XIX NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Listen well, little one. I will tell you a fish story. Dina spoke. 'Sister, please tell more.' Shara smiled. 'Yes, I will tell you.'
The Fish Man brought four fish. They were very bright. The Sultan liked them much. He was very happy. He gave the Fish Man many gold coins.
The Sultan spoke to The Vizier. 'Take these fish to The Cook.' He said. 'She must cook them for me.'
The Cook put the fish in a pan. She cooked them on the fire. She turned them over. Then the kitchen wall opened. It was a big surprise.
A pretty lady came out. She wore a pretty dress. She had a magic stick. It was a green stick. She walked to the pan.
The Magic Lady touched a fish. She used her magic stick. She asked, 'Fish, do your job?'
All four Fish lifted their heads. They spoke as one. They said strange words. The Cook was scared.
The Magic Lady turned the pan over. The fish were ruined. She went back into the wall. The wall closed fast. She was gone.
The Cook was very scared. Her fish were ruined. They were black now. What would The Sultan say? She was very sad.
The Vizier came into the kitchen. He asked for the fish. The Cook told him all. He was very surprised. He did not speak.
The Vizier did not tell The Sultan. He sent for The Fish Man. He wanted four more fish. They must be like the first ones.
The Fish Man said yes. He would bring more fish. He did not tell his secret. He would come next day.
The Fish Man went to the pond. He caught four more fish. They were bright too. He gave them to The Vizier.
The Vizier went with The Cook. He watched her cook the new fish. She put them in the pan. He wanted to see.
The wall opened again! The same Magic Lady came out. She asked, 'Fish, do your job?' The Fish spoke again.
The sun came up. Shara stopped her story. She said, 'More next day.' The Sultan wanted more.
Original Story
XIX NUIT.
Vers la fin de la dix-neuvième nuit, Dinarzade appela la sultane, et lui dit: Ma soeur, si vous ne dormez pas, je vous supplie, en attendant le jour qui va paraître bientôt, de me raconter l'histoire du pêcheur; je suis dans une extrême impatience de l'entendre. Scheherazade, avec la permission du sultan, la reprit aussitôt de cette sorte:
Sire, je laisse à penser à votre majesté quelle fut la surprise du sultan lorsqu'il vit les quatre poissons que le pêcheur lui présenta. Il les prit l'un après l'autre pour les considérer avec attention, et après les avoir admirés assez longtemps: «Prenez ces poissons, dit-il à son premier vizir, et les portez à l'habile cuisinière que l'empereur des Grecs m'a envoyée; je m'imagine qu'ils ne seront pas moins bons qu'ils sont beaux.» Le vizir les porta lui-même à la cuisinière, et les lui remettant entre les mains: «Voilà, lui dit-il, quatre poissons qu'on vient d'apporter au sultan, il vous ordonne de les lui apprêter.» Après s'être acquitté de sa commission, il retourna vers le sultan son maître, qui le chargea de donner au pêcheur quatre cents pièces d'or de sa monnaie; ce qu'il exécuta très-fidèlement. Le pêcheur, qui n'avait jamais possédé une si grosse somme à la fois, concevait à peine son bonheur, et le regardait comme un songe. Mais il connut dans la suite qu'il était réel, par le bon usage qu'il en fit en l'employant aux besoins de sa famille.
