XLI NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Dina woke up. "Tell me more, please!" she said.
Sheherazade smiled. "I will tell a calender story," she began.
The calender had a group of friends. They carried many gifts for the king. They were on a long trip. One day, scary men came to them. The men looked mean.
The friends said, "We know the king!"
The scary men laughed. "We do not care!" they said.
Then the scary men chased them. The friends ran away fast.
The calender ran very quickly. He hid behind a big tree. He felt very scared. His heart beat fast.
His friends were caught. He had to leave them. He rode his horse very fast to get away.
His horse ran and ran. It got very tired. It lay down to rest on the soft grass.
He got off the horse. He looked around carefully. No one was following. The bad men were busy with the gifts. They did not see him.
He was safe for now. He felt a little better.
Sheherazade stopped talking. The sun came up. The room was bright.
Dina said, "Oh no! I want to hear more!"
Sheherazade said kindly, "You should have asked earlier!"
Dina said, "I will ask sooner tomorrow! I promise."
The king got up. He did not say a word. He went to work.
Original Story
XLI NUIT.
Il était presque jour lorsque Dinarzade se réveilla le lendemain. Ma chère soeur, s'écria-t-elle, si vous ne dormez pas, je vous supplie de continuer l'histoire du second calender. Scheherazade la reprit de cette manière:
«Madame, poursuivit le calender, en parlant toujours à Zobéide, comme nous avions dix chevaux chargés de notre bagage et des présents que je devais faire au sultan des Indes, de la part du roi mon père, et que nous étions peu de monde, vous jugez bien que ces voleurs ne manquèrent pas de venir à nous hardiment. N'étant pas en état de repousser la force par la force, nous leur dîmes que nous étions des ambassadeurs du sultan des Indes et que nous espérions qu'ils ne feraient rien contre le respect qu'ils lui devaient. Nous crûmes sauver par-là notre équipage et nos vies; mais les voleurs nous répondirent insolemment: «Pourquoi voulez- vous que nous respections le sultan votre maître? nous ne sommes pas ses sujets et nous ne sommes pas même sur ses terres.» En achevant ces paroles, ils nous enveloppèrent et nous attaquèrent. Je me défendis le plus longtemps qu'il me fut possible; mais me sentant blessé et voyant que l'ambassadeur, ses gens et les miens avaient tous été jetés par terre, je profitai du reste des forces de mon cheval, qui avait aussi été fort blessé, et je m'éloignai d'eux. Je le poussai tant qu'il put me porter; mais venant tout à coup à manquer sous moi, il tomba raide mort de lassitude et du sang qu'il avait perdu. Je me débarrassai de lui assez vite, et remarquant que personne ne me poursuivait, je jugeai que les voleurs n'avaient pas voulu s'écarter du butin qu'ils avaient fait.»
En cet endroit, Scheherazade, s'apercevant qu'il était jour, fut obligée de s'arrêter. Ah! ma soeur, dit Dinarzade, je suis bien fâchée que vous ne puissiez pas continuer cette histoire. - Si vous n'aviez pas été paresseuse aujourd'hui, répondit la sultane, j'en aurais dit davantage. - Hé bien! reprit Dinarzade, je serai demain plus diligente, et j'espère que vous dédommagerez la curiosité du sultan de ce que ma négligence lui a fait perdre. Schahriar se leva sans rien dire, et alla à ses occupations ordinaires.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Dinarzade prompts Scheherazade to continue the tale of the second calender. The calender recounts how his caravan, carrying gifts for the Sultan of India, was ambushed by robbers. Their attempt to deter the attackers by claiming ambassadorial status failed, leading to a violent confrontation. Wounded and seeing his companions defeated, the calender narrowly escaped on his dying horse, which soon collapsed. He realized the robbers had not pursued him, prioritizing their loot. Scheherazade stops as day breaks, leaving Dinarzade and the Sultan eager for the continuation.
Themes
Emotional Arc
calm to peril to escape
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is an excerpt from One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights), a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. The framing story of Scheherazade is central to its structure.
Plot Beats (15)
- Dinarzade awakens and asks Scheherazade to continue the story.
- Scheherazade resumes the tale of the second calender, who is speaking to Zobeide.
- The calender recounts how his small caravan, laden with gifts for the Sultan of India, was approached by robbers.
- They tried to deter the robbers by claiming ambassadorial status and invoking respect for the Sultan.
- The robbers scoffed, stating they were not subjects of the Sultan and were not on his lands.
- The robbers then attacked the caravan.
- The calender defended himself as long as possible but was wounded.
