LVIII NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, a young traveler was on a big adventure. He was hidden in a big, soft sheepskin. A giant bird flew down. It was a very big, white bird. The bird picked him up. It took him to a high mountain. He was like a little package.
The Young Traveler got out of the sheepskin. He used a small, sharp knife. The big bird saw him. It flew away very fast. It went high in the sky. The Young Traveler was safe now. He felt happy.
He wanted to go fast. He walked a long way. He saw a big, pretty castle. Someone told him about this castle. It was very grand. He was excited to see it. He walked to the castle door.
The castle door was open. He went inside the castle. It was a very big place. It had many doors. The doors were made of wood. Some doors were shiny gold. What was behind all these doors?
He saw an open door. He went into a big room. Many friendly ladies were there. They were very pretty. They stood up. They smiled at him. "Welcome, brave friend!" they said. They were very happy to see him.
One lady spoke for all. "Welcome! You are special here." They showed him a nice, soft seat. It was a very special seat. They wanted him to sit there. He felt very important.
They took good care of him. One lady brought new, clean clothes. Another lady brought sweet water for his hands. Other ladies brought tasty food. They gave him sweet juice to drink. They were very kind. He liked their help very much.
He ate the tasty food. He drank the sweet juice. All the ladies sat around him. They wanted to hear his stories. "Tell us about your travels," they asked him. He smiled at them.
The Young Traveler began his story. He told them about the big bird. He told them about the mountain. He talked for a very long time. He talked until it was dark outside. He had many stories to share.
Original Story
LVIII NUIT.
Dinarzade ne fut pas si matineuse cette nuit que la précédente: elle ne laissa pas néanmoins d'appeler la sultane avant le jour: Si vous ne dormez pas, ma soeur, lui dit-elle, je vous prie de continuer l'histoire du troisième calender. Scheherazade la poursuivit ainsi, en faisant toujours parler le calender à Zobéide:
«Madame, un des dix seigneurs borgnes m'ayant tenu le discours que je viens de vous rapporter, je m'enveloppai dans la peau du mouton, saisi du couteau qui m'avait été donné, et après que les jeunes seigneurs eurent pris la peine de me coudre dedans, ils me laissèrent sur la place et se retirèrent dans leur salon. Le roc dont ils m'avaient parlé ne fut pas longtemps à se faire voir: il fondit sur moi, me prit entre ses griffes, comme un mouton, et me transporta au haut d'une montagne.
«Lorsque je me sentis à terre, je ne manquai pas de me servir du couteau, je fendis la peau, me développai et parus devant le roc, qui s'envola dès qu'il m'aperçut. Ce roc est un oiseau blanc d'une grandeur et d'une grosseur monstrueuse; pour sa force, elle est telle qu'il enlève les éléphants dans les plaines et les porte sur le sommet des montagnes, où il en fait sa pâture.
«Dans l'impatience que j'avais d'arriver au château, je ne perdis point de temps, et je pressai si bien le pas qu'en moins d'une demi-journée je m'y rendis, et je puis dire que je le trouvai encore plus beau qu'on ne me l'avait dépeint.
«La porte était ouverte; j'entrai dans une cour carrée, et si vaste qu'il y avait autour quatre-vingt-dix-neuf portes de bois de sandal et d'aloès, et une d'or, sans compter celles de plusieurs escaliers magnifiques qui conduisaient aux appartements d'en haut, et d'autres encore que je ne voyais pas. Les cent que je dis donnaient entrée dans des jardins ou des magasins remplis de richesses, ou enfin dans des lieux qui renfermaient des choses surprenantes à voir.
«Je vis en face une porte ouverte, par où j'entrai dans un grand salon où étaient assises quarante jeunes dames d'une beauté si parfaite que l'imagination même ne saurait aller au delà. Elles étaient habillées très-magnifiquement. Elles se levèrent toutes ensemble sitôt qu'elles m'aperçurent, et, sans attendre mon compliment, elles me dirent avec de grandes démonstrations de joie: «Brave seigneur, soyez le bienvenu, soyez le bienvenu;» et une d'entre elles prenant la parole pour les autres: «Il y a longtemps, dit-elle, que nous attendions un cavalier comme vous: votre air nous marque assez que vous avez toutes les bonnes qualités que nous pouvons souhaiter, et nous espérons que vous ne trouverez pas notre compagnie désagréable et indigne de vous.»
