuses to eat the garlic dish, citing a past costly experience.
- The host insists the merchant partake, questioning his honor, and the merchant agrees on the condition of washing his hands 40 times with alkali, 40 with ash, and 40 with soap.
- Scheherazade stops her narration as day breaks, leaving the Sultan intensely curious about the merchant's oath.
Characters
Le jeune homme de Bagdad
Of average height and build, with the typical features of a young man from Baghdad. His appearance suggests a life of some comfort despite recent misfortunes, though he might show signs of travel and weariness from his journey from Cairo.
Attire: Wears practical but well-made garments suitable for a merchant of means, likely a flowing thobe or qamis made of fine cotton or linen, possibly with a simple vest (sadriya) over it. His clothing would be clean and well-maintained, even after his travels, indicating his inherent dignity. Colors would be muted, earthy tones, perhaps a deep blue or green.
Wants: To escape his past troubles in Cairo, rebuild his fortune, and establish a new life for himself, eventually settling in Persia.
Flaw: His past actions or misfortunes in Cairo, which force him to flee and start anew.
Starts as a man fleeing his past, but through his journey and partnership, he successfully rebuilds his life and finds a new home in Persia, achieving stability and satisfaction.
Honorable, grateful, resourceful, determined, resilient.
Le marchand chrétien
A man of mature age, likely of average height and build, with features typical of a Christian merchant from the Levant or Mesopotamia. His appearance would suggest a life of travel and commerce, perhaps a bit weathered but still robust.
Attire: Wears practical but respectable merchant attire, such as a long tunic or thobe made of sturdy cotton or wool, possibly with a cloak for travel. His clothing would be modest but well-made, reflecting his honest profession. Colors would be earthy and practical, like browns, grays, or deep blues.
Wants: To conduct his business, maintain his integrity, and eventually serve the Sultan of Casgar. He is also motivated by the prospect of profitable partnership.
Flaw: Perhaps a tendency to be overly agreeable, though this also serves him well in forming alliances.
Begins as a grateful recipient of generosity, becomes a successful business partner, and ultimately finds a stable and honorable position in the Sultan's court, demonstrating his reliability and storytelling ability.
Grateful, loyal, trustworthy, agreeable, observant.
Le sultan de Casgar
A powerful and imposing figure, likely of robust build, reflecting his authority and perhaps a life of luxury. His presence would command respect and fear.
Attire: Wears magnificent, richly embroidered silk robes (kaftan or jubbah) in deep, regal colors like crimson, emerald green, or royal blue, possibly adorned with gold thread and precious stones. A jeweled turban would crown his head, signifying his supreme authority. He would wear fine leather slippers.
Wants: To be entertained by stories that he deems worthy of his attention, to uphold the memory of his buffoon, and to assert his absolute power.
Flaw: His quick temper and impatience, which lead him to make rash judgments and threats.
Remains largely unchanged, serving as the ultimate arbiter of the stories and the fate of the characters. His anger is a constant threat, but he is also open to being swayed by a truly compelling narrative.
Impatient, easily angered, demanding, proud, judgmental.
Le pourvoyeur
A man of average build, perhaps slightly portly from his profession, with features typical of a servant in a royal court. His appearance would be neat and well-maintained, reflecting his position.
Attire: Wears the formal but practical attire of a court servant responsible for provisions, likely a simple, well-made tunic (qamis) and trousers, perhaps with a short, sleeveless jacket (farajiyah) over it, in subdued colors like brown, gray, or dark blue. His clothing would be clean and respectable.
Wants: To save himself and his companions from execution by telling a story more captivating than the previous ones.
Flaw: His fear of the Sultan's wrath, which drives his actions.
Starts as a terrified man facing execution and transforms into a hopeful storyteller, using his narrative skill to avert disaster.
Fearful, quick-witted, persuasive, resourceful, observant.
Le convive (Marchand de Bagdad)
A merchant from Baghdad, likely of average height and build, with features typical of a man from that region. His appearance suggests a respectable, if somewhat particular, individual.
