DIE GESCHICHTE VON ALI DSCHENGIZ
by Friedrich Giese · from Türkische Märchen
Adapted Version
Once, there was a clever boy named Ali. The King asked him to learn magic. Ali was very good. He was also very smart. The King sent Ali to learn.
Ali walked on his way. He met a man. The man was The Tricky Magician. The Magician took Ali. They went to a secret place. It was a big cave.
Ali walked in the cave. He saw a kind girl. The girl stayed in the cave. She told Ali about the Magician. "He is not kind," she said. "He gets very angry. You must pretend you do not know. Make mistakes when he teaches you."
Ali did what the girl said. The Magician taught Ali. Ali made many mistakes. The Magician got very angry. He sent Ali away from the cave.
Ali went home. He told his mother a plan. "I will be a horse," he said. "Sell me to The King. Keep my bridle safe." Ali's Mother was kind. She trusted Ali.
Next day, Ali became a ram. Ali's Mother took the ram. She went to the market. She wanted to sell him.
The Tricky Magician saw them. He knew it was Ali. "Give me the ram," he said. "I will give you money." She remembered Ali's words.
Ali became a bird. He flew away very fast. The Magician became a white dove. He flew after Ali.
They flew to The King's garden. The King sat there. Ali became an apple. It fell into The King's lap.
The dove became the Magician. He walked to The King. "That apple is mine," he said.
The King held the apple. He wanted to give it. The apple became small seeds. They fell on the ground.
The Magician became a chicken. He ate the seeds. The seeds became a marten. The marten scared the chicken. The chicken ran away fast. The Magician was gone forever.
The marten became Ali again. "That was the magic game," Ali said. "The Magician was not kind. He wanted to hurt me."
The King was very happy. Ali was very smart. Ali was very brave. The King gave Ali money. He gave Ali a big house.
Ali was very clever and brave. He used his magic to help himself. The King was happy. Ali got many gifts. Ali lived happily ever after.
Original Story
12. DIE GESCHICHTE VON ALI DSCHENGIZ
Die Geschichtenüberlieferer und die Märchenerzähler berichten folgendes. In alten Zeiten hatte eine Frau einen Sohn. Der war sehr schön und hatte in der Welt nicht seinesgleichen. Er war auch sehr geschickt. Diese Frau nahm den Jungen und brachte ihn ins Schloß. Eines Tages langweilte sich der Padischah und sagte: „Kennt einer unter euch das Ali Dschengizspiel?“ Das Kind sagte: „Mein Padischah, wenn Sie erlauben, werde ich es lernen und wiederkommen.“ Der Padischah gab die Erlaubnis und entsandte den Jüngling. Als der Bursche zum Hause des Ali Dschengiz ging, traf er unterwegs einen Derwisch. Der sagte: „Mein Sohn, wohin gehst du?“ Er antwortete: „Ich gehe, um das Ali Dschengizspiel zu lernen.“ Da sagte der Derwisch: „Komm, mein Sohn, ich werde es dich lehren.“ Er ging mit dem Sohn in die Berge. Nach einiger Zeit kamen sie an eine Höhle und traten ein. Nachdem sie noch eine Minute gegangen sind, kommen sie in das Zimmer, wo der Derwisch wohnt. Nachdem sie dort etwas verweilt, langweilt sich der Bursche und geht aus dem Zimmer. Während er umhergeht, kommt er an ein Zimmer dort in der Nähe. Er tritt ein und sieht dort ein Mädchen, schön wie der Mond am vierzehnten, dessen Augen voller Feuer sind. Das saß dort und stickte. Der Bursche sagte: „Bist du ein Geist oder ein Dschinn?