Classics Retold

O happy king, here is the story of third old man: Demon, let me introduce these two dogs, my brothers. When our father died, we were three brothers; and the father left us three thousand dinars. we divided them equally among ourselves and each of us opened a shop and became a shopkeeper. Soon my older brother, one of these very dogs went and sold the merchandise for thousand dinars, and bought some other merchandise and prepared himself for his trading journey, and left us. A full year went by.  As I sat in my shop, a beggar stopped by to beg.  When I refused him he tearfully asked, "Don't you recognise me?" I closely looked at him.  It was my brother. I embraced him and took him into the shop. He related me about his plight. The money is gone and he is ruined. I took him to the public bath; clothed him in one of my robes; took him home.  I examined my books to check my balance. I had made one thousand dinars; and my networth is two thousand dinars. I divided it betw...

On the fifth night, the art of story telling by Shahrazad began: The old man with the deer said to the demon and to his companions:  I took the knife and I turned to slaughter my son, he wept, and bellowed, rolled at my feet, and motioned towards me with his tongue.  I suspected something, began to  waver with trepidation and pity, and finally released him, saying to my wife, "I have decided to spare him, and I commit him to your care." Then I tried to appease and please my wife, this very deer by slaughtering another bull, and promising her to slaughter this one next season.  We slept that night, when the dwan broke, the shepherd came to me, and confided me, " Give me a credit for bringing you good news." I replied, "Tell me, the credit is yours."  "Master, My daughter is fond of soothsaying and magic and she is adept at the art of oaths and spells.  Yesterday I took home with me the bull you had spared, to let him graze with cattle, and when my daug...

The first old man approached the demon, and kissing his hands and feet, said, "Friend and king of demon kings, if I tell you what happened to me and that deer, and if you find it more stranger and amazing than what had happened to you and the merchant, will you grant me a third of your claim for him for his crime and guilt?" "Tell me, I will," said the demon. The old man with the deer began to tell his story: "Demon, you see this deer!  She is my cousin.  My flesh and blood.  I married her when I was very young, and she a girl of twelve, who reached womanhood only afterwards. For thirty years we lived together, but I was not blessed with children, for she bore neither boy nor girl. Yet I continued to be kind to her, take care of her, and treat her generously.  Then I took a mistress, and she bore me a son, who grew up to look like a slice of the moon.  Meanwhile, my wife grew jealous of my mistress and my son.  One day, when he was ten, I had to go a journe...

The Night. Shahrazad and Dinarzad in the King's Chamber. The King had been undergoing treatment, Shahrazad had been acting on behalf of him. King was waiting eagerly for the remaining portion of the story.  The merchant and the old man with the deer were talking.  Another man came with two black hounds, and greeted them, and they returned the greetings. The story of the merchant and the demon was now related to the new comer by the man with the deer. The new comer joined them to see the aftermath of the story. Another old man came and asked them why they were sitting,  at such a strange and frightening place. The second old man related the story of the merchant to the third old man. The third old man also joined them to see the demon coming and killing the merchant. They sat talking with one another.  Suddenly, they saw the dust rising, followed by the demon with a steel sword in his hand. He stood before them without any greeting; got hold of the merchant and jerked...

When the demon raised his sword, the merchant said, "Please give me time to say good-bye to my family, life and children, and divide my property among them. I shall come back." The demon replied, "I am afraid that you may never come." The merchant replied, I swear that I will stand by my pledge as the God of Heaven and Earth is my witness." The demon asked how long it would take. The merchant replied that it would take one year, so that he may see his children, bid his wife goodbye, discharge his obligations to people and come back on New Year's Day."  The Demon said, "Do you swear to God that you will come back on New year's Day?" The merchant gave his word. The demon released him, and he went home. He arrived at his home. He wept bitterly, and related to his wife and children what happened to him during the trip. When they heard his story the began to cry. The next day he wrote his will, dividing his property, discharged his obligations...

