CXXXIX NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
A young man needed a shave. He called for the barber. The Young Man needed a shave. He called for The Barber. The Barber came to his house. The Young Man felt tired. He just wanted a quick shave. He did not want to wait.
The Young Man called The Barber a talker. The Barber did not like this. He shook his head. "I am not a talker," he said. "I am quiet. My six brothers talk much. Their names are Bacbouc and Bakbarah. Also Bakbac, Alcouz, Alnaschar, Schacabac. They talk very much. They never stop. I am quiet."
The Young Man was very cross. He sighed loudly. The Barber talked too much. "Take these coins," he said. "Go away now. Do not shave me today. Please leave me alone."
The Barber did not go. He stood his ground. "No," he said. "You called me. I will shave you. I will not leave. I am a good barber. I know my work. Your father knew this. He liked my smart words."
The Barber talked about The Young Man's Father. He smiled. "He liked my stories," The Barber said. "He asked me to sit. He wanted to hear them. I told him many good ideas. He loved my talking. He said, 'You are so smart!'"
"He gave me gifts," The Barber said. "He was very kind. He gave me nice clothes. He gave me many coins. I also did other special things. I helped him feel good. He was very happy with me. He always smiled."
The Barber talked more. He did not stop. He talked for a long time. He talked and talked. The Young Man felt very tired. His head hurt. He just wanted it to stop.
The Young Man was very, very cross. He was so tired. He cried out loud. His voice was loud. "No one talks like you!" he said. "You make people so unhappy. You like to make them cross!"
The sun came up. The story stopped for the night. The Barber was still talking. He never stopped. The Young Man was still tired.
Original Story
CXXXIX NUIT.
Le jeune boiteux continuant son histoire: «Seigneur, me répliqua le barbier, vous me faites une injure en m'appelant babillard: tout le monde, au contraire, me donne l'honorable titre de silencieux. J'avais six frères que vous auriez pu avec raison appeler babillards, et afin que vous les connaissiez, l'aîné se nommait Bacbouc, le second Bakbarah, le troisième Bakbac, le quatrième Alcouz, le cinquième Alnaschar, et le sixième Schacabac. C'étaient des discoureurs importuns; mais moi qui suis leur cadet, je suis grave et concis dans mes discours.»
«De grâce, mes seigneurs, mettez-vous à ma place: quel parti pouvais-je prendre en me voyant si cruellement assassiné? «Donnez- lui trois pièces d'or, dis-je à celui de mes esclaves qui faisait la dépense de ma maison; qu'il s'en aille et me laisse en repos; je ne veux plus me faire raser aujourd'hui. - Seigneur, me dit alors le barbier, qu'entendez-vous, s'il vous plaît, par ce discours? Ce n'est pas moi qui suis venu vous chercher, c'est vous qui m'avez fait venir; et cela étant ainsi, je jure, foi de musulman, que je ne sortirai point de chez vous que je ne vous aie rasé. Si vous ne connaissez pas ce que je vaux, ce n'est pas ma faute. Feu monsieur votre père me rendait plus de justice. Toutes les fois qu'il m'envoyait quérir pour lui tirer du sang, il me faisait asseoir auprès de lui, et alors c'était un charme d'entendre les belles choses dont je l'entretenais. Je le tenais dans une admiration continuelle; je l'enlevais, et quand j'avais achevé: «Ah! s'écriait-il, vous êtes une source inépuisable de sciences! personne n'approche de la profondeur de votre savoir. - Mon cher seigneur, lui répondais-je, vous me faites plus d'honneur que je ne mérite. Si je dis quelque chose de beau, j'en suis redevable à l'audience favorable que vous avez la bonté de me donner: ce sont vos libéralités qui m'inspirent toutes ces pensées sublimes qui ont le bonheur de vous plaire. Un jour qu'il était charmé d'un discours admirable que je venais de lui faire:
«Qu'on lui donne, dit-il, cent pièces d'or, et qu'on le revêtisse d'une de mes plus riches robes.» Je reçus ce présent sur-le-champ; aussitôt je tirai son horoscope, et je le trouvai le plus heureux du monde. Je poussai même encore plus loin la reconnaissance, car je lui tirai du sang avec les ventouses.»
«Il n'en demeura pas là: il enfila un autre discours qui dura une grosse demi-heure. Fatigué de l'entendre et chagrin de voir que le temps s'écoulait sans que j'en fusse plus avancé, je ne savais plus que lui dire. «Non, m'écriai-je, il n'est pas possible qu'il y ait au monde un autre homme qui se fasse comme vous un plaisir de faire enrager les gens.»
La clarté du jour, qui se faisait voir dans l'appartement de Schahriar, obligea Scheherazade à s'arrêter en cet endroit. Le lendemain elle continua son récit de cette manière:
Story DNA
Moral
null
Plot Summary
A young lame man recounts his frustrating encounter with a barber who, despite claiming to be silent, launches into an endless, self-aggrandizing monologue. The client's attempts to pay the barber to leave are futile, as the barber insists on completing the shave and recounts a lengthy, embellished story about his esteemed relationship with the client's deceased father. The client's exasperation reaches its peak as the barber continues to talk without end, leading to an outburst before the story is interrupted by dawn.
Themes
Emotional Arc
annoyance to exasperation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is an excerpt from One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights), specifically part of 'The Barber's Tale of Himself' within 'The Hunchback's Tale'. The narrative structure of nested stories is characteristic of this collection.
Plot Beats (9)
- The young lame man (narrator within the frame story) continues his tale about a barber.
- The barber, offended by being called a 'babbler', claims to be 'silent' and introduces his six truly talkative brothers as a contrast.
- The client, exasperated by the barber's incessant talking, offers him three gold pieces to leave and not shave him today.
