VI NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Once, there was a kind man. He had two black dogs. But the dogs were not always dogs. They were his brothers! This is their story. The Kind Brother had two brothers. They were Big Brother and Middle Brother. Now they are black dogs. It is a magic story.
Their father gave them gold coins. Each brother got many coins. They all sold things at the market. They had many things to sell.
Big Brother wanted to travel. He wanted to sell things far away. He sold his things here. Then he went on a trip.
One year later, Big Brother came back. He was sad. He had no coins. The Kind Brother saw him. He said, "Come inside!" He gave new clothes. He gave him many gold coins. He shared his coins.
Middle Brother wanted to travel too. Kind Brother said, "Be careful!" He did not stop. He went on a trip.
One year later, Middle Brother came back. He was sad. He had no coins. The Kind Brother saw him. He said, "Come inside!" He gave new clothes. He gave him many gold coins. He shared his coins again.
Then Big Brother and Middle Brother came. They said, "Come with us!" They wanted to go. They asked him many times.
The Kind Brother said no. He said no many times. But his brothers kept asking. Finally, he said yes. He would go with them.
They got ready for the trip. Oh no! His brothers had no coins. They spent all their gold.
The Kind Brother was not angry. He shared his coins again. He gave coins to each brother. He kept some for himself. He was smart. He hid some coins. He put them in a safe place.
They bought many things to sell. They got on a big boat. The wind was nice. It pushed the boat. They sailed on the blue sea.
They sailed on the big blue sea. The wind pushed the boat. Where did they go? What did they find? That is a story... for another day. Goodnight.
Original Story
VI NUIT.
La sixième nuit étant venue, le sultan et son épouse se couchèrent. Dinarzade se réveilla à l'heure ordinaire, et appela la sultane. «Ma chère soeur, lui dit-elle, si vous ne dormez pas, je vous supplie en attendant le jour qui paraîtra bientôt, de me raconter quelqu'un de ces beaux contes que vous savez.» Schahriar prit alors la parole; «Je souhaiterais, dit-il, entendre l'histoire du second vieillard et des deux chiens noirs. - Je vais contenter votre curiosité, sire, répondit Scheherazade.» Le second vieillard, poursuivit-elle, s'adressant au génie, commença ainsi son histoire:
HISTOIRE DU SECOND VIEILLARD ET DES DEUX CHIENS NOIRS. «Grand prince des génies, vous saurez que nous sommes trois frères, ces deux chiens noirs que vous voyez, et moi qui suis le troisième. Notre père nous avait laissé, en mourant, à chacun mille sequins. Avec cette somme, nous embrassâmes tous trois la même profession: nous nous fîmes marchands. Peu de temps après que nous eûmes ouvert boutique, mon frère aîné, l'un de ces deux chiens, résolut de voyager et d'aller négocier dans les pays étrangers. Dans ce dessein, il vendit tout son fonds, et en acheta des marchandises propres au négoce qu'il voulait faire.
«Il partit, et fut absent une année entière. Au bout de ce temps- là, un pauvre qui me parut demander l'aumône se présenta à ma boutique. Je lui dis: Dieu vous assiste; - Dieu vous assiste aussi! me répondit-il; est-il possible que vous ne me reconnaissiez pas?» Alors l'envisageant avec attention, je le reconnus: «Ah! mon frère, m'écriai-je en l'embrassant, comment vous aurais-je pu reconnaître en cet état?» Je le fis entrer dans ma maison, je lui demandai des nouvelles de sa santé et du succès de son voyage.» Ne me faites pas cette question, me dit-il; en me voyant, vous voyez tout. Ce serait renouveler mon affliction, que de vous faire le détail de tous les malheurs qui me sont arrivés depuis un an, et qui m'ont réduit à l'état où je suis.»
«Je fis fermer aussitôt ma boutique, et abandonnant tout autre soin, je le menai au bain, et lui donnai les plus beaux habits de ma garde-robe. J'examinai mes registres de vente et d'achat, et trouvant que j'avais doublé mon fonds, c'est-à-dire, que j'étais riche de deux mille sequins, je lui en donnai la moitié, «avec cela, mon frère, lui dis-je, vous pourrez oublier la perte que vous avez faite.» Il accepta les mille sequins avec joie, rétablit ses affaires, et nous vécûmes ensemble comme nous avions vécu auparavant.
«Quelque temps après, mon second frère, qui est l'autre de ces deux chiens, voulut aussi vendre son fonds. Nous fîmes, son aîné et moi tout ce que nous pûmes pour l'en détourner; mais il n'y eut pas moyen. Il le vendit, et de l'argent qu'il en fit, il acheta des marchandises propres au négoce étranger qu'il voulait entreprendre. Il se joignit à une caravane, et partit. Il revint au bout de l'an dans le même état que son frère aîné; je le fis habiller; et comme j'avais encore mille sequins par-dessus mon fonds, je les lui donnai. Il releva boutique, et continua d'exercer sa profession.
