LXXVI NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Long, long ago, a wise man told a story. It was about a young man named Bedreddin. He lived in a big city.
Bedreddin was very sad and felt alone. He walked slowly outside the city walls. A kind man came to him. His name was Isaac. Isaac was a merchant. He saw Bedreddin looking sad.
Isaac spoke to Bedreddin. "Hello, young man," he said. "Why are you out here all alone? You look very sad." Bedreddin looked at Isaac's kind face.
Bedreddin told Isaac his sad story. "I had a sad dream last night," he said. "My father was in the dream. My father had passed away. I miss him. I go to his tomb now. I will pray there."
Isaac had an idea. "Your father had many ships," he said. "They carried many goods. I want to buy those goods. I will buy from your first ship to arrive. I will give you much money now. I have the money here."
Bedreddin was very sad. He had no money at all. Isaac's offer was a very good thing for him. Bedreddin felt a little happy. "Yes," he said. "I will take your kind offer!"
Isaac gave Bedreddin the money. It was a big bag of coins. He then asked for a paper.
Bedreddin took a pen. He wrote on the paper. He signed his name clearly.
Isaac left quickly. Bedreddin put the money away. Then he went to his father's tomb.
At the tomb, Bedreddin knelt down. He cried many tears. He felt very, very sad about his father.
Bedreddin was very sad and very tired. He lay down. He fell asleep on the tomb.
A magical friend lived in the cemetery. He was a kind friend. He saw Bedreddin sleeping there.
The magical friend went into the tomb. He saw Bedreddin's face. He saw how handsome Bedreddin was.
Bedreddin was sleeping. A magical friend saw him. What will happen next? We will find out another day!
Original Story
LXXVI NUIT.
Sire, dit-elle, le calife écoutait avec beaucoup d'attention le grand vizir Giafar, qui continua de cette manière: «Le juif, poursuivit-il, qui se nommait Isaac, après avoir salué Bedreddin Hassan et lui avoir baisé la main, lui dit: «Seigneur, oserais-je prendre la liberté de vous demander où vous allez à l'heure qu'il est, seul en apparence, un peu agité? Y a-t-il quelque chose qui vous fasse de la peine? - Oui, répondit Bedreddin; je me suis endormi tantôt, et dans mon sommeil mon père s'est apparu à moi. Il avait le regard terrible, comme s'il eût été dans une grande colère contre moi. Je me suis réveillé en sursaut et plein d'effroi, et je suis parti aussitôt pour venir faire ma prière sur son tombeau. - Seigneur, reprit le juif, qui ne pouvait pas savoir pourquoi Bedreddin Hassan était sorti de la ville, comme le feu grand vizir votre père et mon seigneur d'heureuse mémoire avait chargé en marchandises plusieurs vaisseaux qui sont encore en mer et qui vous appartiennent, je vous supplie de m'accorder la préférence sur tout autre marchand. Je suis en état d'acheter argent comptant la charge de tous vos vaisseaux; et pour commencer, si vous voulez bien m'abandonner celle du premier qui arrivera à bon port, je vais vous compter mille sequins. Je les ai ici dans une bourse, et je suis prêt à vous les livrer d'avance.» En disant cela il tira une grande bourse qu'il avait sous son bras, par-dessous sa robe, et la lui montra cachetée de son cachet.
«Bedreddin Hassan, dans l'état où il était, chassé de chez lui et dépouillé de tout ce qu'il avait au monde, regarda la proposition du juif comme une faveur du ciel. Il ne manqua pas de l'accepter avec beaucoup de joie. «Seigneur, lui dit alors le juif, vous me donnez donc pour mille sequin le chargement du premier de vos vaisseaux qui arrivera dans ce port. - Oui, je vous le vends mille sequins, répondit Bedreddin Hassan, et c'est une chose faite.» Le juif, aussitôt, lui mit entre les mains la bourse de mille sequins, en s'offrant de les compter. Mais Bedreddin lui en épargna la peine en lui disant qu'il s'en fiait bien à lui. «Puisque cela est ainsi, reprit le juif, ayez la bonté, seigneur, de me donner un mot d'écrit du marché que nous venons de faire.» En disant cela, il tira son écritoire qu'il avait à la ceinture, et après en avoir pris une petite canne bien taillée pour écrire, il la lui présenta avec un morceau de papier qu'il trouva dans son porte-lettres, et pendant qu'il tenait le cornet, Bedreddin Hassan écrivit ces mots:
«Cet écrit est pour rendre témoignage que Bedreddin Hassan de Balsora a vendu au juif Isaac, pour la somme de mille sequins qu'il a reçus, le chargement du premier de ses navires qui abordera dans ce port.