There was a prosperous and wealthy merchant whose wealths spread across countries. He had many women and children and kept servants and slaves. One day he set out for another country. He had in his saddle bag, all the provisions including loaves of bread, and dates. He mounted the horse and left his house. After many days and nights he reached his destination. After his business in the foreign country he returned to his home.  On the fourth day of his journey, he saw an orchard by the track, and went into it to save himself from the scorching sun. He found a walnut tree, by a spring, and tied his horse to it. He sat in the shade by the spring, pulled out some loaves of bread and dates out of the saddle bag, and began to eat, throwing the date pits here and there. When he had enough of the fruits, he reclined in the shadow assuming a fetal position. After this respite, he got up, walked upto the spring, washed his face, hands and legs, and performed his prayers. Hardly had he finish...

The vizier went home, conveyed king's message to Shahrazad: "The king asked me to send you alone." Shahrazad was very happy. After preparing herself, and packing what she needed, went to her younger sister Dinarzad, and said, "Sister, listen what I am saying, when I reach there I will send for you. And when you come, and see that we had finished with it, say, 'Sister, if you are not sleepy, tell us a story.' Then I would begin the story, and the story would lead him to reason, and he would stop his killings." Dinarzad wished her a happy ending. At nightfall, Shahrazad arrived at the court of Shahriar, walked to the quarters of the Queen. Terracota oil lamps were lit everywhere.  "I am a one day Queen, a one day Shahbanu " thought she, "I am Shahrazad Shahbanu." She said to herself in the flickering flame of terracota oil lamps. "Shara..." called out Shahrazad, and the chief female servant Arashshara came running to Shahrazad...

The merchant and his woman visit the stable to see how the donkey and the ox are getting on. It was a full moon day. The ox and the donkey were in conversation. "Listen, ox," said donkey, "what are you going to do tomorrow?"  "The same," said ox, "I will pretend to be ill, lie down and puff my belly." "Damn me!"said donkey himself. "Don't do it," he said to the ox, "don't you know that our master said to the plough man?" "What?" asked the ox. "He said that if the if the ox failed to get up and eat, he would call a butcher. I am afraid for you. So, when he brings fodder, get up and eat it." The merchant laughed loudly at the words of the donkey. "What are you laughing at?" asked his woman. The merchant was now aware of his situation. "Are you making fun of me?" asked his wife. "No," said the merchant. "Then, why did you laugh?" "I cannot tell you...

There was a wealthy and prosperous merchant who worked on his farm in the village. He employed many men, owned many camels and herds of cattle. He had a woman and many children in her; both grown up as well as toddlers. He knew the language of animals.  One day as he sat with his wife beside him, and the toddlers playing around, he glanced at a donkey and an ox, kept at the farmhouse, tied to the adjacent troughs. Both were immersed in talking. Since the farmer-merchant knew the language of animals, he began to listen. Ox was the first to talk: "Watchful, you are enjoying the comfort and the sevice you are getting. Your ground is swept and watered. They feed you with sifted barley, you have clear and cool water to drink.  Look at my situation; they take me in the midnight to plough, they clamp on me something they call yoke and plough, push me all day under the whip, to plough the field, and drive me beyond my endurance, until my sides are cut open, and my neck flayed. They wo...

On the morning of the third day, two kings, Shahriar of India Indochina and Shahzaman of Samarkand returned to the camp. Shahriar sat on his throne, and his brother Shahzaman sat nearby.  From the camp, they went to the palace of Shahriar. He summoned his vizier. When the vizier arrived the king said, "take my wife and put her to death." Then Shahriar went himself to the palace caught his lady and bound her, and handed over her to the vizier, who took her out and put her to death. Then brandishing his sword he walked to the harem, entered it and caught hold of his cocubines, one by one, and killed them.  There was resistance, flight, cries and shrieks and weeping, and the poor helpless children running here and there, terrorized and their mothers falling dead before them. All the slave girls were perished, and new imported cocubines were brought in. He then swore to marry for one night only, and kill the woman next morning in order to save himself from the wickedness of cunni...

