XCI NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, Shem was a kind uncle. He loved his loved ones very much.
The boy was in the city. He made sweet cakes. Uncle Shem left the city. He left after three days. Uncle Shem went on a long trip.
Uncle Shem traveled for many days. He went very far away. He saw many towns. He crossed a big river. He looked for the boy. He traveled and traveled.
Uncle Shem came to the town. He wanted to talk to the King. The King heard about Uncle Shem. The King said, 'Come in.'
The King was kind to Uncle Shem. He asked, 'Why are you here?' Uncle Shem had a reason. He came a long way.
Uncle Shem said, 'I look for my boy.' 'That is his name,' he said. 'He is my brother's son.' 'My brother was good to you, King.'
The King said, 'Your brother is gone now.' The boy went away too. 'He went away after his father.' 'No one saw him for long.' 'We looked for him. We looked all around.'
The King said, 'The boy's Mother is here.' 'She is my good friend.' 'She is still alive.' 'She lives in this city.'
Uncle Shem asked, 'May I see her?' 'May I take her to Egypt?' The King said, 'Yes, you may.'
Uncle Shem went to her house. He went right away.
She was in a special room. It was a quiet room. She was very sad. She cried for her boy. She thought he was lost for long.
Uncle Shem said, 'Do not cry.' 'I am your boy's uncle.' 'I came from far away.' 'I came to find him.'
Uncle Shem held the boy's mother's hand. 'Do not worry,' he said. 'We will find the boy. We will be loved ones again.' The boy's mother looked at Uncle Shem. A little bit of hope came into her heart. The long journey was not over, but Uncle Shem was here now.
Original Story
XCI NUIT.
Sur la fin de la nuit suivante, Scheherazade adressant la parole au sultan des Indes: Sire, dit-elle, le grand vizir Giafar poursuivit ainsi l'histoire de Bedreddin Hassan: «Bedreddin, dit- il, continua d'exercer sa profession de pâtissier à Damas, et son oncle Schemseddin Mohammed en partit trois jours après son arrivée. Il prit la route d'Emesse, d'où il se rendit à Hamah, et de là à Halep, où il s'arrêta deux jours. D'Halep il alla passer l'Euphrate, entra dans la Mésopotamie, et après avoir traversé Mardin, Moussoul, Sengiar, Diarbekir et plusieurs autres villes, arriva enfin à Balsora, où d'abord il fit demander audience au sultan, qui ne fut pas plus tôt informé du rang de Schemseddin Mohammed, qu'il la lui donna. Il le reçut même très-favorablement et lui demanda le sujet de son voyage à Balsora. «Sire, répondit le vizir Schemseddin Mohammed, je suis venu pour apprendre des nouvelles du fils de Noureddin Ali mon frère, qui a eu l'honneur de servir votre majesté. - Il y a longtemps que Noureddin Ali est mort, reprit le sultan. À l'égard de son fils, tout ce qu'on vous en pourra dire, c'est qu'environ deux mois après la mort de son père, il disparut tout à coup, et que personne ne l'a vu depuis ce temps-là, quelque soin que j'aie pris de le faire chercher. Mais sa mère, qui est fille d'un de mes vizirs, vit encore.» Schemseddin Mohammed lui demanda la permission de la voir et de l'emmener en Égypte, et le sultan y ayant consenti, il ne voulut pas différer au lendemain à se donner cette satisfaction: il se fit enseigner où demeurait cette dame, et se rendit chez elle à l'heure même, accompagné de sa fille et de son petit-fils.
«La veuve de Noureddin Ali demeurait toujours dans l'hôtel où avait demeuré son mari jusqu'à sa mort. C'était une très-belle maison, superbement bâtie et ornée de colonnes de marbre; mais Schemseddin Mohammed ne s'arrêta pas à l'admirer. En arrivant, il baisa la porte et un marbre sur lequel était écrit en lettres d'or le nom de son frère. Il demanda à parler à sa belle-soeur, dont les domestiques lui dirent qu'elle était dans un petit édifice en forme de dôme, qu'ils lui montrèrent, au milieu d'une cour très- spacieuse. En effet, cette tendre mère avait coutume d'aller passer la meilleure partie du jour et de la nuit dans cet édifice, qu'elle avait fait bâtir pour représenter le tombeau de Bedreddin Hassan, qu'elle croyait mort après l'avoir si longtemps attendu en vain. Elle y était alors occupée à pleurer ce cher fils, et Schemseddin Mohammed la trouva ensevelie dans une affliction mortelle.
