LXXXV NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Uncle Mohammed sits down very fast. His eyes are big. His mouth is open. "Oh!" he says. "Oh my!" Lina runs to him. She is his daughter. "Father, are you okay?" she asks. She holds his hand. Uncle Mohammed takes a deep breath. He is very surprised.
"Lina," Uncle Mohammed says. "I know your husband." Lina looks. "He is my brother's son!" Uncle Mohammed smiles. "He is your cousin! My brother Ali's boy!" He feels very happy. This is a big surprise. A happy surprise.
Uncle Mohammed holds a small bag. It is a special gift bag. He sees writing on the bag. "This writing!" he says. "It is my brother Ali's writing!" He knows it. This bag is a wedding gift. It is a very kind gift.
Uncle Mohammed opens a little book. His brother Ali wrote it. The book tells a story. It tells about his brother's people. His brother had a baby boy! The baby's name is Young Hassan. Uncle Mohammed reads the book. He is very happy.
Uncle Mohammed is so happy! He smiles a big smile. His brother Ali's son married Lina. His daughter married his nephew. The two sides are one now. "What a happy day!" he says. "Our people are one!" He is very happy.
Uncle Mohammed runs to the King. He tells the King the good news. The King listens to the story. The King smiles a big smile. "What a good story!" says the King. "Think of this day!" King is happy.
But where is Young Hassan? He is not here now. Uncle Mohammed looks all around. "Where did he go?" he asks. He waits for Young Hassan. He waits and waits. This is a little puzzle.
Uncle Mohammed keeps the special hat. It is Young Hassan's hat. He keeps the gift bag too. He puts them in a safe place. "I will keep these for him," he says. "He will come back." Lina holds hand. They both smile. Our people will be one. This is a happy thought. A warm, happy thought. They wait with happy hearts. Good things will happen.
Original Story
LXXXV NUIT.
Le lendemain, Scheherazade ayant repris la parole, dit à Schahriar: Sire, le vizir Schemseddin Mohammed étant revenu de son évanouissement par le secours de sa fille et des femmes qu'elle avait appelées: «Ma fille, dit-il, ne vous étonnez pas de l'accident qui vient de m'arriver. La cause en est telle qu'à peine y pourrez-vous ajouter foi. Cet époux qui a passé la nuit avec vous est votre cousin, le fils de Noureddin Ali. Les mille sequins qui sont dans cette bourse me font souvenir de la querelle que j'eus avec ce cher frère; c'est sans doute le présent de noce qu'il vous fait. Dieu soit loué de toutes choses, et particulièrement de cette aventure merveilleuse qui montre si bien sa puissance!» Il regarda ensuite l'écriture de son frère, et la baisa plusieurs fois en versant une grande abondance de larmes. «Que ne puis-je, disait-il, aussi bien que je vois ces traits qui me causent tant de joie, voir ici Noureddin lui-même et me réconcilier avec lui!»
Il lut le cahier d'un bout à l'autre: il y trouva les dates de l'arrivée de son frère à Balsora, de son mariage, de la naissance de Bedreddin Hassan, et lorsque, après avoir confronté à ces dates celles de son mariage et de la naissance de sa fille au Caire, il eut admiré le rapport qu'il y avait entre elles et fait enfin réflexion que son neveu était son gendre, il se livra tout entier à la joie. Il prit le cahier et l'étiquette de la bourse, les alla montrer au sultan, qui lui pardonna le passé, et qui fut tellement charmé du récit de cette histoire, qu'il la fit mettre par écrit avec toutes ses circonstances, pour la faire passer à la postérité.
Cependant le vizir Schemseddin Mohammed ne pouvait comprendre pourquoi son neveu avait disparu; il espérait néanmoins le voir arriver à tous moments, et il l'attendait avec la dernière impatience pour l'embrasser. Après l'avoir inutilement attendu pendant sept jours, il le fit chercher par tout le Caire; mais il n'en apprit aucune nouvelle, quelques perquisitions qu'il en pût faire. Cela lui causa beaucoup d'inquiétude. «Voilà, disait-il, une aventure bien singulière! jamais personne n'en a éprouvé une pareille.»