Samarkand is in modern day Uzbekistan. In bygone days Shahzaman was the King of that kingdom.  His elder brother Shahriar ruled the kingdom of India and Indochina. Shahriar was an energetic towering knight.  He thought the country was loyal to him and the subjects obeyed him. [1] One day Shahriar thought of his brother, and felt a longing to see him. He summoned his vizier (minister) and bade him to go to his brother. Vizier journeyed day and night and was nearing Samarkand. Shahzaman heard of vazier's arrival, he went out with his retainers to meet the vizier. He dismounted, embraced him, exchanged pleasantatries asked for the news of his elder brother.  The vizier replied him that his brother is well. He had sent him to request Shahzaman to visit his elder brother. Shahzaman accepted the request, arranged everything for the well being of the vizier in his camp and returned to his palace to make preparations for his journey. The vizier camped at the outskirts of the...

Story telling is an oldest pastime. Since we are discussing Travels Of Marco Polo, we are concerned only with oral story telling. Marco Polo was a thirteenth century celebrity, alien to publishing industry. Printing was started around 1440 in Germany. Manuscript of Travels Of Marco Polo is said to have lost, and this has been the reason for sceptics rising questions about the veracity of his travels, and some of them even doubt whether he had at any time been in China. Story, as well as history is a narrative.  When historians fail to dig facts they go for legends which are a blend of fact and fiction. Homo Sapiens and Story Telling : Story telling is an evolutionary skill that helped to unite human beings. God and Devil, ancient stories that priests and later chiefs and kings evolved to keep their subjects in restraint are now adopted by their modern counter parts. God is still there, but Devil is blunt. So they conveniently adapted the term enemy. There were class enemies and...

Toctai now assembled his people and said: "My lords, we have come to fight king Nogai with reason. All the fued and enimity have risen from his not coming to account his conduct to the sons of Totamangu.  Since then his behaviour is unreasonable.  We must feel good courage and hope of conquest.  I earnestly pay that each man be valiant, and strive to carry destruction and death among the enemy. King Nogai had his reason to fight. He addressed his men and said, "Noble friends and brethren, you know how many battles we have won, against a better class of men than those who now oppose us.  Pray everyone to perform such exploits that the whole world may admire you.  Toctai drew out twenty dragons, and his enemy fifteen, of 10000 men each, with good captains and conductors.  Standing within bow shots, the naccar sounded.  They rushed forward and discharged their arrows. Many horses and men fell dead.  Loud cries arose and tears shed.  Arrows exhau...

In the  northwestern part of the Mongol Empire Mongu Temur was IIKhan. This part was also called Golden Horde aka Ulugu Ulus. Mongu Temur was also known as Mengu Timur. He was succeeded by Tolobuga, a very young man. Totamangu, a powerful chief aided by Nogai killed that prince and succeeded to sovereignty.  Totamangu, however, soon died and another bold chief Toctai was elected to sovereignty. Two sons of the slain monarch, when they were grown up, assembled a large body of troops, marched to the court of Toctai. They threw themselves on their knees before him, and said, "Noble Sire, we are the sons of Totamangu.  Our father had been killed by Tolobuga and Nogai. We seek vengeance on Nogai, because the other is not alive.  We pray to you to make him appear and account for the death of our father." The youth was then silent, and Toctai, feeling that he had spoken a truth replied, "My noble friend, I will willingly do what you ask." Accordingly he sent two messengers...

On the day of battle Alau rose early summoned his men to arms, and ranged them skilfully in order.  Thirty squadrons, each having 10000 horsemen under able leaders and captains. The squadrons advanced at a moderate pace over the plain.  They arrived midway between the camps, stopped and waited. Barka's men also came and the enemies stood within two bow-shots. The plain was so large that 300000 horsemen stood facing another 350000 horsemen ready to strike any time. Friends and relations of Genghis Khan stood face to face, ready to strike. The naccar sounded, men on each side rushed forward, archers drew the bow strings back, and when released. Arrows leaving the bows pierced through the air. Men and horses fell, on both sides. When arrows exhausted, swords met swords with thunder and lightening. Spears pierced through the air and and to the men, and they fell to the ground. Barka's men could not hold, they started fleeing. Alau won the battle, but many of his peers and relation...

