XXVIII NUIT
by Unknown · from Les mille et une nuits - Tome premier
Adapted Version
Listen, little one. This is an old story. It is from a far land.
Dina wakes up. She sees her sister, Shera. "My dear sister," Dina says. "Tell a story now. The sun is not here yet." Shera smiles. She has a new story to tell.
Shera begins her story. It is about a happy man. He is The Porter. He lives in the big city of Baghdad. The Porter carries big baskets for people. One morning, he waits for work. A Strange Lady comes. She wears a long, dark veil. "Take your basket," she says. "Follow me." The Porter feels very happy. He puts his big basket on his head. He follows the mysterious lady.
The Strange Lady stops. She goes to The Kind Man. She gives him some money. He brings a big jug. It holds a special, dark drink. The Porter carefully puts the heavy jug inside. He puts it in his big basket.
Next, they stop at a shop. It has many colorful fruits and pretty flowers. She picks many bright fruits. She picks pretty flowers too. The Porter puts them in his basket. The big basket starts to get full.
Then, she buys good, fresh meat. It comes from a butcher. The Porter puts the meat in. His basket gets heavier and heavier.
They stop at more shops! She buys tasty nuts. She buys sweet treats. The basket is now very, very full. It holds so much!
The Porter feels the very heavy basket. He laughs and makes a little joke. "I need a horse for this!" he says. The Strange Lady smiles.
One last stop! She buys good-smelling things. She buys special, fragrant spices. Now, the basket is all full. Nothing more can fit inside!
They walk and walk. They come to a very big, beautiful house. It has a special door. It is made of shiny white bone. It looks very grand.
The Strange Lady knocks on the door. Knock, knock! Shera stops her story. The sun is coming up over the city!
Dina wants to know more. The Sultan wants to know more too! He says, "Tell me the rest tomorrow, Shera!"
Original Story
XXVIII NUIT.
Dinarzade, suivant sa coutume, n'oublia pas d'appeler la sultane lorsqu'il en fut temps: Ma chère soeur, lui dit-elle, si vous ne dormez pas, je vous supplie, en attendant le jour, de me raconter un de ces beaux contes que vous savez. Scheherazade, sans lui répondre, commença d'abord, et adressant la parole au sultan:
HISTOIRE DE TROIS CALENDERS, FILS DE ROIS, ET DE CINQ DAMES DE BAGDAD. Sire, dit-elle, en adressant la parole au sultan, sous le règne du calife[15] Haroun Alraschid, il y avait à Bagdad, où il faisait sa résidence, un porteur qui, malgré sa profession basse et pénible, ne laissait pas d'être homme d'esprit et de bonne humeur. Un matin qu'il était, à son ordinaire, avec un grand panier à jour près de lui, dans une place où il attendait que quelqu'un eût besoin de son ministère, une jeune dame de belle taille, couverte d'un grand voile de mousseline, l'aborda, et lui dit d'un air gracieux: «Écoutez, porteur, prenez votre panier, et suivez-moi.» Le porteur, enchanté de ce peu de paroles prononcées si agréablement, prit aussitôt son panier, le mit sur sa tête, et suivit la dame en disant: «Ô jour heureux! Ô jour de bonne rencontre!»
D'abord la dame s'arrêta devant une porte formée, et frappa. Un chrétien, vénérable par une longue barbe blanche, ouvrit, et elle lui mit de l'argent dans la main, sans lui dire un seul mot. Mais le chrétien, qui savait ce qu'elle demandait, rentra, et peu de temps après apporta une grosse cruche d'un vin excellent: «Prenez cette cruche, dit la dame au porteur, et la mettez dans votre panier.» Cela étant fait, elle lui commanda de la suivre, puis elle continua de marcher, et le porteur continua de dire: «Ô jour de félicité! ô jour d'agréable surprise et de joie!»