Mais, sire, poursuivit Scheherazade, après vous avoir parlé du pêcheur, il faut vous parler aussi de la cuisinière du sultan, que nous allons trouver dans un grand embarras. D'abord qu'elle eut nettoyé les poissons que le vizir lui avait donnés, elle les mit sur le feu dans une casserole, avec de l'huile pour les frire; lorsqu'elle les crut assez cuits d'un côté, elle les tourna de l'autre. Mais, ô prodige inouï! à peine furent-ils tournés, que le mur de la cuisine s'entr'ouvrit. Il en sortit une jeune dame d'une beauté admirable, et d'une taille avantageuse; elle était habillée d'une étoffe de satin à fleurs, façon d'Égypte, avec des pendants d'oreille, un collier de grosses perles, et des bracelets d'or garnis de rubis; et elle tenait une baguette de myrte à la main. Elle s'approcha de la casserole, au grand étonnement de la cuisinière, qui demeura immobile à cette vue; et, frappant un des poissons du bout de sa baguette: «Poisson, poisson, lui dit-elle, es-tu dans ton devoir?» Le poisson n'ayant rien répondu, elle répéta les mêmes paroles, et alors les quatre poissons levèrent la tête tous ensemble, et lui dirent très-distinctement: «Oui, oui, si vous comptez, nous comptons; si vous payez vos dettes, nous payons les nôtres; si vous fuyez, nous vainquons et nous sommes contents.» Dès qu'ils eurent achevé ces mots, la jeune dame renversa la casserole, et rentra dans l'ouverture du mur, qui se referma aussitôt et se remit dans le même état où il était auparavant.
La cuisinière, que toutes ces merveilles avaient épouvantée, étant revenue de sa frayeur, alla relever les poissons qui étaient tombés sur la braise; mais elle les trouva plus noirs que du charbon, et hors d'état d'être servis au sultan. Elle en eut une vive douleur, et se mettant à pleurer de toute sa force: «Hélas! disait-elle, que vais-je devenir? Quand je conterai au sultan ce que j'ai vu, je suis assurée qu'il ne me croira point; dans quelle colère ne sera-t-il pas contre moi?»
Pendant qu'elle s'affligeait ainsi, le grand vizir entra, et lui demanda si les poissons étaient prêts. Elle lui raconta tout ce qui lui était arrivé, et ce récit, comme on le peut penser, l'étonna fort; mais, sans en parler au sultan, il inventa une fable qui le contenta. Cependant il envoya chercher le pêcheur à l'heure même, et quand il fut arrivé: «Pêcheur, lui dit-il, apporte-moi quatre autres poissons qui soient semblables à ceux que tu as déjà apportés: car il est survenu certain malheur qui a empêché qu'on ne les ait servis au sultan.» Le pêcheur ne lui dit pas ce que le génie lui avait recommandé; mais, pour se dispenser de fournir ce jour-là les poissons qu'on lui demandait, il s'excusa sur la longueur du chemin, et promit de les apporter le lendemain matin.
Effectivement, le pêcheur partit durant la nuit, et se rendit à l'étang. Il y jeta ses filets, et les ayant retirés, il y trouva quatre poissons qui étaient, comme les autres, chacun d'une couleur différente. Il s'en retourna aussitôt, et les porta au grand vizir dans le temps qu'il les lui avait promis. Ce ministre les prit et les emporta lui-même encore dans la cuisine, où il s'enferma seul avec la cuisinière, qui commença de les habiller devant lui, et qui les mit sur le feu, comme elle avait fait pour les quatre autres le jour précédent. Lorsqu'ils furent cuits d'un côté, et qu'elle les eut tournés de l'autre, le mur de la cuisine s'entr'ouvrit encore, et la même dame parut avec sa baguette à la main; elle s'approcha de la casserole, frappa un des poissons, lui adressa les mêmes paroles, et ils lui firent tous la même réponse en levant la tête.
Mais, sire, ajouta Scheherazade en se reprenant, voilà le jour qui paraît, et qui m'empêche de continuer cette histoire. Les choses que je viens de vous dire sont, à la vérité, très-singulières; mais si je suis en vie demain, je vous en dirai d'autres qui sont encore plus dignes de votre attention. Schahriar, jugeant bien que la suite devait être fort curieuse, résolut de l'attendre la nuit suivante.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
A poor fisherman brings four uniquely colored fish to the Sultan, receiving a generous reward. When the Sultan's cook prepares them, a mysterious lady emerges from a wall, interrogates the fish with a magic wand, and they respond cryptically before she overturns the pan, burning them. Terrified, the cook lies to the Grand Vizier, who, equally astonished, sends the fisherman for more fish. The Grand Vizier secretly observes the second attempt, witnessing the same supernatural event unfold, leaving him and the audience in suspense as Scheherazade pauses her tale.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to heightened suspense
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Part of the One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. The frame story of Scheherazade telling tales to Sultan Shahriar is central.
