LXXXVI NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Once there was a boy. His name was Agib. He lived in a big house. His Grandfather was kind. His Mom was there too.
Agib was a special boy. His Mom had him. His Grandfather loved him much. Everyone took good care of Agib. He had many nice things.
Agib went to school. His Grandfather was important. The Teacher was nice to Agib. Other children let Agib go first. They were always kind to him.
Agib was very bossy. He was not kind to friends. He pushed his friends sometimes. Agib wanted his way always. He was not a good friend.
The children told the Teacher. Agib was not nice. The Teacher thought about it. He wanted to help Agib. Agib must be a better friend.
The Teacher had an idea. "Play a game," he said. "Say your name. Say your mom's name. Say your dad's name. If you do not know, you cannot play."
The children liked the idea. Next day, they played the game. They stood around Agib. One friend spoke first.
Agib was very sure. "My name is Agib," he said. "My mom is Agib's Mom. My dad is my Grandfather."
The children looked at Agib. "No, Agib," they said. "Your Grandfather is not your dad. He is your Grandfather. You cannot play with us."
Agib was very sad. He did not know this. He felt bad. Agib started to cry. Big tears came down.
The Teacher came in. "Agib," he said softly. "Your Grandfather is your mom's dad. Your real dad is not known. We do not know his name."
The Teacher smiled. "This truth helps you," he said. "Be kind to your friends. Do not be bossy. It is good to be kind." The Teacher smiled. "Now you know, Agib. It is good to be kind. It is good to be a friend." Agib learned a big lesson. He tried to be a good friend.
Original Story
LXXXVI NUIT.
Sire, le grand vizir Giafar continuant de parler au calife: «Au bout de quelques jours, dit-il, la fille du vizir Schemseddin Mohammed s'aperçut qu'elle était grosse, et en effet elle accoucha d'un fils dans le terme de neuf mois. On donna une nourrice à l'enfant, avec d'autres femmes et des esclaves pour le servir, et son aïeul le nomma Agib.
«Lorsque le jeune Agib eut atteint l'âge de sept ans, le vizir Schemseddin Mohammed, au lieu de lui faire apprendre à lire au logis, l'envoya à l'école chez un maître qui avait une grande réputation, et deux esclaves avaient soin de le conduire et de le ramener tous les jours. Agib jouait avec ses camarades: comme ils étaient tous d'une condition au-dessous de la sienne, ils avaient beaucoup de déférence pour lui, et en cela ils se réglaient sur le maître d'école, qui lui passait bien des choses qu'il ne pardonnait pas à eux. La complaisance aveugle qu'on avait pour Agib le perdit: il devint fier, insolent; il voulait que ses compagnons souffrissent tout de lui, sans vouloir rien souffrir d'eux. Il dominait partout, et si quelqu'un avait la hardiesse de s'opposer à ses volontés, il lui disait mille injures et allait souvent jusqu'aux coups. Enfin il se rendit insupportable à tous les écoliers, qui se plaignirent de lui au maître d'école. Il les exhorta d'abord à prendre patience; mais quand il vit qu'ils ne faisaient qu'irriter par là l'insolence d'Agib, et fatigué lui- même des peines qu'il lui faisait: «Mes enfants, dit-il à ses écoliers, je vois bien qu'Agib est un petit insolent; je veux vous enseigner un moyen de le mortifier de manière qu'il ne vous tourmentera plus; je crois même qu'il ne reviendra plus à l'école. Demain, lorsqu'il sera venu et que vous voudrez jouer ensemble, rangez-vous tous autour de lui, et que quelqu'un dise tout haut: Nous voulons jouer, mais c'est à condition que ceux qui joueront diront leur nom, celui de leur mère et de leur père. Nous regarderons comme des bâtards ceux qui refuseront de le faire, et nous ne souffrirons pas qu'ils jouent avec nous. Le maître d'école leur fit comprendre l'embarras où ils jetteraient Agib par ce moyen, et ils se retirèrent chez eux avec bien de la joie.
«Le lendemain, dès qu'ils furent tous assemblés, ils ne manquèrent pas de faire ce que leur maître leur avait enseigné. Ils environnèrent Agib, et l'un d'entre eux prenant la parole: «Jouons, dit-il, à un jeu, mais à condition que celui qui ne pourra pas dire son nom, le nom de sa mère et de son père, n'y jouera pas.» Ils répondirent tous, et Agib lui-même, qu'ils y consentaient. Alors celui qui avait parlé les interrogea l'un après l'autre, et ils satisfirent tous à la condition, excepté Agib, qui répondit: «Je me nomme Agib, ma mère s'appelle Dame de Beauté, et mon père Schemseddin Mohammed, vizir du sultan.»
