LXXXVIII NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Some people went on a trip. Little Agib was very excited! Grandpa Mohammed traveled. Agib's Mom traveled. Agib traveled too. They went on a journey. It was a long journey.
They came to a pretty field. A river was there. The water flowed gently. They put up their tents. This was their camp. Their camp was calm.
Grandpa Mohammed said, "We stay here." They stayed. He let his people go. They could see the city. Big City was the city name. It was a famous city.
Agib's Mom wanted Agib to see. She wanted him to see Big City. She told Agib's Guardian. "Take Agib to the city," she said. "Keep him safe there." The city was big.
Agib wore nice clothes. His clothes were very pretty. He looked very smart. He went with Agib's Guardian. They walked into the city. The city was busy.
Agib was very handsome. He looked so nice. All saw Agib. They looked at his face. They smiled at him. People liked Agib. All looked. They thought he was great. They whispered about him.
People stopped to look. Some came from their houses. They looked from windows. All wanted to see Agib. They walked with Agib. They followed him in the street. Agib was very special. Many people looked. The crowd grew bigger.
More and more people came. A big crowd formed. They stood around Agib. They stood around Agib's Guardian. Agib and his Guardian stopped. They could not walk more. It was too crowded now.
They stopped at a shop. It was a cake shop. Yummy cakes were inside. The cakes smelled sweet. Mr. Hassan owned the shop. He made many good cakes. He was a cake maker. He made sweet treats.
Mr. Hassan was in his shop. He saw the big crowd. He looked outside. He saw Agib. He saw Agib's Guardian. Mr. Hassan looked hard. He wanted to know. He wondered who they were. He watched them.
Original Story
LXXXVIII NUIT.
Sire, le grand vizir Giafar adressant toujours la parole au calife Haroun Alraschid: «Schemseddin Mohammed, dit-il, prit la route de Damas avec sa fille Dame de Beauté et Agib son petit-fils. Ils marchèrent dix-neuf jours de suite sans s'arrêter en nul endroit; mais le vingtième, étant arrivés dans une fort belle prairie peu éloignée des portes de Damas, ils mirent pied à terre et firent dresser leurs tentes sur le bord d'une rivière qui passe à travers la ville et rend ses environs très-agréables.
«Le vizir Schemseddin Mohammed déclara qu'il voulait séjourner deux jours dans ce beau lieu, et que le troisième il continuerait son voyage. Cependant il permit aux gens de sa suite d'aller à Damas. Ils profitèrent presque tous de cette permission, les uns poussés par la curiosité de voir une ville dont ils avaient ouï parler si avantageusement, les autres pour y vendre des marchandises d'Égypte qu'ils avaient apportées, ou pour y acheter des étoffes et des raretés du pays. Dame de Beauté souhaitant que son fils Agib eût aussi la satisfaction de se promener dans cette célèbre ville, ordonna à l'eunuque noir qui servait de gouverneur à cet enfant de l'y conduire, et de bien prendre garde qu'il ne lui arrivât quelque accident.
«Agib, magnifiquement habillé, se mit en chemin avec l'eunuque, qui avait à la main une grosse canne. Ils ne furent pas plus tôt entrés dans la ville, qu'Agib, qui était beau comme le jour, attira sur lui les yeux de tout le monde. Les uns sortaient de leurs maisons pour le voir de plus près; les autres mettaient la tête aux fenêtres, et ceux qui passaient dans les rues ne se contentaient pas de s'arrêter pour le regarder, ils l'accompagnaient pour avoir le plaisir de le considérer plus longtemps. Enfin il n'y avait personne qui ne l'admirât et qui ne donnât mille bénédictions au père et à la mère qui avaient mis au monde un si bel enfant. L'eunuque et lui arrivèrent par hasard devant la boutique où était Bedreddin Hassan, et là ils se virent entourés d'une si grande foule de peuple qu'ils furent obligés de s'arrêter.
«Le pâtissier qui avait adopté Bedreddin Hassan était mort depuis quelques années, et lui avait laissé, comme à son héritier, sa boutique avec tous ses autres biens. Bedreddin était donc alors maître de la boutique, et il exerçait la profession de pâtissier si habilement qu'il était en grande réputation dans Damas. Voyant que tant de monde assemblé devant sa porte regardait avec beaucoup d'attention Agib et l'eunuque noir, il se mit à les regarder aussi.»
Scheherazade, à ces mots, voyant paraître le jour, se tut, et Schahriar se leva fort impatient de savoir ce qui se passerait entre Agib et Bedreddin. La sultane satisfit son impatience sur la fin de la nuit suivante, et reprit ainsi la parole:
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Vizier Schemseddin Mohammed, his daughter Dame de Beauté, and grandson Agib are traveling and set up camp near Damascus. Dame de Beauté sends Agib, a boy of extraordinary beauty, into the city with an eunuch. Agib's appearance immediately captivates everyone, drawing large crowds who follow and admire him. This attention forces Agib and the eunuch to stop in front of the pastry shop of Bedreddin Hassan, a renowned local chef, who then observes the commotion.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anticipation to intrigue
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 Caliph Shahriar is central to its structure.