Plot Beats (16)
- Dinarzade asks Scheherazade to continue the story of the fisherman.
- The Sultan is amazed by the four colorful fish the fisherman brings and rewards him generously.
- The Sultan instructs his Grand Vizier to take the fish to his Greek cook for preparation.
- The cook begins to fry the fish, and when she turns them, a wall opens.
- A beautiful, richly dressed lady emerges from the wall, holding a myrtle wand.
- The lady strikes a fish with her wand and asks, 'Fish, fish, are you in your duty?'
- The four fish raise their heads and respond in unison with a cryptic phrase.
- The lady overturns the pan, burning the fish, and disappears back into the wall.
- The cook is terrified and distressed, fearing the Sultan's reaction to the ruined fish.
- The Grand Vizier enters, and the cook recounts the strange event, which astonishes him.
- To avoid the Sultan's anger, the Grand Vizier invents a lie and sends for the fisherman to get four more identical fish.
- The fisherman, without revealing his secret, agrees to bring the fish the next morning.
- The fisherman returns to the pond, catches four more colorful fish, and delivers them to the Grand Vizier.
- The Grand Vizier accompanies the cook to the kitchen and watches as she fries the new fish.
- The wall opens again, the same lady appears, interrogates the fish, and they respond as before.
- Scheherazade stops the story as dawn breaks, promising more astonishing events the following night.
Characters
Scheherazade
Slender and graceful, with features considered beautiful in Arabian culture. Her posture is poised and elegant, reflecting her royal status and intellectual prowess.
Attire: Rich, flowing silk robes (likely a caftan or similar garment) in deep jewel tones like sapphire or emerald, possibly embroidered with gold thread. Her attire is modest but luxurious, befitting a queen.
Wants: To survive by entertaining the Sultan with compelling stories, thereby delaying her execution and ultimately reforming his cruel decree.
Flaw: Her life is constantly at risk, dependent entirely on her ability to maintain the Sultan's interest.
From a woman facing certain death, she transforms into a beloved queen who heals her husband's heart and saves countless lives through her wisdom and courage.
Intelligent, resourceful, captivating, resilient, and articulate.
Dinarzade
Likely shares some familial resemblance with Scheherazade, perhaps slightly younger and less imposing in stature. Her build is delicate.
Attire: Comfortable but elegant nightclothes, perhaps a simple silk tunic and trousers in a soft, muted color like rose or lavender, suitable for a royal bedchamber.
Wants: To help her sister survive by prompting her to continue her stories each night.
Flaw: Dependent on her sister's survival and storytelling for her own well-being and the continuation of the tales.
Remains a constant, supportive presence, her role essential to the narrative structure but her personal arc is not detailed.
Supportive, curious, affectionate, and loyal.
Sultan Shahriar
A powerful and imposing figure, likely with a strong, muscular build befitting a ruler. His presence commands authority.
Attire: Opulent royal attire, such as a richly embroidered silk caftan in deep red or gold, with a jeweled turban. His clothing signifies immense wealth and power.
Wants: Initially, to prevent future betrayal by executing each wife after one night. Later, to hear the continuation of Scheherazade's captivating tales.
Flaw: His deep-seated mistrust of women and his own emotional wounds, which led to his tyrannical decree.
Transforms from a ruthless tyrant consumed by vengeance into a just and appreciative ruler, his heart softened by Scheherazade's tales.
Initially cruel, vengeful, and distrustful; later, intrigued, contemplative, and eventually softened by Scheherazade's stories.