«Il lui fit son compliment, et après l'avoir suppliée de suspendre ses larmes et ses gémissements, il lui apprit qu'il avait l'honneur d'être son beau-frère, et lui dit la raison qui l'avait obligé de partir du Caire et de venir à Balsora.»
En achevant ces mots, Scheherazade, voyant paraître le jour, cessa de poursuivre son récit; mais elle en reprit le fil de cette sorte sur la fin de la nuit suivante:
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Bedreddin Hassan works as a pastry chef in Damascus while his uncle, Schemseddin Mohammed, embarks on a vast journey across many cities to find him. Upon reaching Balsora, Schemseddin learns from the Sultan that his brother Noureddin Ali is dead and Bedreddin Hassan disappeared years ago. Granted permission to visit Bedreddin's mother, he finds her deeply grieving in a structure she built to symbolize her son's tomb. Schemseddin Mohammed then reveals his identity and the purpose of his journey, leaving the story on a cliffhanger as Scheherazade's narration pauses.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to hope
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Part of the larger 'One Thousand and One Nights' collection, framed by Scheherazade's storytelling to the Sultan. The story reflects a pre-modern, interconnected Middle Eastern world.
Plot Beats (13)
- Scheherazade continues the story of Bedreddin Hassan, who is working as a pastry chef in Damascus.
- His uncle, Schemseddin Mohammed, leaves Damascus three days after Bedreddin's arrival and begins a long journey.
- Schemseddin Mohammed travels through Emesse, Hamah, Halep, crosses the Euphrates, and passes through several cities in Mesopotamia.
- He finally arrives in Balsora and requests an audience with the Sultan.
- The Sultan receives him favorably and asks the purpose of his visit.
- Schemseddin Mohammed explains he is looking for his brother Noureddin Ali's son, Bedreddin Hassan.
- The Sultan informs him that Noureddin Ali died long ago and Bedreddin Hassan disappeared about two months after his father's death, despite search efforts.
- The Sultan adds that Bedreddin's mother, his vizier's daughter, is still alive.
- Schemseddin Mohammed requests permission to see her and take her to Egypt, which the Sultan grants.
- He immediately goes to her residence, accompanied by his daughter and grandson.
- He finds his sister-in-law in a dome-shaped building, built to represent Bedreddin Hassan's tomb, where she mourns her son, whom she believes to be dead.
- Schemseddin Mohammed greets her, asks her to stop weeping, and reveals himself as her brother-in-law, explaining his journey from Cairo to Balsora.
- Scheherazade stops her narration as day breaks.
Characters
Scheherazade
Slender and graceful, with features considered beautiful in the Arabian tradition. Her movements are elegant and controlled, reflecting her intelligence and composure under pressure.
Attire: Richly embroidered silk robes in deep jewel tones, possibly a kaftan or abaya, adorned with delicate gold threadwork and possibly small pearls. Her head is likely covered with a fine, sheer veil or a jeweled headpiece, though not explicitly stated, it is culturally appropriate for a queen in a sultan's court.
Wants: To save her own life and the lives of other women in the kingdom by captivating the Sultan with her stories, and ultimately to heal the Sultan's heart.
Flaw: Her life is constantly at risk, dependent on the Sultan's fickle attention and her ability to maintain suspense.
Through her nightly stories, she gradually transforms the Sultan's cruel nature, moving from a condemned woman to a respected queen.
Intelligent, resourceful, courageous, eloquent, empathetic.
Sultan of the Indies
A powerful and imposing figure, likely with a strong build befitting a ruler. His presence commands authority and a hint of severity, reflecting his past actions.
Attire: Opulent royal attire, such as a flowing silk thobe or kaftan, richly embroidered with gold and precious stones. He would wear a jeweled turban, indicative of his high status. A wide, ornate sash might hold a ceremonial dagger.
Wants: To exact revenge on women for perceived betrayal, to find distraction from his pain, and eventually, to find peace and wisdom.
Flaw: His deep-seated mistrust and anger towards women, which leads to his tyrannical behavior.
Begins as a cruel tyrant, but through Scheherazade's stories, he gradually softens, learns empathy, and eventually becomes a just and merciful ruler.