«Après beaucoup de résistance de ma part, elles me forcèrent de m'asseoir dans une place un peu élevée au-dessus des leurs, et comme je témoignais que cela me faisait de la peine: «C'est votre place, me dirent-elles, vous êtes de ce moment notre seigneur, notre maître et notre juge, et nous sommes vos esclaves, prêtes à recevoir vos commandements.»
«Rien au monde, madame, ne m'étonna tant que l'ardeur et l'empressement de ces belles filles à me rendre tous les services imaginables. L'une apporta de l'eau chaude et me lava les pieds; une autre me versa de l'eau de senteur sur les mains; celles-ci apportèrent tout ce qui était nécessaire pour me faire changer d'habillement; celles-là me servirent une collation magnifique, et d'autres enfin se présentèrent le verre à la main, prêtes à me verser d'un vin délicieux, et tout cela s'exécutait sans confusion, avec un ordre, une union admirable, et des manières dont j'étais charmé. Je bus et mangeai; après quoi toutes les dames s'étant placées autour de moi, me demandèrent une relation de mon voyage. Je leur fis un détail de mes aventures qui dura jusqu'à l'entrée de la nuit.»
Scheherazade s'étant arrêtée en cet endroit, sa soeur lui en demanda la raison. Ne voyez-vous pas bien qu'il est jour, répondit la sultane; pourquoi ne m'avez-vous pas plus tôt éveillée? Le sultan, à qui l'arrivée du calender au palais des quarante belles dames promettait d'agréables choses, ne voulant pas se priver du plaisir de les entendre, différa encore la mort de la sultane.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
The Third Calender, having been sewn into a sheepskin, is carried by a monstrous roc bird to a mountaintop. He escapes the sheepskin, sees the roc fly away, and quickly makes his way to a magnificent, ornate castle. Inside, he is met by forty beautiful ladies who joyfully welcome him, declare him their lord and master, and lavishly attend to his needs. As night falls, the Calender begins to recount his adventures to the eager ladies, leaving the Sultan eager for the continuation of the tale.
Themes
Emotional Arc
peril to wonder
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The framing story of Scheherazade and Dinarzade is from 'One Thousand and One Nights', a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. The tales often feature elements of magic, adventure, and exotic settings.
Plot Beats (11)
- Dinarzade wakes Scheherazade to continue the story of the Third Calender.
- The Calender, wrapped in a sheepskin, is carried by a monstrous roc to a mountaintop.
- He cuts himself free from the sheepskin and sees the roc fly away.
- Driven by impatience, he quickly reaches a magnificent castle.
- He enters the castle, noting its vast courtyard with numerous ornate doors.
- He finds forty beautiful ladies in a grand salon who welcome him joyfully.
- The ladies declare him their lord and master, insisting he take a place of honor.
- They attend to him with great care, washing his feet, offering new clothes, and serving a lavish meal and wine.
- After he eats and drinks, the ladies gather around him and request to hear his travel adventures.
- The Calender begins to recount his story, continuing until nightfall.
- Scheherazade stops the story as day breaks, and the Sultan, eager to hear more, postpones her execution.
Characters
Dinarzade
Slender build, likely of Middle Eastern descent with smooth, olive skin. Her exact height and build are not specified, but she is presented as a delicate figure.
Attire: Finely woven silk robes in rich, deep colors, possibly adorned with subtle embroidery or delicate jewelry, reflecting her status as the Sultan's sister-in-law. Her attire would be modest yet luxurious, perhaps a loose-fitting caftan or a finely draped dress.
Wants: To hear more stories and, by doing so, to prolong her sister's life. She genuinely enjoys the tales.
Flaw: Her only 'weakness' is her dependence on Scheherazade's storytelling for entertainment and her sister's survival.
Remains a static character, serving as the audience for the tales.
Curious, patient, and supportive. She acts as the catalyst for Scheherazade's storytelling, demonstrating a keen interest in the narratives.
