LXXXIV NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Vizier Schemseddin was a very big man. But he was also very sad. His daughter's husband, Bedreddin, was gone! Vizier Schemseddin saw a little man. The little man was scared. He sat on the ground. Vizier Schemseddin asked, "What is wrong?"
The Little Man spoke. "I cannot move," he said. "A big black cat came. It was very scary. It came last night. I must wait for the sun." The cat was big. Vizier Schemseddin did not know.
Vizier Schemseddin helped the man. He took his feet. He made him stand up. The Little Man ran away fast. He did not look back. He ran to the palace.
Vizier Schemseddin went home. He went to his daughter's room. He was still very sad. He did not know where Bedreddin was. He wanted answers. His daughter had no answers.
The Daughter spoke. "Father," she said. "Here is Bedreddin's hat. He left it here. Maybe it can help you. It can tell you things. She gave the hat."
Vizier Schemseddin took the hat. He looked at it well. It was a very nice hat. It was not like his hats. He felt a thing inside. A thing was sewn in there.
He got small scissors. He cut the hat lining. He found a folded paper. He opened the paper. He saw his brother Noureddin's writing. Noureddin was his brother. Paper said, "For my son Bedreddin." Vizier Schemseddin surprised.
The Daughter gave him a small bag. "I found this," she said. "It was under Bedreddin's clothes." Vizier Schemseddin opened it. It was full of shiny coins. The bag was always full. This was very strange.
Vizier Schemseddin saw words on the bag. He read them. It said, "From Isaac. For Bedreddin." It was from his father Noureddin's ship.
Vizier Schemseddin read the words again. He knew now. Bedreddin was his nephew! He was Noureddin's son. He was his family! Vizier Schemseddin was very surprised. He sat down quickly.
Vizier Schemseddin smiled. He knew Bedreddin was his family! Soon, he would find Bedreddin and bring him home. What a happy secret!
Original Story
LXXXIV NUIT.
Sire, le grand vizir Giafar poursuivant son histoire: «Schemseddin Mohammed, continua-t-il, crut que le bossu extravaguait quand il l'entendit parler de cette sorte, et il lui dit: «Ôtez-vous de là, mettez-vous sur vos pieds. - Je m'en garderai bien, repartit le bossu, à moins que le soleil ne soit levé. Sachez qu'étant venu ici hier au soir, il parut tout à coup devant moi un chat noir, qui devint insensiblement gros comme un buffle; je n'ai pas oublié ce qu'il m'a dit; c'est pourquoi allez à vos affaires et me laissez ici.» Le vizir, au lieu de se retirer, prit le bossu par les pieds et l'obligea de se relever. Cela étant fait, le bossu sortit en courant de toute sa force sans regarder derrière lui. Il se rendit au palais, se fit présenter au sultan d'Égypte, et le divertit fort en lui racontant le traitement que lui avait fait le génie.
«Schemseddin Mohammed retourna dans la chambre de sa fille, plus étonné et plus incertain qu'auparavant de ce qu'il voulait savoir. «Hé bien, fille abusée, lui dit-il, ne pouvez-vous m'éclaircir davantage sur une aventure qui me rend interdit et confus? - Seigneur, lui répondit-elle, je ne puis vous apprendre autre chose que ce que j'ai déjà eu l'honneur de vous dire. Mais voici, ajouta-t-elle, l'habillement de mon époux, qu'il a laissé sur cette chaise; il vous donnera peut-être les éclaircissements que vous cherchez.» En disant ces paroles elle présenta le turban de Bedreddin au vizir qui le prit et qui, après l'avoir bien examiné de tous côtés: «Je le prendrais, dit-il, pour un turban de vizir s'il n'était à la mode de Moussoul.» Mais s'apercevant qu'il y avait quelque chose de cousu entre l'étoffe et la doublure, il demanda des ciseaux, et ayant décousu, il trouva un papier plié. C'était le cahier que Noureddin Ali avait donné en mourant à Bedreddin son fils, qui l'avait caché en cet endroit pour mieux le conserver. Schemseddin Mohammed ayant ouvert le cahier, reconnut le caractère de son frère Noureddin Ali, et lut ce titre: Pour mon fils Bedreddin Hassan. Avant qu'il pût faire ses réflexions, sa fille lui mit entre les mains la bourse qu'elle avait trouvée sous l'habit. Il l'ouvrit aussi, et elle était remplie de sequins, comme je l'ai déjà dit: car, malgré les largesses que Bedreddin Hassan avait faites, elle était toujours demeurée pleine par les soins du génie et de la fée. Il lut ces mots sur l'étiquette de la bourse: _Mille sequins appartenant au juif Isaac; _et ceux-ci au- dessous, que le juif avait écrits avant que de se séparer de Bedreddin Hassan: Livrés à Bedreddin Hassan pour le chargement qu'il m'a vendu du premier des vaisseaux qui ont ci-devant appartenu à Noureddin Ali, son père, d'heureuse mémoire, lorsqu'il aura abordé en ce port. Il n'eut pas achevé celle lecture, qu'il fit un grand cri et s'évanouit.»