Cruel (initially), jaded, easily angered, but also curious, intelligent, and eventually softened by stories.
Grand Vizier Giafar
A man of mature age, likely with a dignified and scholarly appearance, reflecting his position as the Sultan's chief advisor. He would be well-groomed and carry himself with authority.
Attire: Formal court attire, such as a finely woven silk kaftan or robe in a muted, respectable color like deep green or burgundy, possibly with subtle embroidery. A turban, less ornate than the Sultan's but still indicative of high rank, would be worn.
Wants: To serve the Sultan, to protect his daughter Scheherazade, and to maintain order in the court.
Flaw: His inability to directly challenge the Sultan's cruel decrees, forcing him to send his own daughter to her potential death.
His role is primarily to introduce and frame Scheherazade's stories, acting as a narrative device rather than undergoing a significant personal arc within the excerpts provided.
Loyal, wise, dutiful, concerned for the welfare of the kingdom and his daughter.
Schemseddin Mohammed
A man of considerable importance, likely well-traveled and bearing the marks of a long journey. His appearance would reflect his status as a vizier.
Attire: Practical yet dignified traveling attire for a vizier, likely a sturdy but finely woven wool or linen robe over a tunic, in earthy tones, suitable for long journeys across the desert. A simple, practical turban would cover his head. He might carry a staff.
Wants: To find his nephew, Bedreddin Hassan, and bring him back to Egypt, and to comfort his sister-in-law.
Flaw: His deep sorrow and concern for his lost nephew and grieving sister-in-law can make him emotionally vulnerable.
His journey is a quest to reunite his family. He successfully finds his sister-in-law and learns of Bedreddin's disappearance, setting up the next part of the story.
Determined, loyal, persistent, empathetic, family-oriented.
Noureddin Ali's Widow
A woman of noble bearing, though deeply affected by grief. Her beauty is still evident despite her sorrow.
Attire: Simple, somber clothing, likely a dark, unadorned robe or dress of fine fabric, reflecting her mourning period. While still of good quality, it would lack the usual embellishments of a noblewoman.
Wants: To mourn her husband and her lost son, Bedreddin Hassan, whom she believes to be dead.
Flaw: Her overwhelming grief, which consumes her and prevents her from moving forward.
She is found in deep mourning, believing her son to be dead. Her arc is poised for a potential reunion and relief from her grief, though not yet realized in this excerpt.
Devoted, loving, deeply sorrowful, melancholic, persistent in her grief.
Bedreddin Hassan
Implied to be handsome and skilled, as he is the son of a noble family and a successful pastry chef. He would have a youthful vigor.
Attire: As a pastry chef, he would wear practical but clean and well-maintained clothing, likely a simple tunic and trousers, possibly with an apron, in light colors suitable for a kitchen. When not working, he might wear more refined, but still modest, attire.
Wants: To excel in his profession, to live his life, and eventually, to reunite with his family.
Flaw: His disappearance suggests a vulnerability to unforeseen circumstances or perhaps a lack of worldly experience.
His arc is currently one of separation and mystery, having disappeared from his family and taken up a new life. The story is about finding him and resolving his fate.
Skilled, diligent, perhaps a bit naive or easily led (implied by his disappearance), but fundamentally good-natured.
Locations
Bedreddin's Bakery in Damascus
A place where Bedreddin Hassan continues to practice his profession as a pastry chef.
Mood: Busy, industrious, ordinary
Bedreddin Hassan is working here, unaware of his uncle's search.
Noureddin Ali's Former Residence in Basra
A very beautiful house, superbly built and adorned with marble columns, where Noureddin Ali's widow still resides. Schemseddin Mohammed kisses the door and a marble slab inscribed with his brother's name in gold letters upon arrival.
Mood: Elegant, sorrowful, reverent
Schemseddin Mohammed arrives to meet his sister-in-law and finds her in mourning.
Domen-shaped Edifice (False Tomb) in the Courtyard
A small, dome-shaped building in the middle of a spacious courtyard, built by Noureddin Ali's widow to represent Bedreddin Hassan's tomb. She spends most of her day and night here, mourning her son.
Mood: Somber, sorrowful, isolated, devotional
Schemseddin Mohammed finds his sister-in-law here, deeply afflicted and mourning her son.