LXXXII NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Bedreddin woke up. He was in a new city. He did not know this place. He felt confused. He was alone.
Bedreddin told his strange story. He said it was true. People did not believe him. They laughed at him. They followed him. Bedreddin felt lost. He did not know what to do. He was very sad. He wanted help.
He saw a shop. It was a baker's shop. The door was open. He ran inside. He wanted to hide. He felt scared. The people were still outside.
The Baker stood there. He was a big man. He was strong. The Baker looked kind. He looked at the people. The people went away. They did not laugh now. Bedreddin felt safe.
The Baker asked Bedreddin. Bedreddin looked at him. He felt shy. "Who are you?" he said. "Why are you here?"
Bedreddin told his story. He was a rich boy. His father died. He slept by his grave. He woke in a new city. It was a magic sleep. He married a lady there. He did not understand. Then he woke up here.
The Baker said, "Tell no one." He said, "Stay with me. Be my son." The Baker had no son. He wanted a son. He was a good man.
Bedreddin was a prince. Now he will be a baker's son. He needed help. He had no other choice. So he said yes. He took the offer. He felt a little sad.
They made it official. Bedreddin got a new name. He was Hassan now. He learned to bake. He made good bread. He learned many things. He stayed with The Baker.
Far away, Bedreddin's Wife woke up. Bedreddin was not there. She missed him much. She thought he would come back. She hoped he was safe. She waited for him.
Her father came. The Vizier was angry. He was angry about something. He thought his daughter was sad. He came to her door. He knocked loudly. He was very upset.
She opened the door. She looked happy. The Vizier was surprised. He felt angry. He did not understand. "Why are you happy?" he asked. "It was a bad day." Her smile confused him.
Original Story
LXXXII NUIT.
Sire, dit-elle, après que Bedreddin Hassan se fut opiniâtré à soutenir que tout ce qu'il avait dit était véritable, il se leva pour entrer dans la ville, et tout le monde le suivait en criant: C'est un fou! c'est un fou! À ces cris, les uns mirent la tête aux fenêtres, les autres se présentèrent à leurs portes, et d'autres, se joignant à ceux qui environnaient Bedreddin, criaient comme eux: C'est un fou, sans savoir de quoi il s'agissait. Dans l'embarras où était ce jeune homme, il arriva devant la maison d'un pâtissier qui ouvrait sa boutique, et il entra dedans pour se dérober aux huées du peuple qui le suivait.
Ce pâtissier avait été autrefois chef d'une troupe de vagabonds qui détroussaient les caravanes, et quoiqu'il fût venu s'établir à Damas, où il ne donnait aucun sujet de plainte contre lui, il ne laissait pas d'être craint de tous ceux qui le connaissaient. C'est pourquoi dès le premier regard qu'il jeta sur la populace qui suivait Bedreddin, il la dissipa. Le pâtissier, voyant qu'il n'y avait plus personne, fit plusieurs questions au jeune homme; il lui demanda qui il était et ce qui l'avait amené à Damas. Bedreddin Hassan ne lui cacha ni sa naissance, ni la mort du grand vizir son père. Il lui conta ensuite de quelle manière il était sorti de Balsora, et comment, après s'être endormi la nuit précédente sur le tombeau de son père, il s'était trouvé, à son réveil, au Caire, où il avait épousé une dame. Enfin, il lui marqua la surprise où il était de se voir à Damas sans pouvoir comprendre toutes ces merveilles.
«Votre histoire est des plus surprenantes, lui dit le pâtissier; mais, si vous voulez suivre mon conseil, vous ne ferez confidence à personne de toutes les choses que vous venez de me dire, et vous attendrez patiemment que le ciel daigne finir les disgrâces dont il permet que vous soyez affligé. Vous n'avez qu'à demeurer avec moi jusqu'à ce temps-là, et comme je n'ai pas d'enfants, je suis prêt à vous reconnaître pour mon fils, si vous y consentez. Après que je vous aurai adopté, vous irez librement par la ville et vous ne serez plus exposé aux insultes de la populace.»