«À ces mots, tous les enfants s'écrièrent: «Agib, que dites-vous? ce n'est point là le nom de votre père, c'est celui de votre grand-père. - Que Dieu vous confonde! répliqua-t-il en colère; quoi! vous osez dire que le vizir Schemseddin Mohammed n'est pas mon père!» Les écoliers lui repartirent avec de grands éclats de rire: «Non, non, il n'est que votre aïeul, et vous ne jouerez pas avec nous; nous nous garderons bien même de nous approcher de vous.» En disant cela ils s'éloignèrent de lui en le raillant, et ils continuèrent de rire entre eux. Agib fut fort mortifié de leurs railleries et se mit à pleurer.
«Le maître d'école, qui était aux écoutes et qui avait tout entendu, entra sur ces entrefaites, et s'adressant à Agib: «Agib, lui dit-il, ne savez-vous pas encore que le vizir Schemseddin Mohammed n'est pas votre père? Il est votre aïeul, père de votre mère Dame de Beauté. Nous ignorons comme vous le nom de votre père. Nous savons seulement que le sultan avait voulu marier votre mère avec un de ses palefreniers qui était bossu, mais qu'un génie coucha avec elle. Cela est fâcheux pour vous, et doit vous apprendre à traiter vos camarades avec moins de fierté que vous n'avez fait jusqu'à présent.»
Scheherazade, en cet endroit, remarquant qu'il était jour, mit fin à son discours. Elle en reprit le fil la nuit suivante, et dit au sultan des Indes:
Story DNA
Moral
Pride and insolence can lead to humiliation and the revelation of uncomfortable truths.
Plot Summary
Agib, the pampered grandson of a vizier, grows up to be an arrogant and abusive child at school. Tired of his insolence, the schoolmaster devises a plan: the children play a game where they must state their name and their parents' names. When Agib proudly names his grandfather as his father, his peers mock him, revealing his true father is unknown. Deeply humiliated, Agib is further chastised by the schoolmaster, who confirms his illegitimate birth, hoping this lesson will curb his pride.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to humiliation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is an excerpt from One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights), a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. The narrative structure of Scheherazade telling stories to the Sultan is characteristic.
Plot Beats (11)
- Vizier Schemseddin Mohammed's daughter gives birth to a son, Agib, who is raised with great care and privilege.
- At age seven, Agib is sent to school, where his high status leads to him being spoiled by the master and deferred to by his peers.
- Agib becomes excessively proud, insolent, and physically abusive towards his schoolmates, making him unbearable.
- The schoolmates complain to the master, who initially advises patience but eventually decides to teach Agib a lesson.
- The master instructs the children to play a game where each child must state their own name, their mother's name, and their father's name, or be considered a 'bastard' and excluded from play.
- The children agree and execute the plan the next day, surrounding Agib.
- Agib, confident, states his name as Agib, his mother as Dame de Beauté, and his father as Schemseddin Mohammed, the vizier.
- The other children mock him, exclaiming that Schemseddin Mohammed is his grandfather, not his father, and refuse to play with him.
- Agib is deeply humiliated and begins to cry.
- The schoolmaster enters and confirms that Schemseddin Mohammed is indeed Agib's grandfather, and that his true father is unknown, only that his mother was to marry a hunchbacked groom but a genie lay with her.
- The schoolmaster advises Agib that this revelation should teach him to treat his comrades with less pride.
Characters
Agib
A well-fed, healthy child of Arab descent, likely of average height for his age, with a sturdy build indicative of a privileged upbringing. His skin would be olive-toned, and his features would be considered handsome, reflecting his mother's beauty.
Attire: Richly embroidered tunic made of fine silk or cotton, possibly in deep blues or greens, with loose-fitting trousers (sirwal) and soft leather slippers. His clothing would be clean and well-maintained, reflecting his status as the grandson of a vizier.
Wants: To maintain his perceived superior status among his peers and to assert his will over others. He desires respect and obedience from those he considers beneath him.
Flaw: His excessive pride and insolence, which alienate him from others and make him vulnerable to humiliation. His ignorance of his true parentage is also a significant vulnerability.
