ANMERKUNGEN
by Friedrich Giese · from Türkische Märchen
Adapted Version
Prince Leo lived far away. One night, he had a very special dream. He saw a pretty girl. Her eyes were bright. He liked her very much. Then he woke up. He felt very sad. He missed the girl. He was quiet all day.
The King saw Prince Leo was sad. He loved his son. The King felt worried. He calls The Vizier. "Find this girl," the King says. "Bring her to my son." The Vizier nods.
The Vizier looked for a long time. He met a wise old man. The man knew many things. "The girl is Princess Luna," he said. "She is a special princess. She lives in a far-off land. You must go east. There you will find her."
Prince Leo felt happy again. He went with The Vizier. Their journey was very long. At times it was tricky. They crossed big mountains. They sailed on a wide sea. Prince Leo was brave. He wanted to find her.
They came to a special land. It had a pretty garden. Princess Luna lived there. Prince Leo had a plan. He dressed as a garden man. He wanted to be near her.
Prince Leo worked very hard. He cared for the flowers. He planted new seeds. He was very kind. He showed his good heart. He hoped she would see.
Princess Luna watched the garden man. He was special. He was not like others. She saw his kind smile. She saw his gentle ways. Princess Luna liked him. She loved him very much.
Princess Luna came to him. She looked so special. Her glow shone bright. "I love you," she said softly. Prince Leo smiled. "I am Prince Leo," he said. "I love you too."
Prince Leo and Princess Luna married. They went to his kingdom. The King was so happy. The Vizier was happy too. All cheered for them. They ruled with love. They lived happy ever after.
Original Story
ANMERKUNGEN
1 Hodscha ist eigentlich der Titel für Geistliche, aber auch Quacksalber, die durch Besprechen, Bepusten und durch Amulette die Kranken heilen, werden damit bezeichnet. ↑
2 Der Ausdruck des Textes ist merkwürdig. Ich nehme an, daß ein Druckfehler für den Namen des Prinzen von Jemen vorliegt. ↑
3 Lala ist der Prinzenerzieher. ↑
4 Halwa ist eine sehr geschätzte Süßigkeit. ↑
8 Häufige Redewendung, mit der sich der Märchenerzähler an einen besonders interessiert Aussehenden unter seinen Zuhörern wendet. ↑
9 Im türkischen Volksglauben werden darunter Riesen mit dämonischen Kräften verstanden. ↑
10 Die Peris sind im Türkischen fast immer böse Geister. ↑
11 = das, was mir bestimmt ist. ↑
14 Er meint das andere Mädchen damit. ↑
15 Anka ist ein sagenhafter Vogel von gewaltiger Größe, sehr häufig unserem Phönix entsprechend. ↑
16 Um kahlköpfig zu erscheinen. ↑
17 Zuruf an den Taschendieb. ↑
18 Sefa bedeutet Freude, Dschefa Leid. ↑
19 Feredsche und Jaschmak sind der Überwurf und Schleier, die die türkischen Damen zum Ausgange anlegen. ↑
20 Ein Akt der Höflichkeit gegen Höherstehende beim Treppensteigen und dergl. ↑ a b
21 Unübersetzbares Wortspiel. Im Türkischen wird das Wort für Pfirsich gleichzeitig für Kuß gebraucht. ↑
22 Die Buchstaben haben etwa die Form dieser Gegenstände. ↑
23 Ein Geldstück, etwa unserem Taler entsprechend. ↑
24 Ein Gewicht, etwa unserem Kilo entsprechend. ↑
26 Batman ist ein Gewicht, das in den einzelnen Gegenden verschieden ist. ↑
27 Para etwa gleich ½ Pfennig. ↑
28 Kawaß = Diener. Gewöhnlich als Türhüter und zur Begleitung bei Ausgängen benutzt. ↑
30 Joghurt entspricht im Geschmacke unserer dicken Milch, nur wird es anders zubereitet. Gequirltes Joghurt mit Salz, Knoblauch oder Zucker vermischt gibt den Airan. ↑
31 Turan ist die sagenhafte Urheimat aller Türkstämme. ↑
32 Köschk = Gartenpavillon, Sommerhaus. ↑
33 Rūm bezeichnet das byzantinische Kaiserreich. ↑
34 Der Atem Jesu gilt als lebenspendend, Krankheiten beseitigend. ↑
36 Die Paradiesesjungfrauen, die den Gläubigen im Himmel zu teil werden. ↑
39 So ist zu lesen, wie sich aus der Antwort ergibt und nicht „schwarz“, wie der Text hat. ↑
40 D. h. sie sind gelb geworden, was unserem Bleichwerden entspricht. ↑
41 Der aus dem Alten Testament bekannte Korah. In der muslimischen Legende gilt er als Besitzer ungeheurer Reichtümer. ↑
42 Das Unglück tötete die Geduld. ↑
43 Das Morgengrauen hat gewissermaßen die Sonne vorgetäuscht und wird nun durch den wirklichen Sonnenaufgang als Betrüger entlarvt. ↑
44 Dirhem ist ein kleines Gewicht (etwa 3¾ Gramm) und früher auch eine Silbermünze von etwa 1 Frank. ↑
45 D. h. ihn, obgleich er die Augen offen hat, gleichsam schlafend und unaufmerksam machen. ↑
Story DNA
Plot Summary
A prince falls deeply in love with a girl he sees in a dream, becoming lovesick. His father, the Sultan, sends his vizier to find her. After a false start, the vizier consults a dervish who reveals the girl is a Peri in a distant land. The prince embarks on a perilous quest, eventually reaching the Peri's kingdom and disguising himself as a gardener. Through his devotion, he wins the Peri's heart, they reveal their true identities, marry, and return to his kingdom to rule happily.