Quoique cette adoption ne fît pas honneur au fils d'un grand vizir, Bedreddin ne laissa pas d'accepter la proposition du pâtissier, jugeant bien que c'était le meilleur parti qu'il devait prendre dans la situation où était sa fortune. Le pâtissier le fit habiller, prit des témoins, et alla déclarer devant un cadi qu'il le reconnaissait pour son fils; après quoi Bedreddin demeura chez lui sous le simple nom de Hassan, et apprit la pâtisserie.
Pendant que cela se passait, à Damas, la fille de Schemseddin Mohammed se réveilla, et, ne trouvant pas Bedreddin auprès d'elle, crut qu'il s'était levé sans vouloir interrompre son repos et qu'il reviendrait bientôt. Elle attendait son retour, lorsque le vizir Schemseddin Mohammed son père, vivement touché de l'affront qu'il croyait avoir reçu du sultan d'Égypte, vint frapper à la porte de son appartement, résolu de pleurer avec elle sa triste destinée. Il l'appela par son nom, et elle n'eut pas plus tôt entendu sa voix qu'elle se leva pour lui ouvrir la porte. Elle lui baisa la main et le reçut d'un air si satisfait, que le vizir, qui s'attendait à la trouver baignée de pleurs et aussi affligée que lui, en fut extrêmement surpris. «Malheureuse! lui dit-il en colère, est-ce ainsi que tu parais devant moi? Après l'affreux sacrifice que tu viens de consommer, peux tu m'offrir un visage si content!»
Scheherazade cessa de parler en cet endroit, parce que le jour parut. La nuit suivante, elle reprit son discours et dit au sultan des Indes:
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Bedreddin Hassan, magically transported and confused, is chased by a crowd who thinks him mad. He finds refuge with a former bandit turned pastry chef, to whom he recounts his incredible story of magical travel and marriage. The pastry chef advises secrecy and adopts Bedreddin, who takes on a new identity as Hassan and learns the trade. Meanwhile, Bedreddin's new wife awakens to find him gone, and her father, the vizier, approaches her, angered by a perceived slight and surprised by her contentment.
Themes
Emotional Arc
confusion to acceptance
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is an excerpt from One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights), a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales. The framing story involves Scheherazade telling tales to Sultan Shahryar to delay her execution, with each night ending on a cliffhanger.
Plot Beats (11)
- Bedreddin Hassan is in a city, insisting his incredible story is true, but the populace believes him mad and chases him.
- He seeks refuge in a pastry chef's shop to escape the jeering crowd.
- The pastry chef, a man with a formidable past, disperses the crowd.
- The pastry chef questions Bedreddin about his identity and his presence in the city.
- Bedreddin reveals his noble birth, his father's death, his magical transport from Balsora to Cairo, his marriage, and his inexplicable arrival in Damascus.
- The pastry chef advises Bedreddin to keep his story secret and offers to adopt him as his son, as he has no children.
- Bedreddin, seeing no other option, accepts the adoption, despite it being a step down from his noble status.
- The pastry chef formalizes the adoption before a cadi, and Bedreddin takes on the name Hassan and begins learning the pastry trade.
- Meanwhile, in another city, Schemseddin Mohammed's daughter (Bedreddin's wife) wakes to find Bedreddin gone, believing he will return soon.
- Her father, Vizier Schemseddin Mohammed, approaches her apartment, angered by a perceived affront from the Sultan of Egypt, expecting to find her in despair.
- He is surprised and angered to find her looking content, questioning her demeanor after what he considers a 'terrible sacrifice'.
Characters
Bedreddin Hassan
Of noble birth, likely slender and refined from a life of privilege, though now disheveled from his mysterious journey. His features would reflect a Middle Eastern heritage, perhaps with an olive complexion.
Attire: Initially, he would be dressed in the fine, silk robes of a vizier's son, likely in rich colors like deep blue or emerald green, possibly with embroidered details, now rumpled and dirty. Later, he adopts simpler, more practical clothing suitable for a baker's apprentice in Damascus, perhaps a linen tunic and trousers in earthy tones.