La dame s'arrêta à la boutique d'un vendeur de fruits et de fleurs, où elle choisit plusieurs sortes de pommes, des abricots, des pêches, des coings, des limons, des citrons, des oranges, du myrte, du basilic, des lis, du jasmin, et de quelques autres sortes de fleurs et de plantes de bonne odeur. Elle dit au porteur de mettre tout cela dans son panier, et de la suivre. En passant devant l'étalage d'un boucher, elle se fit peser vingt-cinq livres de la plus belle viande qu'il eût; ce que le porteur mit encore dans son panier, par son ordre. À une autre boutique, elle prit des câpres, de l'estragon, de petits concombres, de la percepierre et autres herbes, le tout confit dans le vinaigre; à une autre, des pistaches, des noix, des noisettes, des pignons, des amandes, et d'autres fruits semblables; à une autre encore, elle acheta toutes sortes de pâtes d'amande. Le porteur, en mettant toutes ces choses dans son panier, remarquant qu'il se remplissait, dit à la dame: «Ma bonne dame, il fallait m'avertir que vous feriez tant de provisions: j'aurais pris un cheval, ou plutôt un chameau pour les porter. J'en aurai beaucoup plus que ma charge pour peu que vous en achetiez d'autres.» La dame rit de cette plaisanterie, et ordonna de nouveau au porteur de la suivre.
Elle entra chez un droguiste, où elle se fournit de toutes sortes d'eaux de senteur, de clous de girofle, de muscade, de poivre, de gingembre, d'un gros morceau d'ambre gris, et de plusieurs autres épiceries des Indes; ce qui acheva de remplir le panier du porteur, auquel elle dit encore de la suivre. Alors ils marchèrent tous deux jusqu'à ce qu'ils arrivèrent à un hôtel magnifique dont la façade était ornée de belles colonnes, et qui avait une porte d'ivoire. Ils s'y arrêtèrent, et la dame frappa un petit coup…
En cet endroit, Scheherazade aperçut qu'il était jour, et cessa de parler. Franchement, ma soeur, dit Dinarzade, voilà un commencement qui donne beaucoup de curiosité: je crois que le sultan ne voudra pas se priver du plaisir d'entendre la suite. Effectivement, Schahriar, loin d'ordonner la mort de la sultane, attendit impatiemment la nuit suivante, pour apprendre ce qui se passerait dans l'hôtel dont elle avait parlé.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Dinarzade prompts Scheherazade to tell a new story. Scheherazade begins the tale of a cheerful porter in Baghdad who is hired by a mysterious, veiled lady. She leads him on an extensive shopping trip, acquiring wine, a vast array of fruits, flowers, meat, pickled goods, nuts, almond pastes, and exotic spices, filling his basket to overflowing. The porter, amused by the growing load, jokes about needing a larger animal. Finally, they arrive at a magnificent hotel with an ivory door, where the lady knocks, leaving the porter's fate and the story's continuation to the next night, much to the Sultan's eager anticipation.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to heightened curiosity
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story is set during the reign of Caliph Haroun Alraschid (786-809 AD), a golden age for Baghdad, often romanticized in literature.
Plot Beats (12)
- Dinarzade asks Scheherazade for a story to pass the time until dawn.
- Scheherazade begins the 'Story of Three Calenders, Sons of Kings, and Five Ladies of Baghdad'.
- A good-humored porter in Baghdad is approached by a beautiful, veiled lady who asks him to follow her with his basket.
- The lady first leads him to a Christian, from whom she obtains a large jug of excellent wine, which the porter adds to his basket.
- Next, she stops at a fruit and flower seller, where she selects many varieties of produce and blooms for the porter to carry.
- She then buys twenty-five pounds of prime meat from a butcher, further filling the porter's basket.
- Subsequent stops include a shop for pickled goods, another for nuts and dried fruits, and one for almond pastes.
- The porter, noticing the increasing weight, jokingly suggests he should have brought a horse or camel.
- The lady laughs and continues, leading him to a druggist where she buys fragrant waters, spices, and ambergris, completely filling his basket.
- They walk together until they reach a magnificent hotel with an ivory door.
- The lady knocks on the door, and Scheherazade stops her story as dawn arrives.
- Dinarzade expresses her curiosity, and Sultan Schahriar, intrigued, postpones Scheherazade's execution to hear the rest of the tale.
Characters
Scheherazade
Slender and graceful, with features considered beautiful in the Arabian tradition. Her exact height and build are not specified but implied to be elegant.
Attire: Richly adorned with silks and fine fabrics, possibly a flowing caftan or abaya, with intricate embroidery and perhaps subtle jewelry. Her attire would be modest yet luxurious, befitting a sultana.
Wants: To survive by entertaining the Sultan with stories, thereby saving her own life and potentially the lives of other women.
Flaw: Her life is constantly at risk, dependent on the Sultan's whim.