“ Das Mädchen sagte: „Ich bin weder ein Geist noch ein Dschinn, ich bin ein Mensch.“ Als er fragte: „Aber wie bist du denn hierher gekommen?“ sagte sie: „Als Kind ging ich in die Schule. Eines Tages nahm mich dieser Derwisch und brachte mich hierher. Wie sehr er sich auch bemühte, mich zu unterrichten, ich sagte nie das nach, was er vorsagte. Schließlich hat er mich in dies Zimmer eingesperrt.“ Dann zeigte sie ihm einen Brunnen, der bis an den Rand mit Menschenleichen angefüllt war. Da verliert der Bursche seine Besinnung. Als er wieder zu sich kommt, ermahnte ihn das Mädchen: „Jüngling, wenn der Derwisch dich richtig unterrichtet, lies du das Gegenteil, mache Fehler und lies nie richtig.“ Der Bursche geht wieder dahin, wo der Derwisch sich befand. Der sagte: „Komm, mein Sohn, ich will dich unterrichten“ und nimmt den Jungen sich vor. Der Bursche kniet nieder und fängt an zu lesen. Wenn der Derwisch Elif sagt, sagt er Stange, wenn er Be sagt, sagt er Wanne.22 Kurz, als er auf diese Art bis zum Schluß zu lesen anfängt, ärgert sich der Derwisch, legt ihn hin und verprügelt ihn nach Herzenslust. Dann läßt er ihn das Ali Dschengizbuch lesen, auch das liest er verkehrt. Der Bursche lernt es vollständig auswendig, aber der Derwisch sagt sich: „Er wird es nie lernen“, verprügelt ihn und jagt ihn auf einen Berg.
Dann geht der Junge zum Hause seiner Mutter und sagt zu ihr: „Mutter, morgen werde ich ein Pferd werden, nimm mich und verkaufe mich dem Padischah, aber hüte dich, meinen Zaum zu geben.“ Am Morgen steht die Mutter auf und sieht, — ihr Sohn ist im Stalle tatsächlich ein Pferd geworden. Dann faßt sie ihn am Halfter, führt ihn zum Padischah, verkauft ihn für 100000 Piaster, nimmt seinen Zaum und geht nach Hause. Am Abend kommt ihr Sohn und sagt ihr: „Mutter, morgen werde ich ein Widder sein. Wieder verkaufe mich wie das erste Mal dem Padischah.“ Am nächsten Morgen ist der Sohn ein Widder geworden. Während sie ihn zum Padischah führt, merkt es der Derwisch. Er sagt: „Weh, dies Schwein von Junge hat mir meine Kunst gestohlen.“ Voll Wut vertritt er der Frau den Weg und sagt: „Mutter, nimm dies Geld und verkaufe mir den Widder.“ Als die Frau ihn auch dem Derwisch geben will, wird der Bursche ein Vogel und fliegt davon. Sofort wird der Derwisch eine Taube und verfolgt ihn, um ihn zu fangen. Die arme Frau bleibt ganz erstaunt stehen. Diese kommen allmählich zum Schloß des Padischahs. Während der Padischah im Gartenhaus sitzt und zuschaut, wird der Vogel ein Apfel und fällt dem Padischah in den Schoß. Die Taube wird wieder ein Derwisch, tritt in das Gartenhaus ein und sagt: „Mein Padischah, das ist mein Apfel.“ Der Padischah sagt verwundert: „Nein, das ist mein Apfel.“ Als schließlich der Padischah ihm den Apfel geben will, wird der Apfel Hirse in seiner Hand und fällt auf den Boden. Der Derwisch wird ein Huhn und während er anfängt die Hirse aufzupicken, wird die Hirse sofort ein Marder, springt auf das Huhn und erwürgt es, schüttelt sich und wird wieder wie früher ein Jüngling. Der Padischah sagt: „Ach, bist du es, mein Sohn?“ Er antwortete: „Ja, mein Padischah, das nennt man das Ali Dschengizspiel. Jener Derwisch war mein Lehrer. Er bemühte sich, mich zu töten, aber ich bin sein Meister geworden und habe ihn getötet.“
Die Sache gefiel dem Padischah sehr, er gab ihm 100000 Piaster und machte ihn zum Pagen und schenkte ihm auch einen großen Palast.
