XVII NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Dina looked at her sister. 'Tell me more!' she said. The sun will come soon. Please tell the story of The Unkind King. I want to hear it all.
Shera began the story again. The Unkind King felt very bad. Doctor Douban gave him a special book. The book had magic inside. The King opened the book to read. He read the first page.
The special magic went into the King. He felt very tired. He felt very sick. The book seemed to watch him. The bad magic made him weak. He could not move well.
Then a voice came from the book. It was Doctor Douban's voice. "You were not kind," the voice said. "You made me go away. Now you feel bad too. This is because you were not fair. It is good to be kind. It is good to be fair. Bad acts bring bad things. This is a big lesson."
The Unkind King felt more sick. He could not move his body. He closed his eyes. He became very, very still. He did not wake up. The magic made him sleep always.
The King was now very still. The magic in the book went away. Doctor Douban's voice was gone. The special power was finished. The book was just a book now. No more magic lived inside it.
Shera finished this story. She gave a little sigh. "This was the end of The Unkind King. Doctor Douban's magic was gone. It is good to be fair. It is good to be kind."
"It is almost morning," Shera said. "It is too late for a story now. We must wait for next night. The sun will be up soon."
Sultan Shahryar wanted more stories. He liked the stories very much. He was very eager now. It was time for bed. "Tell me more stories next day," he said. "Tell me a new story next night. I want to hear it all. You tell good stories. I like your tales."
Original Story
XVII NUIT.
Quelque curiosité qu'eût Dinarzade d'entendre le reste de l'histoire du roi grec, elle ne se réveilla pas cette nuit de si bonne heure qu'à l'ordinaire; il était même presque jour lorsqu'elle dit à la sultane: «Ma chère soeur, je vous prie de continuer la merveilleuse histoire du roi grec; mais hâtez-vous, de grâce, car le jour paraîtra bientôt.»
Scheherazade reprit aussitôt cette histoire à l'endroit où elle l'avait laissée le jour précédent: Sire, dit-elle, quand le médecin Douban, ou, pour mieux dire, sa tête, vit que le poison faisait son effet, et que le roi n'avait plus que quelques moments à vivre: «Tyran, s'écria-t-elle, voilà de quelle manière sont traités les princes qui, abusant de leur autorité, font périr les innocents. Dieu punit tôt ou tard leurs injustices et leurs cruautés.» La tête eut à peine achevé ces paroles, que le roi tomba mort, et qu'elle perdit elle-même aussi le peu de vie qui lui restait.
Sire, poursuivit Scheherazade, telle fut la fin du roi grec et du médecin Douban. Il faut présentement revenir à l'histoire du pêcheur et du génie; mais ce n'est pas la peine de commencer, car il est jour. Le sultan, de qui toutes les heures étaient réglées, ne pouvant l'écouter plus longtemps, se leva, et comme il voulait absolument entendre la suite de l'histoire du génie et du pêcheur, il avertit la sultane de se préparer à la lui raconter la nuit suivante.
Story DNA
Moral
Those who abuse their power and harm the innocent will eventually face divine punishment.
Plot Summary
Dinarzade prompts Scheherazade to continue the story of the Greek King. Scheherazade describes the final moments where the poisoned head of the physician Douban, having enacted its revenge, delivers a powerful speech condemning the tyrannical king for his injustice. The king dies from the poison, and immediately after, Douban's head also expires. Scheherazade concludes this embedded tale, and the Sultan, due to the late hour, postpones the next story until the following night.
Themes
Emotional Arc
tyranny to justice
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This excerpt is a segment from 'One Thousand and One Nights' (or 'Arabian Nights'), a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. The framing story involves Scheherazade telling stories to Sultan Shahryar to delay her execution.
Plot Beats (9)
- Dinarzade wakes up late, requesting Scheherazade to continue the story of the Greek King.
- Scheherazade resumes the tale, describing the final moments of the Greek King and the physician Douban's head.
- Douban's head observes the poison taking effect on the king.
- The head delivers a final, accusatory speech to the king, condemning his tyranny and predicting divine punishment.
- The Greek King dies from the poison.
- Immediately after the king's death, Douban's head also loses its remaining life.
- Scheherazade concludes the story of the Greek King and Douban.
- Scheherazade states it is too late to begin the story of the fisherman and the genie.
- The Sultan, whose schedule is strict, rises and instructs Scheherazade to tell the next story the following night.