- Seeing his ambassador and all their men defeated, he used his severely wounded horse's remaining strength to flee.
- His horse eventually collapsed and died from exhaustion and blood loss.
- The calender quickly dismounted and realized he was not being pursued, concluding the robbers were focused on their plunder.
- Scheherazade stops her narration as dawn breaks.
- Dinarzade expresses disappointment that the story cannot continue.
- Scheherazade chides Dinarzade for her laziness, implying she could have told more.
- Dinarzade promises to be more diligent the next day, hoping to compensate the Sultan's curiosity.
- Schahriar rises without comment and attends to his duties.
Characters
Dinarzade
Slender build, likely of average height for an Arabian woman of her time. Her features would be delicate, reflecting her royal upbringing.
Attire: Flowing silk robes (thobe or similar) in rich, jewel-toned colors like emerald or sapphire, possibly embroidered with gold thread. She would wear delicate gold jewelry, such as bracelets and necklaces, and perhaps a light, sheer veil draped over her head, though not covering her face.
Wants: To hear the continuation of the captivating stories told by her sister, Scheherazade.
Flaw: Her eagerness sometimes borders on impatience, and she admits to being 'paresseuse' (lazy) on occasion, which can delay the stories.
Her character remains consistent as the eager listener, her primary function being to drive the narrative forward.
Curious, eager, slightly impatient, and affectionate towards her sister. She is a catalyst for the storytelling.
Scheherazade
Elegant and poised, with a graceful stature. Her presence commands attention, reflecting her intelligence and resilience.
Attire: Luxurious, flowing silk robes (like a richly embroidered kaftan or similar Arabian court dress) in deep, regal colors such as sapphire blue or deep crimson, possibly with intricate gold or silver embroidery. She would wear elegant, but not overly ostentatious, gold jewelry.
Wants: To survive by captivating the Sultan with her stories, thereby preventing her own execution and ultimately breaking the Sultan's cruel decree.
Flaw: The constant pressure of needing to tell a new, engaging story every night to save her life. Her physical endurance is tested by the nightly storytelling.
Her arc is one of survival and transformation, as she gradually softens the Sultan's heart through her tales, ultimately saving herself and many other women.
Intelligent, resourceful, resilient, and composed. She is a master storyteller, capable of captivating her audience and controlling the narrative.
The Second Calender
A man of noble bearing, likely with a strong, athletic build from his travels and self-defense. He would show signs of hardship and injury from his recent ordeal.
Attire: Though currently in distress, his original attire would have been that of a wealthy ambassador: fine silk robes (like a richly woven jubbah or similar), possibly with a turban, and sturdy leather boots suitable for travel. After the attack, his clothes would be torn and stained, showing the wear of his escape.
Wants: To fulfill his duty as an ambassador, to survive the attack, and to escape his pursuers.
Flaw: Vulnerable to overwhelming force, as seen when he and his retinue are attacked by robbers.
His story is one of loss and survival, setting him on a new path after his ambassadorial mission is violently interrupted.
Brave, resourceful, resilient, and observant. He is quick-thinking in a crisis and determined to survive.
Sultan Schahriar
A powerful and imposing figure, reflecting his status as a Sultan. He would have a commanding presence.
Attire: Magnificent royal attire: a flowing, richly embroidered silk caftan or thobe in deep, regal colors, possibly with gold or silver thread, and a jeweled turban. He would wear heavy gold jewelry, signifying his immense wealth and power.
Wants: To maintain his daily routine and, implicitly, to be entertained and distracted from his past grievances by Scheherazade's tales.
Flaw: His past trauma and his initial decree of executing his wives, which Scheherazade is trying to overcome.
His arc is one of gradual transformation from a cruel tyrant to a more just and compassionate ruler, influenced by Scheherazade's stories.
Initially cruel and distrustful (implied by his past actions), but also curious and susceptible to Scheherazade's storytelling. He is a man of routine.
Locations
Desert Road / Caravan Route
A desolate, open stretch of land, likely sandy or rocky, suitable for caravan travel, but also prone to ambush. The air is dry and the sun is implied to be rising or already up.
Mood: Dangerous, exposed, tense, desperate.
The Second Calender's caravan is ambushed by thieves, leading to a violent confrontation and his escape.
Secluded Desert Area
A more remote and quiet part of the desert, away from the main road, where the Calender's horse finally collapses. The landscape is still barren but offers a sense of temporary safety from pursuit.
Mood: Exhausted, isolated, relief mixed with despair.
The Second Calender escapes the ambush, but his severely wounded horse dies from exhaustion and blood loss, leaving him alone.