Plot Beats (10)
- Vizier Schemseddin Mohammed, his daughter Dame de Beauté, and grandson Agib journey for nineteen days.
- They arrive at a beautiful meadow near Damascus and set up camp by a river.
- Schemseddin Mohammed decides to stay for two days, allowing his retinue to visit Damascus.
- Dame de Beauté instructs a black eunuch to take her son Agib to see the famous city.
- Agib, dressed splendidly, and the eunuch enter Damascus.
- Agib's exceptional beauty immediately draws the attention and admiration of everyone in the city.
- People stop, exit their homes, and lean from windows to gaze at Agib, following him through the streets.
- A large crowd forms around Agib and the eunuch, forcing them to halt.
- They stop in front of the pastry shop of Bedreddin Hassan, who inherited it from his adoptive father.
- Bedreddin Hassan, a renowned pastry chef, notices the crowd and begins to observe Agib and the eunuch.
Characters
Schemseddin Mohammed
A man of mature years, likely with a dignified bearing, reflecting his status as a vizier. His build would be consistent with a life of relative comfort and authority.
Attire: Rich, flowing robes of fine silk or brocade, perhaps in deep blues, greens, or reds, indicative of his vizier status. He would wear a turban, possibly adorned with a jewel, and soft leather slippers.
Wants: To ensure the safety and well-being of his family, particularly his daughter and grandson, and to manage his affairs with wisdom.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but perhaps a tendency to be overly cautious or protective, which could limit his family's experiences.
In this excerpt, he is a static character, initiating a journey and a temporary stop.
Prudent, responsible, caring (towards his family), authoritative, appreciative of beauty (choosing a beautiful meadow for rest).
Dame de Beauté
A woman of striking beauty, as her name suggests. Her build would be graceful and elegant, typical of a noblewoman.
Attire: Exquisite, flowing garments of fine silk, possibly in vibrant colors, adorned with delicate embroidery or subtle patterns. She would wear a light veil or head covering, and perhaps some elegant jewelry.
Wants: To ensure her son's happiness and safety, and to enjoy the journey and new experiences.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but perhaps a tendency to be overly doting on her son.
A static character in this excerpt, focused on her son's experience.
Caring (towards her son), thoughtful, desirous of her son's happiness, observant.
Agib
A young boy, described as 'beautiful as the day,' implying striking good looks, fair complexion, and a delicate yet healthy build.
Attire: Magnificent and luxurious clothing, likely of fine silk or brocade, in rich colors, perhaps with subtle gold embroidery, befitting a grandson of a vizier. He would wear a small, elegant turban or cap.
Wants: To experience the wonders of the city of Damascus and satisfy his curiosity.
Flaw: His youth and innocence make him vulnerable and dependent on his guardian.
In this excerpt, he is a catalyst, his presence drawing the attention of Bedreddin Hassan.
Innocent, captivating, naturally draws attention, curious (implied by his desire to see the city).
The Black Eunuch
A man of African descent, likely with a strong, imposing build, befitting his role as a guardian. His height would be average to tall.
Attire: Practical but respectable attire, perhaps a simple tunic and trousers of sturdy linen or cotton, in muted colors, suitable for travel and guardianship. He would carry a large staff or cane.
Wants: To faithfully execute his duty of protecting Agib and ensuring his safety.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but his rigid adherence to duty might make him less flexible in unexpected situations.
A static character, fulfilling his role as guardian.
Diligent, protective, responsible, observant, loyal.
Bedreddin Hassan
A skilled pâtissier, implying a healthy, perhaps slightly robust build from his trade. His appearance would be pleasant and approachable.
Attire: Practical but clean clothing suitable for a successful artisan, perhaps a simple tunic and trousers of good quality linen or cotton, possibly with a clean apron over it, in earthy tones. He would wear soft leather shoes.
Wants: To maintain his reputation as a master pâtissier and to run his business successfully. His immediate motivation is curiosity about the crowd.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated in this excerpt, but perhaps a tendency to be easily distracted by unusual occurrences.
In this excerpt, he is introduced as an established character whose attention is captured by Agib, setting up a future interaction.
Skilled, reputable, observant, curious, established.
Locations
Prairie near Damascus
A very beautiful prairie located not far from the gates of Damascus, situated on the bank of a river that flows through the city and makes its surroundings very pleasant.
Mood: Peaceful, refreshing, temporary respite
Schemseddin Mohammed, Dame de Beauté, and Agib set up camp here after a long journey, deciding to rest before entering Damascus.
Streets of Damascus
Bustling streets within the city of Damascus, filled with people, houses, and shops. The architecture suggests a vibrant, ancient Middle Eastern city.
Mood: Lively, curious, admiring, bustling
Agib, accompanied by his eunuch, walks through the city, drawing immense attention and admiration from the populace.
Bedreddin Hassan's Pastry Shop
A pastry shop in Damascus, inherited by Bedreddin Hassan, where he is renowned for his skill. It is located on a busy street, attracting a crowd.
Mood: Busy, aromatic, central, public
Agib and the eunuch stop in front of this shop due to the crowd, leading to Bedreddin Hassan observing Agib for the first time.