Diese Geschichte ist nun auch aus und damit Schluß!
Story DNA
Moral
With cleverness and determination, one can overcome even the most powerful adversaries.
Plot Summary
A skilled young man is sent by the Padishah to learn the Ali Dschengiz game. He falls under the tutelage of an evil Derwisch, but a trapped girl reveals the Derwisch's murderous intent and advises the young man to feign incompetence. After being beaten and cast out, the young man uses his newly acquired transformation skills to escape the Derwisch, leading to a dramatic chase where both transform into various forms. The young man ultimately triumphs by transforming into a marten and killing the Derwisch, who had become a chicken. He then explains the ordeal to the Padishah, who rewards him handsomely.
Themes
Emotional Arc
danger to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects common motifs in Middle Eastern and Central Asian folklore, including shape-shifting contests and the defeat of an evil sorcerer figure.
Plot Beats (14)
- A beautiful and skilled young man is sent by the Padishah to learn the Ali Dschengiz game.
- He meets a Derwisch who takes him to a cave to teach him.
- The young man discovers a beautiful girl imprisoned by the Derwisch, who reveals the Derwisch's evil nature and advises him to intentionally make mistakes during lessons.
- The young man follows the girl's advice, infuriating the Derwisch, who beats him and eventually banishes him.
- The young man returns home and transforms into a horse, instructing his mother to sell him but keep his bridle.
- The next day, he transforms into a ram, and his mother takes him to sell.
- The Derwisch recognizes the young man's trick and tries to buy the ram from the mother.
- The young man transforms into a bird and flies away, with the Derwisch transforming into a dove to pursue him.
- The chase leads them to the Padishah's garden, where the bird transforms into an apple and falls into the Padishah's lap.
- The Derwisch transforms back and demands the apple from the Padishah.
- As the Padishah is about to hand over the apple, it transforms into millet and scatters on the ground.
- The Derwisch transforms into a chicken to eat the millet, but the millet transforms into a marten, which kills the chicken.
- The marten transforms back into the young man, who explains the Ali Dschengiz game and the Derwisch's evil to the Padishah.
- The Padishah is pleased and rewards the young man with money, a position as page, and a palace.
Characters
Ali Dschengiz (The Boy/Jüngling)
Of average height and slender build, with a youthful and agile physique. His movements are quick and decisive, reflecting his cleverness and ability to transform rapidly.
Attire: Initially, he would wear simple, practical clothing suitable for a young man from a modest background in an Ottoman-era setting, perhaps a loose-fitting tunic (entari) over trousers (şalvar) made of cotton or linen. After becoming a page, he would wear more refined court attire, possibly a silk kaftan over a shirt and trousers, with soft leather slippers.
Wants: To learn the Ali Dschengiz game as commanded by the Padischah, to survive the Derwisch's attempts to kill him, and ultimately to master the magical art.
Flaw: Initially, his naivety and vulnerability to the Derwisch's power. He is also physically weaker than the Derwisch before mastering the magic.
Transforms from a skilled but ordinary young man into a master of powerful magic, defeating his dangerous teacher and earning a high position in the Padischah's court. He learns to use his intelligence and the magical art for survival and triumph.
Clever, quick-witted, resourceful, determined, and observant. He learns quickly and adapts to dangerous situations with remarkable ingenuity.
The Derwisch
An older man, likely gaunt from his isolated life, with a wiry strength that belies his age. His movements are swift and predatory when pursuing his victim.
Attire: Wears the traditional simple, patched robes of a Derwisch, likely made of coarse wool or linen in earthy tones, perhaps a dark brown or grey. He might have a conical felt cap (sikke) or a simple turban. His clothing would appear worn from travel and age.
Wants: To maintain his magical secrets, to kill those who attempt to learn his art without his permission, and to eliminate any perceived threats to his power.