He begins as an arrogant and insufferable child who believes himself superior to all. Through the cunning plan of the schoolmaster, he is humbled and forced to confront the mystery of his parentage, leading to mortification and tears. This experience is meant to teach him humility.
Proud, insolent, domineering, easily angered, but also vulnerable and easily mortified when confronted with his own shortcomings. He is accustomed to deference and struggles with humility.
Vizier Schemseddin Mohammed
A man of mature age, likely in his late 40s or 50s, with a dignified and authoritative presence. He would have a robust build, reflecting his position and comfortable life. His skin would be olive-toned, characteristic of the region.
Attire: Formal court attire, consisting of a flowing, richly colored caftan (perhaps deep crimson or emerald green) made of fine silk or brocade, embroidered with gold thread. He would wear a wide sash (kamarband) around his waist and a large, ornate turban (imamah) adorned with jewels, signifying his high rank.
Wants: To ensure the proper upbringing and education of his grandson, Agib, and to maintain his family's honor and status.
Flaw: His blind indulgence of Agib, which contributes to the boy's insolence.
In this excerpt, he remains a static character, acting as a background figure who sets the stage for Agib's education. His actions are driven by his established role.
Doting, protective, responsible (in sending Agib to school), but perhaps also somewhat indulgent, as he allows Agib's insolence to develop. He is a man of high standing and reputation.
The Schoolmaster
An older man, perhaps in his 60s, with a lean build and a wise, observant demeanor. His skin would be weathered, indicative of a life spent in study and teaching. He would likely be of average height.
Attire: Simple but respectable scholar's attire: a plain, long-sleeved tunic made of sturdy cotton or linen, perhaps in a muted color like brown or grey, worn over loose trousers. He might wear a simple, unadorned turban or a skullcap. His clothes would be clean but not luxurious.
Wants: To educate his students, maintain order in his school, and ensure a fair learning environment for all, even if it means humbling a privileged student.
Flaw: Initially, his patience with Agib's insolence allows the problem to escalate.
He begins by tolerating Agib's behavior but evolves into an active problem-solver, devising a clever and effective method to address Agib's insolence and teach him a valuable lesson.
Patient, wise, observant, cunning, and fair. He initially tries to be patient with Agib but ultimately devises a clever plan to teach him humility and protect his other students.
Lady of Beauty
A woman of striking beauty, as her name suggests. She would be slender and graceful, with features considered ideal in her culture. Her skin would be fair or olive, smooth and unblemished.
Attire: Luxurious and elegant clothing, such as a finely woven silk dress (thobe) in a rich color like sapphire blue or emerald green, possibly embroidered with silver or gold thread. She would wear delicate jewelry, such as gold bracelets and earrings, and a sheer veil or headscarf (tarha) that frames her beautiful face.
Wants: Her motivations are not revealed in this excerpt, but as a mother, she would desire the well-being of her son.
Flaw: Her past, specifically the mysterious circumstances of Agib's conception, which is a source of shame or vulnerability.
She is a static character in this excerpt, serving as a key figure in Agib's backstory and the mystery of his parentage.
Her personality is not explicitly detailed in this excerpt, but she is known for her beauty and is the mother of Agib. She is likely gentle and refined, given her upbringing.
Locations
Vizier Schemseddin Mohammed's Residence
The private quarters within the vizier's grand house, likely featuring richly decorated rooms with intricate geometric patterns, possibly carved wooden screens (mashrabiya), and plush cushions. The architecture would reflect Abbasid-era opulence, with cool, tiled floors and high ceilings to combat the heat.
Mood: Initially nurturing and privileged, later becoming a place of internal family tension and revelation.
Agib is born and raised here, receiving care from a nurse and slaves. It's his home where he experiences his privileged upbringing.
The School
A traditional Islamic school (madrasa) setting, likely a large, open room or a courtyard with shaded arcades, where students sit on cushions or mats on the floor around a teacher. The architecture would be functional yet elegant, with stone or brick walls, possibly a central fountain in a courtyard, and natural light entering from arched openings. The atmosphere is one of learning, but also social dynamics.
Mood: Initially a place of learning and social interaction, it transforms into a scene of humiliation and harsh truth for Agib.
Agib attends school, where his arrogance leads to a planned confrontation by his peers and the revelation of his true parentage by the schoolmaster.