She begins as a woman facing certain death and gradually transforms into a beloved and indispensable figure to the Sultan, ultimately changing his cruel nature.
Intelligent, resourceful, courageous, captivating, strategic.
Dinarzade
Likely shares some familial resemblance with Scheherazade, perhaps slightly younger and less imposing in stature, but still graceful.
Attire: Elegant but less elaborate than Scheherazade's, perhaps a lighter colored silk dress or a simpler caftan, reflecting her role as a sister rather than the primary storyteller.
Wants: To encourage Scheherazade to continue her stories, thereby aiding in her sister's survival and enjoying the tales herself.
Flaw: Her dependence on Scheherazade for survival and entertainment.
Remains a constant, supportive presence, her role primarily to facilitate Scheherazade's narrative.
Curious, supportive, gentle, loyal.
Sultan Schahriar
A powerful and imposing figure, likely with a strong build befitting a ruler. His features would convey authority and a certain sternness.
Attire: Luxurious royal attire, such as a richly embroidered silk thobe or caftan, possibly with a jeweled turban. His clothing would be of the finest fabrics and colors, reflecting his immense wealth and power.
Wants: Initially driven by a desire for vengeance against perceived female infidelity, later by a desire for entertainment and a growing affection for Scheherazade.
Flaw: His initial rage and distrust of women; his susceptibility to a good story.
Transforms from a tyrannical and vengeful ruler into a more just and compassionate one, softened by Scheherazade's stories.
Initially cruel, vengeful, impatient, but becomes increasingly curious and captivated.
The Porter
Strong and sturdy build, accustomed to physical labor, likely of average height for a man in Bagdad. His features would show the effects of working outdoors.
Attire: Practical, simple working clothes: a loose-fitting tunic (qamis) and trousers (sirwal) made of sturdy linen or cotton, likely in earthy tones, perhaps a simple head covering (kufiya) to protect from the sun. His clothes would be worn but clean.
Wants: To earn a living, to find joy in his daily work, and to experience new things.
Flaw: Can be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of goods he has to carry.
Begins his day expecting routine work but is drawn into an extraordinary adventure, experiencing unexpected luxury and mystery.
Good-humored, witty, observant, hardworking, easily delighted.
The Young Lady
Of beautiful stature and graceful build, her features are mostly concealed by her veil, but her elegance is evident.
Attire: A large, flowing muslin veil (niqab or burqa-like) that completely covers her, suggesting modesty and perhaps a desire for anonymity, over elegant, possibly richly colored, but unseen, clothing. Her outer garment would be a dark, flowing abaya.
Wants: To acquire provisions for a gathering or feast at her magnificent hotel.
Flaw: Her mysterious nature makes her intentions unclear.
Her role is to initiate the porter's journey and lead him to the mysterious hotel, setting the stage for the next part of the story.
Gracious, mysterious, decisive, discerning (in her purchases), somewhat playful (when she laughs at the porter).
The Christian
Venerable, with a long white beard, suggesting wisdom and age. His build would be typical of an older man, perhaps slightly stooped.
Attire: Simple, modest clothing, perhaps a tunic and cloak in muted colors, typical of a Christian merchant or elder in Bagdad, reflecting his profession and religious identity.
Wants: To conduct his business and provide good wine to his customers.
Flaw: Not applicable, as his role is very brief.
A static character, serving a functional role in the narrative.
Quiet, knowing, efficient, respectful.
Locations
Baghdad Marketplace
A bustling public square in Baghdad, filled with various merchant stalls. The ground is likely packed earth or simple paving. Sunlight illuminates the open space.
Mood: Lively, busy, full of daily commerce and chance encounters.
The porteur is hired by a mysterious lady and begins collecting provisions.
Christian's House Entrance
A simple, unassuming doorway in Baghdad. The door is 'formed' (likely sturdy and well-crafted), suggesting a private residence. A venerable Christian man with a long white beard opens it.
Mood: Quiet, discreet, a place of specific transactions.
The lady procures a large jug of wine without speaking.
Magnificent Hotel Entrance
A grand and opulent hotel in Baghdad. Its facade is adorned with beautiful columns, and it features an impressive ivory door. It stands out as a place of luxury and importance.
Mood: Luxurious, mysterious, anticipation.
The lady and the porteur arrive at the final destination, a grand hotel.