XII NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Once, a king was very sick and sad. He felt weak. He did not smile. He stayed in his big bed all day.
A kind doctor came to help him. The doctor had a special stick. It was a magic stick. "Play with this stick," said the doctor. "Play a fun game. Play until you sweat."
The doctor explained. "The magic in the stick will help you. When you sweat, the magic goes into your body. It will make you strong."
Then the doctor gave more instructions. "After you play, go home. Wash your body with water. Wash away all the sweat. Then go to sleep. You will feel much better in the morning."
The king listened. He wanted to be healthy. He took the magic stick. He went outside to play. He played very hard. He hit a ball with the stick. He ran fast. He ran and ran. His hands sweated. His face sweated. His whole body sweated. He felt the magic working. He felt hopeful.
The king was tired but happy. He went home. He washed his body. He washed away all the sweat. He felt clean. He went to sleep. He slept very well that night.
In the morning, the king woke up. He opened his eyes. He was not sick anymore! He felt strong. His skin was clean and clear. He was all better! He jumped out of bed.
The king put on his fine clothes. He put on his golden crown. He walked to the big room. He sat on his throne. Everyone came to see him. They saw he was healthy and strong.
The people were very happy. They cheered for their king. "Hooray!" they shouted. They clapped their hands. They smiled big, happy smiles.
The doctor came into the room. He bowed to the king. The king smiled a big smile. "Thank you, doctor!" he said. "Sit here by me. You are my friend."
The king and the doctor ate together. They ate good food. They talked and laughed. They became very good friends.
The king was happy and healthy again. He always said thank you. He thanked the doctor every day for his help.
Original Story
XII NUIT.
La douzième nuit était déjà fort avancée, lorsque Dinarzade, s'étant réveillée, s'écria: «Ma soeur, si vous ne dormez pas, je vous supplie de continuer l'agréable histoire du roi grec et du médecin Douban. - Je le veux bien, répondit Scheherazade.» En même temps, elle en reprit le fil de cette sorte:
Sire, le pêcheur, parlant toujours au génie qu'il tenait enfermé dans le vase, poursuivit ainsi: «Le médecin Douban se leva, et, après avoir fait une profonde révérence, dit au roi qu'il jugeait à propos que sa majesté montât à cheval, et se rendît à la place pour jouer au mail. Le roi fit ce qu'on lui disait; et lorsqu'il fut dans le lieu destiné à jouer au mail[12] à cheval, le médecin s'approcha de lui avec le mail qu'il avait préparé, et le lui présentant: «Tenez, sire, lui dit-il, exercez-vous avec ce mail, en poussant cette boule avec, par la place, jusqu'à ce que vous sentiez votre main et votre corps en sueur. Quand le remède que j'ai enfermé dans le manche de ce mail sera échauffé par votre main, il vous pénétrera par tout le corps; et sitôt que vous suerez, vous n'aurez qu'à quitter cet exercice: car le remède aura fait son effet. Dès que vous serez de retour en votre palais, vous entrerez au bain, et vous vous ferez bien laver et frotter; vous vous coucherez ensuite; et en vous levant demain matin, vous serez guéri.»
«Le roi prit le mail, et poussa son cheval après la boule qu'il avait jetée. Il la frappa; et elle lui fut renvoyée par les officiers qui jouaient avec lui; il la refrappa, et enfin le jeu dura si longtemps, que sa main en sua, aussi bien que tout son corps. Ainsi, le remède enfermé dans le manche du mail opéra comme le médecin l'avait dit. Alors, le roi cessa de jouer, s'en retourna dans son palais, entra au bain, et observa très- exactement ce qui lui avait été prescrit. Il s'en trouva fort bien: car le lendemain, en se levant, il s'aperçut, avec autant d'étonnement que de joie, que sa lèpre était guérie, et qu'il avait le corps aussi net que s'il n'eût jamais été attaqué de cette maladie. D'abord qu'il fut habillé, il entra dans la salle d'audience publique, où il monta sur son trône, et se fit voir à tous ses courtisans, que l'empressement d'apprendre le succès du nouveau remède y avait fait aller de bonne heure. Quand ils virent le roi parfaitement guéri, ils en firent tous paraître une extrême joie.