«Un jour mes deux frères vinrent me trouver pour me proposer de faire un voyage, et d'aller trafiquer avec eux. Je rejetai d'abord leur proposition; «Vous avez voyagé, leur dis-je, qu'y avez-vous gagné? Qui m'assurera que je serai plus heureux que vous?» En vain ils me représentèrent là-dessus tout ce qui leur sembla devoir m'éblouir et m'encourager à tenter la fortune; je refusai d'entrer dans leur dessein. Mais ils revinrent tant de fois à la charge, qu'après avoir pendant cinq ans résisté constamment à leurs sollicitations, je m'y rendis enfin. Mais quand il fallut faire les préparatifs du voyage, et qu'il fut question d'acheter les marchandises dont nous avions besoin, il se trouva qu'ils avaient tout mangé, et qu'il ne leur restait rien des mille sequins que je leur avais donnés à chacun. Je ne leur en fis pas le moindre reproche; au contraire, comme mon fonds était de six mille sequins, j'en partageai la moitié avec eux, en leur disant: «Mes frères, il faut risquer ces trois mille sequins, et cacher les autres en quelque endroit sûr, afin que si notre voyage n'est pas plus heureux que ceux que vous avez déjà faits, nous ayons de quoi nous en consoler, et reprendre notre ancienne profession.» Je donnai donc mille sequins à chacun, j'en gardai autant pour moi, et j'enterrai les trois mille autres dans un coin de ma maison. Nous achetâmes des marchandises, et après les avoir embarquées sur un vaisseau que nous frétâmes entre nous trois, nous fîmes mettre à la voile avec un vent favorable. Après un mois de navigation…»
Mais je vois le jour, poursuivit Scheherazade, il faut que j'en demeure-là. «Ma soeur, dit Dinarzade, voilà un conte qui promet beaucoup, je m'imagine que la suite en est fort extraordinaire. - Vous ne vous trompez pas, répondit la sultane; et si le sultan me permet de vous la conter, je suis persuadée qu'elle vous divertira fort.» Schahriar se leva comme le jour précédent, sans s'expliquer là-dessus; et ne donna point ordre au grand vizir de faire mourir sa fille.
Story DNA
Moral
Prudence and generosity are often rewarded, while recklessness can lead to ruin.
Plot Summary
On the sixth night, Scheherazade begins the story of the second old man, who recounts his life to a genie. He explains that he and his two brothers, now black dogs, each inherited 1000 sequins and became merchants. His elder brother lost all his wealth on a trading voyage and returned impoverished, but the narrator generously shared his own doubled fortune. The second brother suffered the same fate and was also helped by the narrator. Eventually, the two brothers persuaded the reluctant narrator to join them on a third voyage, having squandered their previous funds. The prudent narrator divided his remaining wealth, giving each brother 1000 sequins, keeping 1000 for himself, and burying 3000 for security before they set sail.
Themes
Emotional Arc
uncertainty to anticipation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The framing story of One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights) is a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. The specific tale of the second old man is one of many nested within Scheherazade's larger narrative.
Plot Beats (13)
- Scheherazade is asked by the Sultan to tell the story of the second old man and the two black dogs.
- The second old man, addressing the genie, begins his tale by introducing himself and his two brothers, who are the black dogs.
- He explains that their father left each of them 1000 sequins, and they all became merchants.
- The elder brother decides to travel for trade, sells his goods, and departs.
- After a year, the elder brother returns as a beggar; the narrator recognizes him, brings him home, clothes him, and gives him half of his doubled fortune (1000 sequins).
- The second brother also decides to travel for trade, despite the narrator's warnings.
- He returns a year later in the same impoverished state as the elder brother; the narrator again helps him with 1000 sequins from his own earnings.
- After some time, both brothers try to persuade the narrator to join them on a new trading voyage.
- The narrator resists for five years, citing their past failures, but eventually agrees.
- When preparing for the trip, the narrator discovers his brothers have squandered the money he gave them.
- Without reproach, the narrator shares half of his 6000 sequins (3000 sequins) with them, giving 1000 to each brother and keeping 1000 for himself, while burying the remaining 3000.
- They buy merchandise, charter a ship, and set sail with a favorable wind.
- Scheherazade stops the story as dawn breaks, promising to continue the next night.
Characters
Schahriar
A man of imposing stature, likely with a well-maintained physique befitting a ruler. His features would suggest a Middle Eastern or North African ethnicity, with a strong jawline and perhaps a neatly trimmed beard.
Attire: Rich, flowing robes made of fine silk or brocade, in deep jewel tones like sapphire or emerald, possibly embroidered with gold thread. He would wear a jeweled turban, indicative of his royal status as a Sultan.
Wants: To be entertained and to find a reason to trust women again, or at least to delay his cruel decree.