Scheherazade voulait continuer, mais le jour parut, et le sultan des Indes se leva, résolu d'entendre la fin de cette histoire.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Vizier Schemseddin Mohammed, seeking answers about his daughter's mysteriously vanished husband, Bedreddin, first encounters a bizarre hunchback claiming to be held by a magical cat. Returning to his daughter, she offers Bedreddin's turban, where the vizier discovers a hidden letter from his deceased brother, Noureddin Ali, addressed to 'my son Bedreddin Hassan'. Subsequently, a magically refilling purse is found with an inscription from a merchant, linking Bedreddin to Noureddin Ali's ships. Upon reading these revelations, Schemseddin Mohammed faints, realizing Bedreddin is his long-lost nephew, just as Scheherazade's narration is paused by the coming dawn.
Themes
Emotional Arc
confusion to revelation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Part of the One Thousand and One Nights collection, reflecting medieval Islamic storytelling traditions with elements of magic, fate, and intricate family connections.
Plot Beats (11)
- The Grand Vizier Giafar continues his story, recounting Schemseddin Mohammed's encounter with a hunchback.
- The hunchback claims he cannot move until sunrise due to a black cat that transformed into a buffalo and spoke to him.
- Schemseddin Mohammed, disbelieving, forces the hunchback to his feet, who then flees to the Sultan's palace to recount his strange experience.
- Schemseddin Mohammed returns to his daughter, still bewildered by her husband's disappearance and the lack of clear answers.
- His daughter offers her husband Bedreddin's turban, suggesting it might hold clues.
- The vizier examines the turban, noting its unusual style for a vizier, and discovers something sewn into the lining.
- He cuts open the lining and finds a folded paper, which he recognizes as his deceased brother Noureddin Ali's handwriting, addressed to 'my son Bedreddin Hassan'.
- His daughter then gives him a purse of sequins, which she found under Bedreddin's clothes and which miraculously remains full.
- The purse has an inscription from a Jewish merchant, Isaac, detailing a payment to Bedreddin Hassan for a shipment from his father Noureddin Ali's ship.
- Upon reading this, Schemseddin Mohammed cries out in shock and faints, realizing Bedreddin is his nephew.
- Scheherazade stops her narration as dawn breaks, leaving the Sultan eager for the continuation of the story.
Characters
Schemseddin Mohammed
A man of mature years, likely of average height and build, showing signs of the stress and confusion caused by the mysterious events surrounding his daughter. His features would reflect his Middle Eastern heritage, perhaps with a distinguished beard.
Attire: As a grand vizier, he would wear luxurious, flowing robes made of fine silk or brocade, possibly in deep blues, greens, or reds, with intricate embroidery. A wide sash would cinch his waist, and soft leather slippers would adorn his feet. His attire would be indicative of high status in an Arabian court.
Wants: To understand the mysterious circumstances surrounding his daughter's marriage and the identity of her husband, and to ensure her well-being and honor.
Flaw: His skepticism and initial disbelief in the supernatural, which makes him struggle to comprehend the magical events unfolding around him.
Begins in confusion and skepticism, gradually moving towards understanding and acceptance of the magical elements at play as he uncovers more clues.
Perplexed, determined, authoritative, concerned, somewhat skeptical.
The Bossu (Hunchback)
A man with a pronounced hunchback, making him appear shorter and possibly somewhat frail. His movements are likely quick and erratic due to his fear.