Wants: To understand the miraculous events that have befallen him, to find his way back to his new wife, and to regain his rightful place.
Flaw: Naivety and a tendency to openly share his unbelievable story, which leads to him being perceived as mad.
Transforms from a bewildered, high-born noble into a humble baker's apprentice, learning patience and discretion while awaiting the resolution of his magical predicament.
Confused, bewildered, honest, adaptable, resilient.
The Baker (formerly Chief of Vagabonds)
A man of imposing presence, likely broad-shouldered and muscular from his past as a caravan leader and his current profession. His build suggests strength and a history of physical activity. His skin would be tanned from outdoor life.
Attire: Practical, sturdy clothing suitable for a baker in Damascus, such as a thick linen tunic, possibly stained with flour, and sturdy trousers. He might wear a leather apron over his clothes. His attire, while simple, would convey a sense of order and cleanliness appropriate for his trade.
Wants: To live a peaceful life in Damascus, free from his past, and perhaps to find a successor or someone to care for, given he has no children.
Flaw: His past as a bandit leader, which makes him feared and potentially isolated.
Remains largely unchanged, serving as a stable, guiding figure for Bedreddin Hassan.
Shrewd, observant, protective, pragmatic, intimidating, secretly kind.
Schemseddin Mohammed's Daughter
A young woman of noble birth, likely graceful and beautiful, reflecting her status as a vizier's daughter. Her features would be consistent with a Middle Eastern heritage, with smooth skin.
Attire: Initially, she would be in fine nightclothes of soft silk, possibly embroidered. Later, she would wear the elegant, flowing robes of a vizier's daughter in Cairo, made of rich fabrics like silk or brocade in vibrant colors, perhaps adorned with delicate jewelry.
Wants: To be with her new husband, Bedreddin Hassan, and to understand his disappearance.
Flaw: Her vulnerability to the whims and decisions of the men in her life (father, husband).
Begins in blissful ignorance of her husband's disappearance, then faces confusion and her father's anger, but her internal state remains largely serene.
Serene, patient, loving, initially content, later confused and perhaps worried.
Schemseddin Mohammed
A man of authority and power, likely of a sturdy build, reflecting his position as a vizier. His features would be strong and commanding, typical of a high-ranking official in Cairo, with a dignified presence.
Attire: Rich, formal robes befitting a vizier of Cairo, likely made of fine brocade or heavy silk in deep colors like crimson or royal purple, possibly with gold embroidery. He would wear a jeweled turban or a similar head covering, signifying his status.
Wants: To uphold his family's honor, to protect his daughter, and to exact revenge for perceived slights.
Flaw: His pride and quick temper, which lead him to misinterpret situations and jump to conclusions.
Remains unchanged in his anger and misinterpretation, setting up future conflict.
Proud, easily angered, authoritative, deeply concerned with honor, quick to assume the worst.
Locations
Streets of Damascus
Narrow, bustling streets of a medieval Islamic city, lined with houses featuring windows and doors. The ground is likely unpaved or cobblestone, filled with a curious and jeering crowd.
Mood: Chaotic, hostile, public spectacle, bewildering for Bedreddin.
Bedreddin Hassan is publicly ridiculed and followed by a jeering crowd after his unbelievable story.
Pâtissier's Shop in Damascus
A small, likely open-fronted shop belonging to a pastry chef. It would contain an oven, display shelves for pastries, and a counter. The interior would be warm from the oven and smell of spices and sweets.
Mood: Initially a refuge, then becomes a place of unexpected safety and new beginnings, humble but secure.
Bedreddin seeks refuge here, meets the pâtissier, and is offered a new life and identity.
Schemseddin Mohammed's Daughter's Apartment
An opulent private apartment within a grand Egyptian palace, likely featuring rich textiles, intricate geometric patterns, and possibly a view of a courtyard or garden. It would be designed for comfort and privacy.
Mood: Initially peaceful and expectant, then tense and confrontational as the father enters.
Schemseddin Mohammed's daughter wakes up alone and is later confronted by her angry father.