CXXIV NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Once there was a happy merchant. He would marry a beautiful lady!
The Merchant was very happy. He smiled a lot. He stayed in a big palace. It had many rooms. It had a lovely garden. He would marry The Lady soon. The Lady was kind. She had a sweet smile. She made him feel good. He stayed there ten days.
The Queen liked The Lady. The Queen was happy for them. The Queen talked to The King. The King was happy too. The King said "Yes!" to the wedding. He gave The Lady money. They were happy.
They planned a big party. The party lasted nine days. Music played loudly. People laughed and sang. Everyone danced. Everyone was happy.
It was the wedding day. The Merchant ate dinner. He ate a special soup. The soup was hot. It tasted very good. The soup had garlic. He loved the soup. He finished his bowl. He wanted more soup. He ate it all. He ate so much.
The Merchant finished his soup. His hands smelled like garlic. The smell was strong. He did not think about it. He did not wash his hands. He just wiped them. He did not use soap. Oh dear, he forgot!
There was more music. People danced and danced. The Lady wore many dresses. She wore a red dress. Then she wore a blue dress. She looked like a princess. She looked very beautiful.
It was very late. The palace was quiet. The stars shone outside. The Merchant and The Lady went inside. They went to their room. They were alone.
The Merchant wanted to hug The Lady. He came close. She smelled his hands. His hands smelled bad. The Lady did not like it. "Oh no!" she screamed. She pushed him. She pushed him away.
Other ladies ran in. The Lady was very angry. Her face was red. She stamped her foot. "He smells like garlic!" she cried. "His hands are not clean!" she said.
The Lady pointed at The Merchant. "Take him away!" she said. "Make him wash his hands! He must be clean!" The Merchant was surprised. He felt very small. The ladies took him. They took him out of the room.
The Lady was still angry. She shouted loudly. "He must wash his hands!" she said. "Wash them one hundred times!" "No garlic smell!"
The Merchant was very sad. He hung his head. "Oh, my garlic soup!" he thought. "I wish I washed my hands!" He learned a lesson. He would not forget.
Wash hands! Always after smelly food!
Original Story
CXXIV NUIT.
«Je demeurai dix jours dans l'appartement des dames du calife, continua le marchand de Bagdad. Durant tout ce temps-là je fus privé du plaisir de voir la dame favorite; mais on me traita si bien par son ordre, que j'eus sujet d'ailleurs d'être très- satisfait.
«Zobéide entretint le calife de la résolution qu'elle avait prise de marier sa favorite, et ce prince, en lui laissant la liberté de faire là-dessus ce qui lui plairait, accorda une somme considérable à la favorite pour contribuer de sa part à son établissement. Les dix jours écoulés, Zobéide fit dresser le contrat de mariage, qui lui fut apporté en bonne forme. Les préparatifs des noces se firent, on appela les musiciens, les danseurs et les danseuses, et il y eut pendant neuf jours de grandes réjouissances dans le palais. Le dixième jour étant destiné pour la dernière cérémonie du mariage, la dame favorite fut conduite au bain d'un côté et moi de l'autre, et, sur le soir, m'étant mis à table, on me servit toutes sortes de mets et de ragoûts, entre autres un ragoût à l'ail comme celui dont on vient de me forcer de manger. Je le trouvai si bon que je ne touchai presque point aux autres mets. Mais, pour mon malheur, m'étant levé de table, je me contentai de m'essuyer les mains au lieu de les bien laver, et c'était une négligence qui ne m'était jamais arrivée jusqu'alors.
«Comme il était nuit, on suppléa à la clarté du jour par une grande illumination dans l'appartement des dames. Les instruments se firent entendre, on dansa, on fit mille jeux, tout le palais retentissait de cris de joie. On nous introduisit, ma femme et moi, dans une grande salle, où l'on nous fit asseoir sur deux trônes. Les femmes qui la servaient lui firent changer plusieurs fois d'habits et lui peignirent le visage de différentes manières, selon la coutume pratiquée au jour des noces, et chaque fois qu'on lui changeait d'habillement, on me la faisait voir.