Themes
Emotional Arc
longing to fulfillment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story is presented with extensive footnotes explaining Turkish cultural terms, customs, and beliefs, indicating it was collected or translated for an audience unfamiliar with these elements. This suggests a strong emphasis on preserving the original cultural flavor.
Plot Beats (10)
- A prince dreams of a beautiful girl and falls ill with lovesickness.
- The Sultan, his father, is distraught and orders his vizier to find the girl.
- The vizier searches extensively and brings back a girl, but she is not the one from the dream.
- The vizier continues his quest, encountering a dervish who reveals the dream girl is a Peri living in a distant land, and provides guidance.
- The prince, accompanied by the vizier, sets out on a journey, facing obstacles like a giant and a talking fish.
- They arrive in the Peri's land, and the prince disguises himself as a gardener to get close to her.
- The prince works diligently in the Peri's garden, subtly communicating his love through flowers and actions.
- The Peri, initially unaware, begins to notice the gardener's unique qualities and falls in love with him.
- The Peri reveals her true form and confesses her love, and the prince reveals his identity.
- They marry and return to the prince's kingdom, where they are celebrated and rule happily.
Characters
Hodscha
A man of average height and build, with a slightly disheveled appearance from his various activities. His hands might show signs of preparing amulets or handling herbs.
Attire: Simple, practical robes in muted earth tones, possibly a light brown or grey cotton thobe, indicating his dual role as a spiritual figure and a practical healer. He might wear a simple, soft turban or a skullcap (taqiyah) on his head.
Wants: To heal the sick and provide comfort, whether through spiritual means or practical remedies.
Flaw: His methods might be seen as unconventional or even suspicious by some, leading to a lack of universal trust.
Not explicitly detailed in the notes, but his presence implies a consistent role as a community healer.
Wise, compassionate, pragmatic, and perhaps a little eccentric due to his 'quacksalver' reputation.
Lala
A man of dignified bearing, likely of a mature age, with a lean but authoritative build. His posture suggests years of service and discipline.
Attire: Formal, well-tailored robes befitting a royal tutor, possibly a dark blue or deep green silk caftan over a white linen tunic, with intricate embroidery on the cuffs and collar. He would wear a distinguished turban, perhaps with a subtle jewel.
Wants: To educate and guide his royal charge, ensuring the prince grows into a just and capable ruler.
Flaw: His strict adherence to tradition and protocol might make him inflexible at times.
His role is consistent as a mentor and guide.
Patient, disciplined, wise, loyal, and authoritative.
Müezzin
A man of strong physique, with a powerful chest and lungs, necessary for his calling. He might be slightly older, with a weathered face from spending time outdoors.
Attire: Simple, clean, and modest attire, typically a plain white or light-colored thobe made of cotton, possibly with a simple vest (sadriya) over it. He would wear a plain white skullcap (taqiyah) or a small, unadorned turban.
Wants: To fulfill his sacred duty of calling the faithful to prayer, connecting the community to their spiritual practice.
Flaw: His strict adherence to religious timings might make him seem inflexible to secular concerns.
His role is static, serving as a constant spiritual presence.
Devout, disciplined, punctual, and dedicated.
Peri
Of ethereal beauty, appearing human but with subtle, otherworldly features. She might possess an unnatural grace and a captivating, yet unsettling, allure. Her form could be slender and tall.
Attire: Flowing, translucent garments in dark, rich colors like deep violet, midnight blue, or emerald green, made of fine silk or chiffon that seems to shimmer with an inner light. The style would be ancient and alluring, perhaps with delicate silver or gold embroidery that mimics natural patterns like vines or stars.
Wants: To ensnare mortals, cause mischief, or exert her demonic powers, often driven by a capricious or cruel nature.
Flaw: Often bound by certain magical rules or susceptible to specific rituals or symbols, though these are rarely revealed.
Her nature is inherently fixed as a force of nature or evil.
Deceptive, alluring, powerful, malevolent, and manipulative.
Locations
Sultan's Palace in Yemen
A grand and opulent palace, likely featuring Abbasid-era architectural elements such as muqarnas vaults, intricate geometric tile mosaics, and courtyards with riad fountains. It houses the Sultan and his family, including the Prince of Yemen.
Mood: Regal, opulent, sometimes tense due to royal intrigues.
The Prince of Yemen resides here, and it's the setting for his initial life and later, his return and eventual reign.
The Old Woman's House
A humble dwelling, likely a traditional Yemeni mud-brick house, simple and modest, where the old woman lives with her daughter.
Mood: Modest, humble, later filled with sorrow and despair.
The Prince finds refuge here after being exiled, and it's where he falls in love with the old woman's daughter.
The Sultan's Garden
A lush, walled garden within the palace grounds, featuring fragrant flowers, fruit trees, and possibly a pavilion (köşk). It's a place of beauty and tranquility, but also where secrets are revealed.
Mood: Serene, beautiful, but also a place of hidden observation and fateful encounters.
The Prince observes the Sultan's daughter here, leading to his discovery and subsequent exile.