Scheherazade
Elegant and poised, likely of Middle Eastern descent with a graceful figure. Her beauty is often implied as a factor in her survival, suggesting a captivating presence.
Attire: Luxurious and modest, consisting of finely woven silk robes or a richly embroidered caftan in vibrant colors, possibly with gold threadwork, reflecting her royal status. Her attire would be elegant and flowing, allowing for comfortable storytelling.
Wants: To save her own life and the lives of other women in the kingdom by captivating the Sultan with her stories.
Flaw: Her physical vulnerability to the Sultan's decree, which she overcomes through her intellect.
From a woman facing certain death, she transforms into a powerful figure who uses her intellect to change the Sultan's heart and save countless lives.
Intelligent, resourceful, courageous, and captivating. She uses her wit and storytelling ability to survive.
The Third Calender
A young man, likely of Middle Eastern descent, with a robust build from his travels and adventures. He is described as a 'brave seigneur,' implying a strong and capable physique. He is one of the 'ten one-eyed lords,' indicating he has lost an eye, a significant distinguishing feature.
Attire: Initially, he is wrapped in a sheepskin. Later, he would wear practical, yet fine, Middle Eastern traveler's attire, perhaps a sturdy linen tunic and trousers, with a cloak for protection. Upon entering the palace, he would be offered magnificent new clothes, likely rich silk robes in vibrant colors, possibly a turban, reflecting his newfound status.
Wants: To explore, seek fortune, and overcome the challenges presented by his adventures. He is driven by curiosity and a desire for a better life.
Flaw: His trust in others, which sometimes leads him into perilous situations (e.g., being sewn into a sheepskin).
He is currently in the midst of his journey, moving from one extraordinary situation to another, seeking his fortune and a place of belonging.
Resourceful, brave, adventurous, and somewhat naive. He readily accepts help and is easily astonished by new experiences.
The Roc (Bird)
A monstrously large white bird, capable of lifting elephants. Its size is immense, with powerful talons and a vast wingspan.
Attire: Its natural plumage of white feathers.
Wants: To hunt and feed on large prey, such as elephants.
Flaw: Its inability to distinguish between a real sheep and a man disguised as one, allowing the Calender to escape.
A static force of nature, serving as a plot device for the Calender's transportation.
Instinct-driven, predatory, and powerful. It acts solely on its need for food.
The Forty Young Ladies
Forty women of perfect beauty, likely of Middle Eastern descent, with varied but equally captivating features. They are described as being 'magnificently' dressed, implying a graceful and elegant appearance.
Attire: Magnificent and luxurious Middle Eastern court attire. They would wear flowing silk gowns or richly embroidered caftans in a spectrum of vibrant colors, possibly adorned with gold thread, pearls, and precious stones. Their clothing would be of the finest fabrics, such as brocade and velvet, reflecting immense wealth.
Wants: To serve and entertain their new master, the Calender, whom they have long awaited.
Flaw: Their collective dependence on a male figure to lead them, as they have been awaiting a 'cavalier' like him.
They remain static, serving as the welcoming committee and subjects for the Calender.
Welcoming, eager to please, hospitable, and submissive (to their new 'lord'). They are united in their purpose and actions.
Locations
Summit of a Mountain
A high, desolate mountain peak where the monstrous white roc bird brings its prey. The ground is rugged and exposed.
Mood: Desolate, perilous, isolated.
The Calender is dropped here by the roc after being carried from the valley, and he escapes the sheepskin.
Courtyard of the Palace of Forty Ladies
A vast, square courtyard leading into a magnificent palace. It features ninety-nine doors made of sandalwood and aloes wood, and one door of gold, along with entrances to several grand staircases. These doors lead to gardens, treasure stores, or other surprising places.
Mood: Grand, mysterious, inviting, opulent.
The Calender arrives at the palace and enters through an open door into this courtyard, marveling at its grandeur.
Grand Salon of the Palace
A large, opulent salon where forty beautiful young ladies are seated. It is magnificently furnished, with a slightly elevated seat reserved for the Calender.
Mood: Luxurious, welcoming, enchanting, mysterious.
The Calender is welcomed by the forty ladies, served a collation, and recounts his adventures to them.