«Enfin toutes ces cérémonies finirent, et l'on nous conduisit dans la chambre nuptiale. D'abord qu'on nous y eut laissés seuls, je m'approchai de mon épouse pour l'embrasser; mais au lieu de répondre à mes transports, elle me repoussa fortement et se mit à faire des cris épouvantables, qui attirèrent bientôt dans la chambre toutes les dames de l'appartement, qui voulurent savoir le sujet de ses cris. Pour moi, saisi d'un long étonnement, j'étais demeuré immobile, sans avoir eu seulement la force de lui en demander la cause. «Notre chère soeur, lui dirent-elles, que vous est-il arrivé depuis le peu de temps que nous vous avons quittée? Apprenez-le-nous, afin que nous vous secourions. - Ôtez, s'écria- t-elle, ôtez-moi de devant les yeux ce vilain homme que voilà. - Hé! madame, lui dis-je, en quoi puis-je avoir eu le malheur de mériter votre colère? - Vous êtes un vilain, me répondit-elle en furie, vous avez mangé de l'ail et vous ne vous êtes pas lavé les mains! Croyez-vous que je veuille souffrir qu'un homme si malpropre s'approche de moi pour m'empester? - Couchez-le par terre, ajouta-t-elle en s'adressant aux dames, et qu'on m'apporte un nerf de boeuf.» Elles me renversèrent aussitôt, et tandis que les unes me tenaient par les bras et les autres par les pieds, ma femme, qui avait été servie en diligence, me frappa impitoyablement jusqu'à ce que les forces lui manquèrent. Alors elle dit aux dames: «Prenez-le, qu'on l'envoie au lieutenant de police, et qu'on lui fasse couper la main dont il a mangé du ragoût à l'ail.»
«À ces paroles, je m'écriai: «Grand Dieu! je suis rompu et brisé de coups, et pour surcroît d'affliction on me condamne encore à avoir la main coupée; et pourquoi? pour avoir mangé d'un ragoût à l'ail et avoir oublié de me laver les mains! Quelle colère pour un si petit sujet! Peste soit du ragoût à l'ail! Maudits soient le cuisinier qui l'a apprêté et celui qui l'a servi!»
La sultane Scheherazade, remarquant qu'il était jour, s'arrêta en cet endroit. Schahriar se leva en riant de toute sa force de la colère de la dame favorite, et fort curieux d'apprendre le dénouement de cette histoire.
Story DNA
Moral
Even minor breaches of etiquette can lead to disproportionate consequences in certain social contexts.
Plot Summary
A merchant, set to marry the Caliph's favorite lady, enjoys a garlic stew at his wedding feast and neglects to properly wash his hands. On their wedding night, his new wife is so repulsed by the smell of garlic and his unwashed hands that she screams, calls in her attendants, orders him to be severely beaten, and then demands that his hand be cut off as punishment. The story ends with the merchant lamenting his dire fate, leaving the outcome of the punishment unresolved.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anticipation to shock to suffering
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story is part of The Arabian Nights (One Thousand and One Nights), a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. The Caliph Harun al-Rashid and his wife Zobeide are historical figures, often featured in these tales, though the events are fictionalized. The severity of punishment reflects certain historical legal practices, though exaggerated for narrative effect here.
Plot Beats (12)
- The merchant of Baghdad recounts his ten days in the Caliph's palace, being well-treated in anticipation of his marriage to the favorite lady.
- Zobeide, the Caliph's wife, arranges the marriage, and the Caliph grants a sum to the favorite.
- A marriage contract is drawn, and nine days of grand festivities commence in the palace.
- On the tenth day, the final wedding ceremony takes place, and the merchant is served a delicious garlic stew, which he enjoys immensely.
- After eating, the merchant carelessly wipes his hands instead of washing them thoroughly.
- Elaborate night ceremonies follow, with music, dancing, and the bride changing outfits multiple times.
- The couple is finally led to the nuptial chamber and left alone.
- The merchant approaches his wife to embrace her, but she screams and repulses him.
- The other ladies rush in, and the wife furiously denounces the merchant for smelling of garlic and having unwashed hands.
- She orders the ladies to throw him to the ground and beat him with a bull's nerve.
- After beating him until she is exhausted, she commands that his hand, which ate the garlic stew, be cut off.
- The merchant cries out in despair, cursing the garlic stew and its preparation, as Scheherazade stops her narration.
Characters
The Merchant of Baghdad
A man of average height and build, likely with features common to a merchant from Baghdad of the era – possibly a darker complexion, dark hair, and a well-groomed beard, though specific details are not provided.