«BEDREDDIN HASSAN DE BALSORA.»
«Après avoir fait cet écrit, il le donna au juif, qui le mit dans son porte-lettres, et qui prit ensuite congé de lui. Pendant qu'Isaac poursuivait son chemin vers la ville, Bedreddin Hassan continua le sien vers le tombeau de son père Noureddin Ali. En y arrivant, il se prosterna la face contre terre, et, les yeux baignés de larmes, il se mit à déplorer sa misère. «Hélas! disait- il, infortuné Bedreddin, que vas-tu devenir? Où iras-tu chercher un asile contre l'injuste prince qui te persécute? N'était-ce pas assez d'être affligé de la mort d'un père si chéri? Fallait-il que la fortune ajoutât un nouveau malheur à mes justes regrets?» Il demeura longtemps dans cet état; mais enfin il se releva, et ayant appuyé sa tête sur le sépulcre de son père, ses douleurs se renouvelèrent avec plus de violence qu'auparavant, et il ne cessa de soupirer et de se plaindre jusqu'à ce que, succombant au sommeil, il leva la tête de dessus le sépulcre et s'étendit tout de son long sur le pavé, où il s'endormit.
«Il goûtait à peine la douceur du repos, lorsqu'un génie qui avait établi sa retraite dans ce cimetière pendant le jour, se disposant à courir le monde cette nuit, selon sa coutume, aperçut ce jeune homme dans le tombeau de Noureddin Ali. Il y entra; et comme Bedreddin était couché sur le dos, il fut frappé, ébloui de l'éclat de sa beauté…» Le jour qui paraissait ne permit pas à Scheherazade de poursuivre cette histoire cette nuit: mais le lendemain, à l'heure ordinaire, elle la continua de cette sorte:
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Exiled and grieving his father, Bedreddin Hassan encounters the cunning merchant Isaac, who offers a thousand sequins for the cargo of Bedreddin's first arriving ship. Desperate, Bedreddin agrees and signs a contract. He then goes to his father's tomb to mourn, where he eventually falls asleep from exhaustion. A genie, residing in the cemetery, discovers Bedreddin and is captivated by his beauty, setting the stage for a new development in his unfortunate journey.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to potential relief
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 the Caliph is central to the collection.
Plot Beats (13)
- The grand vizier Giafar narrates a story to the Caliph.
- Bedreddin Hassan, exiled and agitated, is approached by the Jewish merchant Isaac.
- Isaac asks Bedreddin why he is out alone and agitated.
- Bedreddin explains he had a terrifying dream about his deceased father and is going to pray at his tomb.
- Isaac, feigning ignorance of Bedreddin's exile, offers to buy the cargo of Bedreddin's first arriving ship for a thousand sequins.
- Bedreddin, desperate and penniless, accepts the offer, seeing it as a gift from heaven.
- Isaac immediately gives Bedreddin the thousand sequins and requests a written agreement.
- Bedreddin writes and signs a document confirming the sale of his ship's cargo to Isaac.
- Isaac departs, and Bedreddin continues to his father's tomb.
- At the tomb, Bedreddin prostrates himself, weeping and lamenting his misfortunes and the injustice of the prince.
- Overcome by grief and exhaustion, Bedreddin eventually falls asleep on his father's tomb.
- A genie, who resides in the cemetery during the day, discovers Bedreddin sleeping.
- The genie enters the tomb and is struck by Bedreddin's beauty.
Characters
Bedreddin Hassan
Of striking beauty, described as 'éclat de sa beauté' (radiant beauty) by a genie, implying a well-proportioned and attractive physique. He is likely of average height and build for a young man from Basra.