Characters
Dinarzade
Slender build, graceful posture, typical of a young woman of noble birth in an Arabian court. Her movements are likely light and quiet, reflecting her role as a companion and confidante.
Attire: Flowing silk robes (thobe or similar) in soft, rich colors like sapphire blue or emerald green, possibly embroidered with gold thread. She would wear delicate gold jewelry, such as bracelets and earrings, and perhaps a light veil or headscarf draped elegantly.
Wants: To hear the continuation of Scheherazade's stories, which are essential for her sister's survival and her own entertainment.
Flaw: Her eagerness for stories can make her slightly impatient, though always respectful.
Her role is consistent throughout the nights; she does not undergo a significant personal arc within this specific excerpt but is a constant enabler of the larger narrative.
Curious, attentive, loyal, and somewhat impatient when eager to hear stories. She is a devoted sister and a keen listener.
Scheherazade
Elegant and composed, with a presence that commands attention through her intellect rather than physical dominance. She is likely of average height and slender, reflecting the demands of her nightly ordeal.
Attire: Rich, yet understated, silk robes (like a thobe or similar Arabian court dress) in deep, jewel tones such as ruby red or emerald green, perhaps with subtle gold embroidery. Her attire would be comfortable enough for long hours of sitting but elegant enough for the sultan's presence.
Wants: To survive by captivating the Sultan with her stories, thereby preventing her own execution and ultimately saving the lives of other women.
Flaw: Her physical endurance is tested by the nightly storytelling, but her mental strength usually prevails.
In this excerpt, she continues her established arc of survival through storytelling, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to her strategy.
Intelligent, resourceful, courageous, eloquent, and composed under immense pressure. She is a master storyteller and strategist.
Sultan Shahryar
A powerful and imposing figure, likely with a strong build, reflecting his authority and past martial life. His presence would be commanding, even when at rest.
Attire: Luxurious and regal attire, such as a flowing silk thobe or kaftan in deep, rich colors like royal purple or crimson, possibly adorned with gold embroidery and precious jewels. He would wear a jeweled turban or a keffiyeh, signifying his status.
Wants: To satisfy his curiosity and hear the conclusion of Scheherazade's stories, which have diverted him from his murderous path.
Flaw: His insatiable curiosity and his susceptibility to the power of storytelling.
In this excerpt, he continues his arc of being slowly reformed by Scheherazade's tales, postponing her execution out of curiosity.
Initially cruel and vengeful, but now captivated and intrigued by Scheherazade's stories. He is disciplined (his hours are regulated) and ultimately curious.
King Grec
Implied to be a powerful ruler, likely with a robust build, reflecting his tyrannical nature and position of authority. His appearance would suggest a man accustomed to luxury and command.
Attire: Rich, royal garments, possibly a chiton or himation made of fine linen or wool, dyed in vibrant colors like purple or crimson, indicative of his status as a Greek king. He would wear a golden crown or laurel wreath.
Wants: To maintain his absolute power and punish those he perceives as threats, even if innocent.
Flaw: His abuse of authority, his cruelty, and his inability to recognize his own wrongdoing, leading to his downfall.
His arc concludes in this excerpt with his death, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of tyranny.
Tyrannical, unjust, cruel, and ultimately foolish for trusting the physician he wronged.
Médecin Douban (Head)
The disembodied head of a wise and vengeful physician. Though only a head, it retains a vivid, expressive quality, conveying its final moments of triumph and justice. The skin might be pale from death, but the eyes would still hold a spark.
Attire: N/A (disembodied head), but the head might rest on a platter or be presented in a way that suggests its former dignity.
Wants: To exact revenge on the tyrannical King Grec for his unjust execution.
Flaw: His death, which was unjustly brought about by the king.
His arc concludes with the successful execution of his revenge, bringing about the death of the king and fulfilling his purpose.
Wise, vengeful, just, and determined. Even in death, he seeks retribution for injustice.
Locations
Sultan's Bedchamber
A lavishly appointed chamber within an Arabian palace, likely adorned with rich textiles, intricate geometric patterns, and soft lighting from oil lamps. The air is still and quiet, conducive to storytelling in the pre-dawn hours.
Mood: Intimate, expectant, slightly tense due to the ongoing narrative and the sultan's judgment.
Scheherazade concludes a story and prepares to start another, while Dinarzade wakes to listen, marking the transition between nights of storytelling.