Attire: During his stay in the Caliph's palace, he would wear fine, but not overly ostentatious, garments. Perhaps a simple, well-made thobe or qamis of linen or fine cotton, possibly with a light outer robe (aba) and a simple turban or kufi, in muted colors like cream, beige, or light blue.
Wants: To enjoy the pleasures offered by the Caliph's palace, to marry the favorite lady, and to avoid punishment.
Flaw: Forgetfulness, lack of attention to hygiene, and a strong aversion to garlic stew after his experience.
He goes from a state of blissful satisfaction and anticipation of marriage to utter bewilderment, pain, and fear, learning a harsh lesson about hygiene and the severe consequences of minor transgressions in the Caliph's court.
Oblivious, easily satisfied, gluttonous (for the garlic stew), forgetful, bewildered, fearful, prone to exclamations of despair.
The Favorite Lady
A woman of exquisite beauty, as befits a Caliph's favorite, likely with features common to women of the Abbasid Caliphate – perhaps fair skin, dark hair, and expressive eyes. Her appearance is meticulously groomed and adorned for her wedding.
Attire: During the wedding ceremony, she changes her clothes multiple times. These would be luxurious, flowing garments made of silk and brocade, richly embroidered with gold and silver threads, in vibrant colors like emerald green, sapphire blue, or ruby red. She would wear a variety of elaborate head coverings and veils, and extensive jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, earrings, anklets).
Wants: To maintain her personal standards of hygiene and purity, and to punish those who violate them.
Flaw: Her extreme intolerance for perceived uncleanliness, which leads to disproportionate and violent reactions.
She remains consistent in her character, revealing her extreme fastidiousness and cruelty on her wedding night, which serves as a shocking revelation for the merchant.
Fastidious, easily enraged, unforgiving, cruel, demanding, authoritative, obsessed with cleanliness.
Zobeide
As the Caliph's wife, Zobeide would be a woman of mature beauty and regal bearing, likely with features consistent with a high-ranking lady of the Abbasid court – perhaps a graceful figure, dark hair, and elegant hands.
Attire: She would wear the finest court attire, such as a richly embroidered silk jallabiya or kaftan, possibly in deep jewel tones like royal blue or purple, with a matching veil and elaborate gold jewelry, including a jeweled diadem or headpiece.
Wants: To ensure the well-being and happiness of her favorite lady by arranging a suitable marriage.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, but perhaps a lack of foresight regarding the favorite lady's extreme personality.
She remains a static character, acting as the catalyst for the marriage but not directly involved in the conflict.
Benevolent (towards her favorite), influential, decisive, generous (in arranging the marriage and providing for the favorite).
The Caliph
A powerful and wealthy ruler, likely with a commanding presence. His features would be those of a respected monarch from the Abbasid era, possibly with a well-groomed beard and dignified expression.
Attire: He would wear the most luxurious court robes, such as a flowing thobe or dishdasha made of the finest silk, possibly in white or cream, with a richly embroidered outer cloak (bisht) in a dark color like black or deep red, adorned with gold thread. A jeweled turban would complete his attire.
Wants: To maintain harmony in his household and to provide for his favorite.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, but perhaps a tendency to delegate personal matters to Zobeide.
A static character, his role is to grant permission and resources.
Generous, permissive (towards Zobeide), amused (by the story).
Locations
Apartment of the Caliph's Ladies
A lavish, private living space within an Arabian palace, likely adorned with rich textiles, cushions, and intricate geometric patterns. During the wedding festivities, it is brightly illuminated at night.
Mood: Initially comfortable and hospitable, later filled with festive joy and music, then abruptly shifting to shock and fury.
The merchant resides here for ten days, is treated well, and witnesses the initial wedding preparations and festivities.
Grand Hall of the Palace
A large, ceremonial space within the Arabian palace, designed for grand gatherings and celebrations. It is brightly lit and filled with music and dancing during the wedding.
Mood: Joyful, celebratory, bustling with activity and music.
The bride and groom are presented here, seated on thrones, while the bride undergoes ceremonial changes of attire and facial painting.
Nuptial Chamber
A private bedroom within the Caliph's palace, intended for the newly married couple. It is initially private but quickly becomes a scene of confrontation and violence.
Mood: Initially intimate and expectant, rapidly turning to shock, terror, and violent rage.
The merchant attempts to embrace his new wife, leading to her furious rejection, the arrival of the other ladies, and his brutal beating and condemnation.