Attire: Though currently 'chassé de chez lui et dépouillé de tout ce qu'il avait au monde' (driven from his home and stripped of everything), he would originally have worn the fine, flowing robes of a wealthy merchant's son from Basra, likely made of silk or fine cotton, perhaps a thobe or a kaftan, with a sash and a turban. In his current state, his clothes might be somewhat disheveled or simpler, but still indicative of his former status.
Wants: To honor his father's memory, to find solace and a way to survive after being dispossessed, and to escape persecution.
Flaw: His trusting nature and desperation make him vulnerable to exploitation. His grief can overwhelm him, leading to poor judgment.
At the beginning of this segment, he is in a state of profound grief and destitution. He makes a questionable deal out of desperation and seeks solace at his father's tomb, where he falls asleep. His arc is just beginning, moving from despair to an unknown future.
Grief-stricken, trusting (easily trusts Isaac), somewhat naive (accepts Isaac's offer readily), desperate (views Isaac's offer as divine favor), respectful (prays at his father's tomb).
Isaac
His physical description is not explicitly given, but as a Jewish merchant in an Arabian Nights setting, he would likely be of a lean or average build, with features typical of a Middle Eastern man. He carries a large purse and an inkwell, suggesting a practical and prepared individual.
Attire: Wears a robe, under which he conceals a large purse. His attire would be practical and respectable for a merchant, perhaps a simple, dark-colored tunic or robe made of wool or sturdy cotton, possibly with a sash. He would carry an inkwell at his belt.
Wants: To profit from Bedreddin Hassan's misfortune by acquiring valuable merchandise at a low price.
Flaw: His greed and willingness to exploit others' vulnerability.
He appears to exploit Bedreddin's distress, securing a favorable deal. His arc in this segment is to act as a catalyst for Bedreddin's further misfortune, though he views it as a legitimate business transaction.
Shrewd, opportunistic, observant (notices Bedreddin's agitation), prepared (carries money and writing tools), seemingly respectful but ultimately self-serving.
Noureddin Ali
Appears as a terrifying vision to Bedreddin, suggesting a stern and imposing figure even in death. As a Grand Vizier, he would have been a man of authority and presence.
Attire: Not explicitly described in his ghostly appearance, but as a Grand Vizier of Basra, he would have worn rich, formal court attire, likely flowing silk robes, possibly a jeweled turban, and a sash.
Wants: In Bedreddin's dream, his motivation is to express displeasure or warning. In life, he was a successful merchant and statesman.
Flaw: Not applicable as he is deceased.
Deceased before the story begins, he serves as a symbol of Bedreddin's past status and a source of his current grief and motivation.
Stern (in Bedreddin's vision), powerful, respected (as Grand Vizier).
The Genie
Not explicitly described beyond being a 'génie' (genie) and being struck by Bedreddin's beauty. Genies are typically depicted as powerful, often ethereal or imposing beings. This one has a 'retraite' (retreat) in the cemetery, suggesting a physical presence. Its reaction to Bedreddin's beauty implies it has eyes and a form capable of appreciation.
Attire: Not specified, but genies are often depicted in flowing, exotic garments or with a more elemental appearance, perhaps shimmering or smoky.
Wants: To travel the world at night, and in this instance, to observe the young man in the tomb.
Flaw: Not applicable in this segment.
Its appearance marks a turning point in Bedreddin's story, as its observation of his beauty will likely lead to future events.
Observant, appreciative of beauty, accustomed to traveling the world, possibly curious.
Locations
Outskirts of the City
An unspecified area just outside the city walls, likely a path or road, where Bedreddin Hassan encounters Isaac the Jew. The atmosphere is somewhat agitated due to Bedreddin's distress.
Mood: Anxious, desperate, with a sudden shift to hopeful relief for Bedreddin.
Bedreddin Hassan, distraught, meets Isaac the Jew and sells the cargo of his first arriving ship for a thousand sequins.
Noureddin Ali's Tomb
A solemn burial site, likely a mausoleum or a grave marked by a structure, where Bedreddin Hassan goes to pray and mourn his father. It is a place of deep sorrow and eventually, unexpected rest.
Mood: Sorrowful, desolate, mournful, transitioning to peaceful sleep, then eerie with the arrival of the genie.
Bedreddin Hassan mourns his father, falls asleep on the tomb's paved ground, and is discovered by a genie.