Flaw: His past trauma and distrust of women, which led to his initial tyrannical behavior.
He is slowly being softened and intrigued by Scheherazade's stories, moving away from his initial murderous intent.
Curious, contemplative (as he refrains from executing Scheherazade), somewhat stern, and capable of being swayed by compelling narratives.
Scheherazade
A woman of graceful build, likely slender but with an inner strength. Her features would be consistent with Middle Eastern or North African ethnicity, perhaps with a delicate nose and expressive eyes.
Attire: Elegant, modest, yet luxurious attire, such as a finely embroidered caftan or a two-piece ensemble of a long tunic and flowing trousers, made of soft silk or fine cotton in muted but rich colors like cream, rose, or pale gold. She would wear subtle, elegant jewelry.
Wants: To save her own life, to save the lives of other women, and to heal the Sultan's heart and mind through the power of storytelling.
Flaw: Her life is constantly at risk, dependent on her ability to captivate the Sultan.
She is actively working to transform the Sultan's heart and mind, using her storytelling as a tool for survival and change.
Intelligent, resourceful, courageous, eloquent, and compassionate.
Dinarzade
Likely similar in appearance to her sister, Scheherazade, but perhaps with a slightly softer or more innocent demeanor. Her features would also be consistent with Middle Eastern or North African ethnicity.
Attire: Modest but well-made garments, perhaps a simple tunic and trousers or a less ornate caftan than her sister, in soft, pleasing colors like lavender or pale green. She would wear minimal jewelry.
Wants: To support her sister and to hear the continuation of the captivating tales.
Flaw: Her vulnerability and dependence on her sister's survival.
Her role is primarily to facilitate the storytelling, but she also represents the audience captivated by Scheherazade's tales.
Curious, supportive, loyal, and eager to hear stories.
The Second Old Man
A man of mature age, likely with a weathered but kind face from his experiences. His build would be average, not particularly strong or frail, reflecting his life as a merchant. His ethnicity would be consistent with the Arabian Nights setting.
Attire: Practical but respectable merchant's attire: a long, loose-fitting tunic (qamis) over trousers, perhaps a vest, made of durable cotton or linen in earthy tones like brown, beige, or muted blue. He would wear a simple head covering like a turban or keffiyeh.
Wants: To share his story and seek justice or understanding from the Genie.
Flaw: His initial susceptibility to his brothers' persistent persuasion.
He is recounting his past experiences, highlighting his wisdom and the folly of his brothers.
Generous, patient, resilient, and cautious (after his brothers' misfortunes).
The Elder Brother (First Black Dog)
A large, sleek black dog, with a somewhat forlorn or intense expression in its canine eyes. Its fur would be dark and glossy.
Attire: None (as a dog).
Wants: Initially, to seek fortune through trade. Later, to persuade his younger brother to join them.
Flaw: Poor judgment, bad luck, and a tendency to squander resources.
His transformation into a black dog is a consequence of his past actions, yet to be fully revealed.
Impulsive, adventurous, prone to misfortune, and perhaps somewhat ungrateful or irresponsible (as implied by his repeated failures).
The Second Brother (Second Black Dog)
A large, sleek black dog, similar to his elder brother, perhaps with a slightly different build or expression, but still conveying a sense of past human identity. Its fur would be dark and glossy.
Attire: None (as a dog).
Wants: Initially, to seek fortune through trade. Later, to persuade his younger brother to join them.
Flaw: Poor judgment, bad luck, and a tendency to squander resources.
His transformation into a black dog is a consequence of his past actions, yet to be fully revealed.
Impulsive, adventurous, prone to misfortune, and perhaps somewhat ungrateful or irresponsible (as implied by his repeated failures), mirroring his elder brother.
Locations
The Sultan's Bedchamber
An opulent bedchamber within an Arabian palace, likely adorned with rich textiles, intricate geometric patterns, and soft lighting from oil lamps or moonlight filtering through mashrabiya screens.
Mood: Intimate, suspenseful, expectant, as stories unfold to determine life or death.
Scheherazade tells the beginning of the story of the second old man and the two black dogs to the Sultan and Dinarzade.
The Merchant's Boutique
A bustling shop in a vibrant Arabian souk, filled with various goods. It would feature an open front, allowing interaction with passersby, and an interior organized with shelves and display areas for merchandise.
Mood: Lively, commercial, initially prosperous, then later a place of reunion and generosity.
The merchant conducts his business, and later, his impoverished elder brother returns to this shop seeking aid.
The Merchant's House (with hidden treasure)
A private residence connected to the merchant's shop, featuring a hidden corner where valuables are buried. It would be a traditional Arabian home, possibly with a courtyard, but the focus is on a secure, private space.
Mood: Private, secure, a place of refuge and financial planning.
The merchant brings his impoverished brother home, provides him with new clothes and money, and later buries a portion of his wealth for safekeeping before embarking on a journey.