The Fisherman
Lean and weathered from a life of labor under the sun. His hands are calloused and strong from handling nets and boats.
Attire: Simple, practical working clothes: a coarse linen tunic, loose trousers, and possibly a head covering, all in muted, earthy tones like brown, grey, or faded blue. His clothes are worn but clean.
Wants: To provide for his family through his daily catch. Later, to fulfill the Vizier's request for more fish.
Flaw: His poverty and simple nature make him easily overwhelmed by sudden wealth or unusual events.
Experiences a sudden, unexpected windfall of wealth, transforming his family's fortunes.
Humble, hardworking, honest, initially poor but content, later astonished and grateful.
The Grand Vizier
A man of authority, likely of a mature age, with a dignified and perhaps slightly portly build, indicative of his high status.
Attire: Formal court attire, such as a rich silk caftan in a deep color like maroon or forest green, possibly with a brocade pattern, and a finely wrapped turban. His clothing is less ostentatious than the Sultan's but still clearly denotes high rank.
Wants: To serve the Sultan faithfully and maintain order within the court, often trying to mitigate the Sultan's harsher decrees.
Flaw: His fear of the Sultan's wrath, which sometimes leads him to deception (e.g., inventing a fable about the fish).
Remains a constant, reliable figure, navigating the challenges of court life and the Sultan's unpredictable moods.
Loyal, resourceful, pragmatic, and cautious.
The Cook
A sturdy, practical woman, likely with a robust build from years of working in a busy kitchen.
Attire: Simple, functional kitchen attire: a plain linen tunic or dress, possibly with an apron, in light, washable fabrics. Her clothes are clean but unadorned.
Wants: To prepare the Sultan's meals perfectly and avoid his displeasure.
Flaw: Her fear of the Sultan's wrath and her inability to explain the magical events she witnesses.
Experiences two terrifying magical encounters that leave her distraught and fearful for her position, but she continues her duties.
Diligent, easily flustered, fearful, and honest (though her honesty is not believed).
The Young Lady from the Wall
Of admirable beauty and advantageous stature, suggesting a graceful and striking presence. Her movements are ethereal and swift.
Attire: An exquisite gown of Egyptian-style floral satin fabric, suggesting vibrant colors and intricate patterns. She is adorned with large pearl earrings, a pearl necklace, and gold bracelets set with rubies, indicating wealth and magical significance.
Wants: To communicate with and perhaps control the magical fish, enforcing some unknown magical duty or pact.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but her appearance is tied to the fish being cooked, suggesting a specific magical trigger.
A static character who serves as a magical catalyst, revealing the enchanted nature of the fish.
Mysterious, powerful, authoritative, and enigmatic.
The Four Fish
Four fish, each of a different, distinct color (not specified, but implied to be vibrant and unusual). They are of a size suitable for serving to a sultan.
Wants: To fulfill their magical 'duty' or pact, as indicated by their response to the lady.
Flaw: They are vulnerable to being caught and cooked, which triggers their magical interaction.
They are caught, cooked, speak cryptically, and are then ruined, serving as a catalyst for the magical events.
Mysterious, obedient to a higher magical power, and capable of cryptic speech.
Locations
Sultan's Palace Kitchen
A bustling, functional kitchen within an Arabian palace, likely featuring stone or tiled floors, possibly arched doorways, and a large hearth or brazier for cooking. The walls are solid, but one section has a magical ability to open and close.
Mood: Initially ordinary and busy, then becomes intensely magical and frightening due to the supernatural events.
The magical fish are cooked, and a mysterious lady emerges from the wall to interact with them, causing chaos and fear.
The Enchanted Pond
A mysterious freshwater pond, likely surrounded by some form of vegetation, where uniquely colored fish reside. The pond is deep enough for fishing and is visited at night.
Mood: Mysterious, quiet, and potentially magical, given the nature of the fish caught there.
The fisherman catches the magical, multi-colored fish that are central to the story's mystery.