«Le médecin Douban entra dans la salle, et s'alla prosterner au pied du trône, la face contre terre. Le roi l'ayant aperçu, l'appela, le fit asseoir à son côté, et le montra à l'assemblée, en lui donnant publiquement toutes les louanges qu'il méritait. Ce prince n'en demeura pas là; comme il régalait ce jour-là toute sa cour, il le fit manger à sa table, seul avec lui…» À ces mots, Scheherazade, remarquant qu'il était jour, cessa de poursuivre son conte:
«Ma soeur, dit Dinarzade, je ne sais quelle sera la fin de cette histoire, mais j'en trouve le commencement admirable. - Ce qui reste à raconter en est le meilleur, répondit la sultane; et je suis assurée que vous n'en disconviendrez pas, si le sultan veut bien me permettre de l'achever la nuit prochaine.» Schahriar y consentit, et se leva fort satisfait de ce qu'il avait entendu.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
In the ongoing tale from Scheherazade, the physician Douban instructs the leprous King of Greece to play polo with a specially prepared mallet. The king follows the instructions, playing until he sweats, allowing the medicine within the mallet to penetrate his body. After bathing and resting, the king awakens the next morning completely cured of his leprosy. He joyfully reveals his transformation to his court and publicly honors Douban, seating him at his side and dining with him.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is a segment from 'One Thousand and One Nights' (Arabian Nights), a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories and folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. The frame story involves Scheherazade telling tales to Sultan Shahryar to delay her execution.
Plot Beats (15)
- Dinarzade asks Scheherazade to continue the story of the Greek king and the physician Douban.
- Scheherazade continues the story, with the fisherman narrating to the genie.
- Physician Douban instructs the king to play polo with a specially prepared mallet until he sweats.
- Douban explains that the medicine in the mallet's handle will penetrate the king's body as he sweats.
- The king is told to bathe and rest after playing, and he will be cured by morning.
- The king plays polo vigorously, sweating profusely as the remedy takes effect.
- The king returns to his palace, follows the bathing and resting instructions precisely.
- The next morning, the king awakens completely cured of his leprosy, his body clear.
- The king, dressed, enters the public audience hall and sits on his throne, revealing his cure to his eager courtiers.
- The courtiers express immense joy at the king's recovery.
- Douban enters, prostrates himself, and the king calls him to sit beside him, publicly praising him.
- The king further honors Douban by having him dine at his table alone with him.
- Scheherazade stops her tale as day breaks.
- Dinarzade expresses admiration for the story's beginning, and Scheherazade promises the best is yet to come.
- Sultan Schahriar consents to hear the rest of the story the following night.
Characters
Scheherazade
Slender and graceful, with an elegant bearing. Her movements are fluid and expressive, enhancing her storytelling.
Attire: Luxurious, flowing robes of fine silk and brocade, often in deep jewel tones like sapphire or emerald, adorned with delicate gold embroidery. She wears a light, sheer veil that frames her face but does not obscure it, and ornate gold jewelry, including bracelets and earrings.
Wants: To survive by entertaining the Sultan with stories, thereby preventing her own execution and ultimately saving the lives of other women.
Flaw: Her life is constantly at risk, dependent on the Sultan's fickle interest.
Through her nightly stories, she gradually transforms the Sultan's hardened heart, moving him from a vengeful tyrant to a just and appreciative ruler.
Intelligent, resourceful, courageous, captivating, eloquent.
Dinarzade
Slightly younger and perhaps less imposing than her sister, with a gentle and attentive demeanor.
Attire: Comfortable but elegant Arabian nightclothes, perhaps a simple, finely woven cotton or linen tunic and trousers, in soft, muted colors, suitable for a bedchamber. Minimal, delicate jewelry.
Wants: To support her sister Scheherazade and ensure her survival by prompting her to continue her stories each night.
Flaw: Relies heavily on her sister's wit and courage for her own safety and the well-being of the kingdom.