- The barber refuses, stating he was called by the client and will not leave until the shave is complete, asserting his own worth.
- The barber then launches into a lengthy anecdote about how the client's deceased father highly valued his wisdom and rewarded him generously for his conversations and services.
- The barber describes how the father would give him 100 gold pieces and a rich robe after a particularly admirable discourse, and how he would then draw his horoscope and blood.
- The barber continues with another long discourse for half an hour.
- The client, utterly fatigued and frustrated by the barber's unending speech, cries out that no one else could enjoy enraging people as much as he does.
- Scheherazade's narration is interrupted by the dawn, to be continued the next night.
Characters
The Young Cripple (Le jeune boiteux)
A young man with a noticeable limp or other physical disability that causes him to be called 'cripple'. His build is likely slender or average, not robust, given his condition. His skin tone would be consistent with a man from the Middle East, possibly olive to light brown.
Attire: As a character in the Arabian Nights, he would likely wear a simple, practical thobe or tunic made of linen or cotton, possibly in muted colors like cream, beige, or light blue. He might have a simple head covering like a kufi or a small turban.
Wants: To share his story and perhaps to find a resolution or understanding for his past misfortunes.
Flaw: His physical disability and his tendency to be easily frustrated by verbose individuals.
In this snippet, he is merely narrating, so his personal arc is not evident. He serves as a vehicle for the story.
Patient (to a point), somewhat resigned, easily exasperated, and a good storyteller himself, as he is narrating this tale.
The Barber (Le barbier)
A man of indeterminate age, likely middle-aged, with a presence that suggests he is accustomed to being heard. His build is not specified, but he is active in his profession. His skin tone would be consistent with a man from the Middle East, possibly olive to light brown.
Attire: He would wear practical but respectable clothing for his trade in an Arabian setting, likely a clean, simple thobe or tunic made of cotton or linen, perhaps in white or light colors. He might have a small, practical turban or head covering.
Wants: To be recognized for his supposed wisdom and eloquence, to receive praise and reward, and to complete his task (shaving) on his own terms.
Flaw: His insatiable need to talk and his inability to perceive or care about others' discomfort, which often leads to him being disliked.
In this snippet, he remains unchanged, steadfast in his loquaciousness and self-perception. He is a static character representing an obstacle.
Extremely loquacious, self-important, boastful, persistent, manipulative (using flattery and guilt), oblivious to others' exasperation, and somewhat arrogant.
The Young Cripple's Father
An older man, likely of some means, given his ability to reward the barber generously. His physical description is not detailed, but he would have the appearance of an elder from the Middle East.
Attire: As a man of means, he would wear fine, but era-appropriate, clothing. Perhaps a thobe made of finer linen or silk, possibly with subtle embroidery, and a more elaborate turban than a commoner, perhaps in a rich color.
Wants: To be entertained, to receive good service (bloodletting), and to show generosity.
Flaw: Susceptible to flattery and long-winded tales.
He is a static character, only appearing in flashback as a point of comparison for the barber's current client.
Generous, appreciative of flattery, patient with the barber's long discourses, and seemingly charmed by his stories.
Scheherazade
A woman of extraordinary beauty and intelligence, as described in the larger frame story of the Arabian Nights. Her build is graceful and elegant. Her skin tone would be consistent with a woman from the Middle East, likely fair to olive.
Attire: As a queen, she would wear exquisite, luxurious garments. These would be flowing silk or fine linen dresses (like a thobe or kaftan) in rich colors, possibly embroidered with gold or silver thread, and adorned with precious jewels. She might wear a delicate headscarf or veil, or an ornate diadem.
Wants: To survive by entertaining the Sultan and to ultimately cure him of his madness by telling stories that teach him wisdom and compassion.
Flaw: Her life is constantly at risk, dependent on her ability to keep the Sultan engaged.
Her arc is ongoing in the larger frame story; in this snippet, she is simply continuing her nightly ritual.
Intelligent, resourceful, courageous, captivating, patient, and an unparalleled storyteller.
Schahriar
A powerful Sultan, likely with a commanding presence. His build would be strong and regal. His skin tone would be consistent with a man from the Middle East, likely olive to light brown.
Attire: As a Sultan, he would wear opulent royal attire. This would include flowing robes of rich fabrics like silk or brocade, in deep jewel tones, often embroidered with gold or silver, and adorned with precious stones. He would wear a jeweled turban or crown.
Wants: To be entertained and to hear the continuation of Scheherazade's stories.
Flaw: His initial cruelty and his susceptibility to Scheherazade's narrative prowess.
In this snippet, he is merely an audience. His larger arc involves being transformed by Scheherazade's stories from a cruel tyrant to a wise and just ruler.
Initially cruel and distrustful (in the larger story), but in this context, he is patient, intrigued, and captivated by Scheherazade's storytelling.
Locations
Schahriar's Royal Apartment
A lavish private chamber within a grand Arabian palace, likely adorned with intricate geometric tile mosaics, rich textiles, and possibly muqarnas vaults. The early morning light begins to filter in, illuminating the opulent decor.
Mood: Intimate, yet formal and suspenseful, as Scheherazade tells her tales to the Sultan.
Scheherazade pauses her story as dawn breaks, marking the end of another night's tale.
The Young Cripple's House (Barber's Story Setting)
A private residence in an Arabian city, likely featuring a central courtyard (riad style) and rooms with cool, plastered walls. The specific room where the barber is called to shave the young cripple would be a reception or private chamber, simply furnished but comfortable.
Mood: Initially mundane, then increasingly exasperated and frustrating due to the barber's incessant talking.
The setting for the barber's long-winded story, where he recounts his encounter with the young cripple and his refusal to leave until he has shaved him.