Attire: Wears the respectable attire of a merchant, likely a clean thobe or qamis made of good quality fabric, perhaps a light color suitable for a festive occasion. His clothing would be well-maintained.
Wants: To adhere to his solemn oath regarding garlic, even at the risk of offending his host.
Flaw: His extreme aversion to garlic, driven by a past experience, which makes him seem eccentric.
Introduced as a character whose peculiar aversion to garlic sets up the next story, revealing his backstory through his actions.
Polite, firm, principled, particular, oath-bound.
Le maître de la maison
A man of consideration, likely well-off and respected in the city. His appearance would be dignified and hospitable.
Attire: Wears fine, clean robes suitable for hosting a wedding feast, perhaps a silk kaftan in a pleasant color, indicating his wealth and social standing.
Wants: To ensure his guests honor his table and enjoy the magnificent feast he has provided.
Flaw: His insistence on traditional etiquette, which almost forces a guest into an uncomfortable situation.
A static character who serves to highlight the peculiar nature of the merchant from Baghdad.
Hospitable, proud of his table, insistent, traditional.
Scheherazade
A woman of captivating beauty and intelligence, with features typical of a Persian or Arabian princess. Her presence is graceful and alluring, yet also conveys strength and wisdom.
Attire: Wears exquisite, flowing silk robes (baju kurung or similar) in rich, jewel tones like sapphire or emerald, possibly with delicate gold embroidery or patterns. Her attire would be elegant and modest, yet subtly luxurious, reflecting her royal status and refined taste. She might wear delicate gold jewelry.
Wants: To save her own life and the lives of other women by captivating the Sultan with her stories, thereby curing him of his madness.
Flaw: Her life is constantly at stake, dependent on her ability to maintain the Sultan's interest.
The overarching protagonist whose actions drive the entire narrative framework. She is constantly evolving as she tells her stories, learning more about the Sultan and refining her craft, ultimately aiming to transform him.
Intelligent, resourceful, courageous, patient, captivating.
Schahriar
A powerful and imposing Sultan, likely of robust build, reflecting his authority and a life of luxury. His presence would be commanding, though perhaps also showing signs of his troubled past.
Attire: Wears magnificent, richly embroidered silk robes (kaftan or jubbah) in deep, regal colors like purple or black, adorned with gold thread and precious stones. A jeweled turban would crown his head, signifying his supreme authority. He would wear fine leather slippers.
Wants: Initially, to avenge his wife's infidelity by executing a new bride each night. Later, his primary motivation becomes his insatiable curiosity for Scheherazade's stories.
Flaw: His initial cruelty and quick temper, but also his profound curiosity, which Scheherazade exploits.
The primary antagonist whose character arc is the central focus of the larger narrative. He begins as a cruel tyrant but is slowly transformed by Scheherazade's stories, becoming less bloodthirsty and more humane, driven by curiosity and eventually, perhaps, love.
Cruel (initially), impatient, curious, easily angered, ultimately capable of being swayed.
Locations
Sultan's Audience Chamber in Casgar
A lavishly decorated chamber within an Abbasid-era palace, likely featuring muqarnas vaults, intricate geometric tile mosaics on the walls, and possibly a central fountain or a raised dais for the Sultan. The air is tense with the Sultan's anger.
Mood: Tense, regal, dangerous, formal
The Sultan of Casgar, enraged by the merchant's story, threatens to hang four men. The purveyor then offers to tell a better story to save their lives.
Wedding Feast Hall in Casgar
A spacious, well-appointed hall within a notable residence in Casgar, set up for a magnificent wedding feast. Guests are seated around low tables, enjoying a variety of dishes. The atmosphere is initially festive, but becomes curious and then slightly awkward around the merchant who refuses garlic.
Mood: Festive, social, curious, slightly awkward
The Sultan's purveyor attends a wedding feast where a merchant from Baghdad refuses to eat a garlic dish, claiming a solemn oath and a costly past experience related to garlic.