Remains a constant, supportive presence, her role primarily to facilitate Scheherazade's storytelling.
Supportive, curious, appreciative, gentle, loyal.
Sultan Schahriar
A powerful and imposing figure, likely with a strong build, reflecting his authority and past martial prowess. His presence commands respect, but also carries a hint of weariness or severity from his past actions.
Attire: Rich, regal Arabian attire: a flowing silk thobe or kaftan in deep, royal colors like crimson or purple, embroidered with gold thread. He wears a jeweled turban, perhaps with a prominent feather or a large gem, and ornate gold rings. A curved, jeweled scimitar might be at his side, though not explicitly mentioned in this excerpt.
Wants: Initially driven by a desire for vengeance against perceived female infidelity, he later seeks entertainment and wisdom from Scheherazade's stories.
Flaw: His initial mistrust and cruelty, which led him to execute his wives.
Begins as a tyrannical ruler, but through Scheherazade's stories, he slowly softens, learns compassion, and eventually becomes a wise and just king.
Initially cruel, vengeful, suspicious, but gradually becomes intrigued, appreciative, and just.
King Grec
A king afflicted by leprosy, suggesting a weakened or disfigured appearance before his cure. After the cure, he is described as having a body as 'net' (clean) as if he had never been ill, implying a return to a healthy, regal physique.
Attire: Royal attire befitting a Greek king, which in the context of the Arabian Nights might be interpreted as rich, flowing robes of silk or brocade, possibly with a mantle, and a golden crown or diadem. After his cure, his clothes would be clean and celebratory.
Wants: To be cured of his leprosy.
Flaw: His debilitating illness.
Transforms from a suffering, leprous king to a healthy, grateful, and just ruler who rewards his healer generously.
Suffering, hopeful, trusting (of Douban), grateful, just (in rewarding Douban).
Médecin Douban
A wise and distinguished physician, likely of a mature age, with an air of quiet confidence and intelligence. His build would be average, not overly strong, but his presence would be commanding due to his intellect.
Attire: Practical yet dignified attire befitting a learned physician in an Arabian context: a long, simple tunic or robe of fine linen or cotton, perhaps in a muted color like deep blue or forest green, possibly with a subtle pattern. He might wear a simple turban or cap. No excessive ornamentation, emphasizing his scholarly nature.
Wants: To cure the king and demonstrate his medical prowess.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated in this excerpt, but in the broader story, his success makes him vulnerable to envy.
Introduced as the miraculous healer, his arc in this segment is one of successful treatment and receiving royal favor.
Intelligent, innovative, confident, respectful, effective.
Locations
Royal Palace Audience Hall
A grand, spacious hall within an Arabian palace, likely adorned with intricate geometric tile mosaics, muqarnas vaults, and rich textiles. A raised throne dominates the space, where the king sits.
Mood: Formal, celebratory, awe-inspiring
The king, completely cured of his leprosy, appears before his court, demonstrating his miraculous recovery and publicly honoring the physician Douban.
Royal Palace Bathhouse
A private, luxurious bathhouse within the Arabian palace, designed for the king's use. It would feature marble surfaces, possibly a domed ceiling with small openings for light, and a pool for bathing.
Mood: Private, cleansing, therapeutic
The king follows the physician's instructions, entering the bathhouse to wash and complete the healing process after his game of mail.
Royal Palace Dining Hall
A lavish dining hall within the Arabian palace, set for a royal feast. It would feature low tables, cushions for seating, and an abundance of food served on ornate platters.
Mood: Festive, opulent, intimate (for the king and physician)
The king hosts a feast for his court and dines privately with the physician Douban, further demonstrating his gratitude and favor.
Royal Mail Playing Ground
A large, open field or designated area near the Arabian palace, suitable for playing mail (a polo-like game). The ground would be firm and relatively flat, possibly with some sparse, dry vegetation.
Mood: Active, open, therapeutic
The king plays mail as prescribed by the physician, allowing the medicinal properties of the mallet to take effect through his sweat.