Dans l'incertitude de ce qui pouvait arriver dans la suite, il crut devoir mettre lui-même par écrit l'état où était alors sa maison, de quelle manière les noces s'étaient passées, comment la salle et la chambre de sa fille étaient meublées. Il fit aussi un paquet du turban, de la bourse et du reste de l'habillement de Bedreddin, et l'enferma sous la clé… La sultane Scheherazade fut obligée d'en demeurer là parce qu'elle vit que le jour paraissait. Sur la fin de la nuit suivante elle poursuivit cette histoire dans ces termes:
Story DNA
Moral
Fate often brings about unexpected reunions and resolves long-standing conflicts.
Plot Summary
After fainting, Vizier Schemseddin Mohammed recovers to discover that his daughter's mysterious husband is his nephew, Bedreddin Hassan, the son of his long-estranged brother, Noureddin Ali. He confirms this miraculous family reunion by recognizing his brother's handwriting on a purse of sequins and cross-referencing dates in a journal. Overjoyed, he shares the news with the Sultan, who orders the extraordinary tale recorded. However, his nephew mysteriously disappears, leaving the vizier anxious and compelled to document all the events, awaiting his return.
Themes
Emotional Arc
surprise to joy to mild anxiety
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Part of the One Thousand and One Nights collection, reflecting medieval Islamic storytelling traditions.
Plot Beats (10)
- Scheherazade continues the story of Vizier Schemseddin Mohammed, who has fainted.
- His daughter and other women help him recover.
- The vizier explains his fainting was due to the shocking realization that his daughter's husband is his nephew, Noureddin Ali's son.
- He recognizes his brother's handwriting on the purse of 1000 sequins, which he believes is a wedding gift.
- He reads his brother's journal, confirming dates of his brother's arrival in Balsora, marriage, and the birth of Bedreddin Hassan.
- Comparing these dates to his own marriage and daughter's birth in Cairo, he realizes the miraculous connection: his nephew is his son-in-law.
- Overjoyed, he shows the journal and purse label to the Sultan, who is charmed by the story and orders it recorded.
- The vizier is puzzled by his nephew's disappearance but eagerly awaits his return.
- After seven days of waiting, he searches all of Cairo but finds no trace of Bedreddin.
- Anxious about the future, he decides to document the events of the wedding and his daughter's room, and stores Bedreddin's turban, purse, and clothes.
Characters
Scheherazade
Slender and graceful, with features considered beautiful in the Arabian tradition. Her posture is poised and elegant, reflecting her royal status and intellectual prowess.
Attire: Luxurious and modest Arabian attire, likely a flowing silk caftan or abaya in rich jewel tones, possibly embroidered with gold thread, worn over a finely woven underdress. Her head is covered with a delicate, sheer veil or a jeweled headpiece.
Wants: To survive by entertaining the Sultan with stories, thereby preventing her own execution and ultimately changing his cruel decree.
Flaw: Her life is constantly at risk, dependent on the Sultan's whim and her ability to maintain his interest.
Through her nightly stories, she gradually transforms the Sultan's heart and mind, ultimately saving herself and all the women of the kingdom.
Intelligent, resourceful, captivating, patient, and determined.
Schahriar
A powerful and imposing figure, likely with a strong build befitting a ruler. His presence commands authority.
Attire: Richly embroidered silk robes (thobe or dishdasha) in deep colors like crimson or emerald, possibly with gold brocade. A jeweled turban would adorn his head, signifying his royal status. He might wear a wide, ornate belt.
Wants: Initially driven by a desire for revenge against perceived female infidelity, he later seeks entertainment and wisdom from Scheherazade's tales.
Flaw: His initial deep-seated mistrust and misogyny, which led to his cruel decree.
Transforms from a tyrannical and vengeful ruler into a just and enlightened one, thanks to Scheherazade's influence.
Initially cruel and vengeful, but gradually becomes fascinated, curious, and eventually softened by Scheherazade's stories.
Schemseddin Mohammed
A man of mature years, likely with a dignified bearing appropriate for a vizier. He is prone to strong emotional reactions, suggesting a sensitive nature beneath his official role.