Attire: Simple, worn clothing typical of a commoner or entertainer, perhaps a loose tunic and trousers made of coarse linen or cotton, possibly in muted earth tones. His attire would be practical rather than decorative.
Wants: To escape the perceived danger of the 'genie' (the black cat) and to warn others, and later, to entertain the Sultan with his story.
Flaw: His extreme fear and superstition, which make him believe in a genie's curse.
Remains largely unchanged, serving as a catalyst for Schemseddin Mohammed's actions and later as an entertainer.
Terrified, superstitious, easily spooked, a bit eccentric.
Schemseddin Mohammed's Daughter (unnamed)
A young woman, likely of slender build, reflecting the beauty expected of a vizier's daughter. Her features would be delicate and expressive, showing her confusion and loyalty.
Attire: Elegant, but perhaps simpler than her father's, indicating her recent, mysterious marriage. She would wear a finely woven silk dress or a two-piece ensemble (like a loose tunic and trousers) in soft, rich colors, possibly with delicate embroidery. Her clothing would be modest yet luxurious.
Wants: To provide her father with any information she has about her mysterious husband, Bedreddin Hassan, and to understand her own situation.
Flaw: Her lack of complete information about her husband and the magical forces at play, making her unable to fully explain events.
Remains largely unchanged, serving as a source of information and a catalyst for her father's investigation.
Confused, loyal, innocent, somewhat passive, obedient to her father.
Bedreddin Hassan
A handsome young man, likely of average height and build, with features typical of an Arabian merchant's son. His appearance would be refined, despite his current mysterious circumstances.
Attire: As a merchant's son, he would wear fine, but not overly ostentatious, clothing. Perhaps a tunic and trousers made of good quality linen or light wool, with a vest or outer robe of silk, in colors like deep red, brown, or blue. His turban would be distinctive.
Wants: To make his way in the world, to honor his father's memory, and to provide for himself and his new wife.
Flaw: His initial lack of awareness of the magical forces aiding him, and his tendency to be somewhat passive in his own fate.
His story is unfolding; he is currently absent but his past actions and items are central to the plot.
Generous (despite his initial poverty), somewhat naive, fortunate (due to magical assistance).
Noureddin Ali
Deceased, but remembered as a man of some standing, likely of average build and height, with features typical of an Arabian merchant.
Attire: Not explicitly described, but as a wealthy merchant, he would have worn fine, practical clothing, possibly a tunic and trousers with an outer robe, and a turban.
Wants: To secure his son's future and provide him with resources and guidance after his own death.
Flaw: His mortality, which led to his early death.
Deceased before the story begins, his actions set the stage for the current events.
Prudent, loving (towards his son), foresighted (in preparing for his son's future).
Isaac the Jew
A Jewish merchant, likely of average height and build, with features consistent with his heritage. He would appear shrewd and business-minded.
Attire: Clothing typical of a Jewish merchant in an Arabian setting: perhaps a long, dark robe or tunic, possibly with a distinctive head covering like a small cap or a simpler turban. His attire would be practical and respectable, indicating his profession.
Wants: To conduct business and record transactions accurately.
Flaw: Not directly shown, but perhaps a focus on material wealth.
Remains off-stage, serving as a source of information through his written records.
Shrewd, business-oriented, meticulous (in his record-keeping).
The Black Cat (Genie)
Initially a normal-sized black cat, it transforms into a creature as large as a buffalo. Its fur would be sleek and intensely black, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light.
Attire: None, as it is an animal/magical creature.
Wants: To assist Bedreddin Hassan, possibly under the direction of a fairy, and to intimidate others who might interfere.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, but its magical nature might have specific limitations.
Appears briefly to intimidate the Bossu, then disappears, its role as a magical protector continues off-stage.
Mysterious, powerful, possibly mischievous or protective (implied by its actions with Bedreddin Hassan), intimidating.
Locations
Schemseddin Mohammed's Daughter's Chamber
A private room within the vizier's palace, likely adorned with rich textiles and cushions, typical of an Abbasid-era dwelling. It contains a chair where Bedreddin's clothes were left.
Mood: Mysterious, tense, revealing
Schemseddin Mohammed interrogates his daughter, discovers Bedreddin's turban, and finds a hidden letter and a magical purse, leading to a shocking revelation about his brother.