Flaw: His arrogance and underestimation of Ali Dschengiz's intelligence and adaptability. His rage also blinds him.
Remains static in his malevolence, ultimately being outsmarted and killed by his student, Ali Dschengiz.
Cruel, cunning, possessive, easily angered, and manipulative. He is a powerful sorcerer who uses his knowledge for malevolent purposes.
The Girl
Described as 'beautiful as the moon on the fourteenth,' implying a radiant and graceful appearance. She is likely slender and delicate, reflecting her long captivity.
Attire: Simple, modest clothing, likely a plain, long-sleeved dress (entari) made of undyed cotton or linen, possibly worn and faded from her long captivity. She might have a headscarf (başörtüsü) or her hair loose.
Wants: To survive her captivity, to warn others of the Derwisch's danger, and perhaps to find a way to escape.
Flaw: Her physical imprisonment and vulnerability to the Derwisch's power.
Serves as a catalyst for Ali Dschengiz's understanding of the Derwisch's true nature, providing the critical information he needs to survive. Her fate after Ali Dschengiz's escape is not explicitly stated, but her warning is crucial.
Resilient, observant, intelligent, and courageous. Despite her captivity, she retains her spirit and offers crucial advice to Ali Dschengiz.
The Mother
A woman of an age to have a young adult son, likely with a kind and perhaps weary face from life's struggles. Her build would be average for a woman of her time and social standing.
Attire: Wears the practical, modest clothing of a woman from a common background in an Ottoman-era setting: a long, simple dress (entari) or tunic over trousers (şalvar), made of cotton or linen, and a headscarf (başörtüsü).
Wants: To support and protect her son, even when his requests are extraordinary.
Flaw: Her trusting nature makes her vulnerable to the Derwisch's deception, almost leading her to give away her son's magical bridle.
Remains a steadfast and loving figure, providing the necessary support for her son's magical journey, though she is almost tricked by the Derwisch.
Loving, obedient, and trusting. She follows her son's instructions without question, demonstrating her deep bond and faith in him.
The Padischah
A figure of authority and wealth, likely of a dignified and imposing presence. His build would be well-maintained, reflecting his royal status.
Attire: Wears rich, flowing court robes (kaftan) made of fine silk or brocade, possibly embroidered with gold thread, in deep jewel tones like emerald green or sapphire blue. He would have a jeweled turban (sarık) on his head and soft, embroidered slippers.
Wants: To alleviate his boredom, to witness and understand the Ali Dschengiz game, and to reward those who serve him well.
Flaw: His initial ignorance of the magical world and the danger it poses, making him susceptible to the Derwisch's claims.
Witnesses the magical duel and learns about the Ali Dschengiz game, ultimately rewarding the protagonist and confirming his new status.
Curious, powerful, just, and appreciative of skill and cleverness. He is a benevolent ruler who rewards talent.
Locations
The Derwisch's Mountain Cave Dwelling
A hidden chamber deep within a mountain cave, accessible after a short walk from the cave entrance. It serves as the Derwisch's living quarters, likely sparse but functional. Nearby, there is another room where a beautiful girl is imprisoned, and a gruesome well filled to the brim with human corpses.
Mood: Eerie, oppressive, dangerous, and mysterious, with an underlying sense of dread due to the well of corpses.
Ali Dschengiz is brought here by the Derwisch to learn the Ali Dschengiz game, discovers the imprisoned girl, and learns of the Derwisch's true, murderous nature.
The Padischah's Palace Garden House
An elegant garden house within the Padischah's sprawling palace grounds, likely an Ottoman-style kiosk or köşk, open to the surrounding garden. It is a place of leisure and observation, offering views of the palace gardens.
Mood: Initially peaceful and serene, quickly becoming tense and magical during the transformation chase.
The final magical duel between Ali Dschengiz and the Derwisch takes place here, witnessed by the Padischah, culminating in the Derwisch's defeat.