Attire: Formal and respectable vizier's attire: a finely tailored, flowing robe (e.g., a jubbah or caftan) in a deep, rich color like indigo or forest green, made of fine wool or silk, possibly with subtle embroidery. A turban, less ornate than a sultan's but still indicative of his status.
Wants: To ensure his daughter's happiness and well-being; to understand the mysterious events surrounding his nephew's disappearance; to reconcile with his long-lost brother.
Flaw: His emotional nature can lead to fainting spells and distress.
Experiences a profound emotional journey from confusion and distress to overwhelming joy and gratitude upon discovering his daughter's husband is his nephew, and a renewed hope for reconciliation with his brother.
Emotional, loving (towards his family), responsible, and deeply moved by family ties and divine providence.
Noureddin Ali
Not explicitly described, but implied to be a man of means and education, given his ability to write and his status as a vizier's brother.
Attire: Not explicitly described, but would have worn attire befitting a man of his background and wealth, likely similar to his brother's but perhaps reflecting his own journey.
Wants: To live his life after a quarrel with his brother; to document his family's history.
Flaw: His pride or stubbornness, which led to the long separation from his brother.
His life's journey, documented in his writings, serves as the catalyst for the story's resolution, even though he is not physically present.
Sentimental, thoughtful, and perhaps a bit stubborn (given the long-standing quarrel). He clearly cherished his family and documented his life.
Bedreddin Hassan
Not explicitly described, but implied to be handsome and appealing enough to be a suitable groom. His clothing is noted, suggesting a well-dressed young man.
Attire: His turban and other garments are mentioned as being made into a packet, suggesting fine, wedding-appropriate attire. Likely a richly embroidered silk caftan or tunic, with a distinctive turban.
Wants: Unknown, as he disappears without explanation. His presence is a plot device.
Flaw: His unexplained disappearance causes distress and confusion.
His mysterious arrival and disappearance are the central enigma that drives Schemseddin Mohammed's emotional journey and the plot's resolution.
Mysterious, as his actions are only observed, not explained. He is the unwitting catalyst for the family reunion.
Schemseddin's Daughter
Not explicitly described, but implied to be beautiful and a suitable bride. She is attentive to her father.
Attire: Wedding attire, likely a beautiful and elaborate bridal gown (e.g., a zaffeh dress or a richly embroidered caftan) in white or a light, festive color, adorned with jewels and fine embroidery. Her hair would be styled and possibly covered with a delicate veil.
Wants: To care for her father; to fulfill her role as a bride.
Flaw: Her lack of agency in the mysterious events surrounding her marriage.
She is a passive participant in the story's events, serving as the bride whose marriage resolves the family feud.
Caring (towards her father), obedient, and likely somewhat bewildered by the mysterious events of her wedding night.
Locations
Vizier Schemseddin Mohammed's Private Chambers
A richly furnished private chamber within an Abbasid-era palace in Cairo, likely adorned with intricate geometric tile mosaics, carved wooden screens (mashrabiya), and plush cushions on the floor. The room would have high ceilings and possibly a view of an inner courtyard.
Mood: Initially bewildered and anxious, then joyful and tearful, finally settling into a state of hopeful anticipation and later, concern.
Schemseddin Mohammed recovers from his faint, reads his brother's notebook, realizes the truth about his daughter's husband, and later stores Bedreddin's belongings.
The Sultan's Audience Chamber
A grand and formal audience chamber in an Abbasid-era palace, characterized by its impressive scale, possibly featuring muqarnas vaults, polished marble floors, and large, arched windows or doorways. The air would be formal and respectful.
Mood: Formal, authoritative, and later, charmed and approving.
The Vizier presents the notebook and purse to the Sultan, who is captivated by the story and orders it to be recorded.
The City of Cairo
The bustling, sun-drenched streets and marketplaces of medieval Cairo, filled with the sounds of merchants, the scent of spices, and the sight of diverse people. Narrow alleyways wind between sandstone and mud-brick buildings, leading to open squares.
Mood: Lively, busy, but ultimately unyielding in its secrets as Bedreddin cannot be found.
The Vizier orders a city-wide search for Bedreddin Hassan, which proves fruitless.