Year 1261. There arose a dispute between two monarchs - Barka and Hoolaku. It was about a province on their boarder. Both of them thought that the ruler of the province would yield. And both of them decided to seize it. They declared war against the province, made greatest preparation. In six months each had assembled full 300000 horsemen, well armed forces to wage a war. Alau, the lord of East then set out with all his troops, and having rode many days, reached a wide plain between the Iron Gates and the sea of Sarain. There he pitched his camp.  He resolved to wait and see if Barka would come.  Barka pitched his camp at ten miles distance.  His army was large having 350000 horsemen.  While they rested Barka addressed his men: "Noble chiefs, you know how, since coming to the sovereignty, I have loved you as brothers and sons. You have accompanied me in many great battles, and aided me in conquering much territory.  Alau, a great and powerful prince, proposes wr...

Sain was a great and powerful king, he was the first Western Tartar king. He conquered Alania, Lac, Mengiar, Zic, Gucia and Gazaria.  The inhabitants had all been Comanian, but having no unity or connection, lost their country, and were driven into various parts of the world, while those who remained, became servants of the conquerer.  After him reigned successively Patu, Manga, Mungletemur, Totamongur, and Toctai, the present sovereign. Having thus recounted the kings of western Tartars, I will now describe a great battle, fought between Alau lord of the East and Barka, the lord of the west, with occasion which led to it. Note:- 1. Tartars also known as Tatar are a group of Turkic speaking people who lived in west central Russia, Kazakhstan and western Siberia. The term Tatar originated around 5th century CE among nomadic tribes in northeastern Mongolia and the area around Lake Baikal.  They have been related to Cuman or Kipchak peoples.  Mishar, also known as the W...

Russia is a great province towards the North.  Here Christians follow Greek church.  They have languages of their own, and several kings.  They are simple people, handsome, and fair.  The entrances and passes into it are strong; they own some allegiance to the Tartars king of the west, named Toctai.  The country yields few commodities, except the abundance of fur already described, equal to any in the world. There are silver mines.  There is a province lying between north and northwest and boardering Russia, named Lac inhabited by Christians and Saracens, and subject to a king. The people carry on merchandise and manufactures and have a vast varitiy of valuable furs. Russia is very extensive as to reach ocean where are isles on which pilgrim falcons and gyrfalcons are found, and carried to various parts of the world. From Russia to Oroech is no great distance but the extreme journey renders the journey very difficult.  The strait of Constantinople and ...

Beyond this kingdom is a province called Obscurity, because there never appears either sun, moon or star; but it is always dark as with us during twilight.  The people have no ruler, but live like brutes.  The Tartars, however, make occasional inroads in the following manner :- they ride on mares that have just brought forth foals, which last are left at the boarder.  Then they traverse the country plundering whatever they can find, and when they wish to return, the mares, seeking to find their young, know the way better than the riders.  The people are hunters, and take great numbers of sables, black foxes, and other animals with costly furs.  Those on their frontiers  meet them at a fixed period, purchase skins, sell them elsewhere with ample profit. These people are tall and well made, but pale and colourless.  The territory boarders on one side upon great Russia of which I shall now proceed to speak. Note:- The country may be Siberia 

In this quarter is a king named Conci. He and his people are Tartars, and adhere to rudest and brutal customs, never having changed since the time of Genghis Khan.  They have a shared ancestry with Mongols.  Most of the Mongol rulers had wives from Khongirad tribes. They have a god of felt named Nacigai, to whom they also give a wife. Together they guard the corn and the beasts of people. The king is independent being of the imperial line of Genghis Khan.  They have neither cites nor castles, and the people reside in vast plain diversified with valleys and mountains.  They are very submissive to him, and he maintains peace and union among them. They have no grains, but live on milk and cattle, which abound, including camel, horses, oxen, sheep, and other animals. There are also bears, white all over, and longer than twenty palms, foxes, large and black, sables whose skin is worth thousand bezants, rats of Pharaoh are plentiful, affording food to the people during sum...

Baidu, another member of the family, seized the sovereignty.  Baidu was a Christian. He was generally accepted. But Casan and his army was looking for an opportunity to take revenge on him.  He marched towards the country, and Baidu was informed of his advance.  He assembled a great force and marched to meet his opponent at a distance of ten days, and waited his enemy's arrival.  Within two days Casan came, and a bloody battle started. The battle was easy for Casan, because majority of the forces changed to Casan's side and fought against Baidu. He was thus embarrassed, and later killed. Casan immediately marched to the court and assumed Sovereignty.  All the barons paid him homage and obedience. You have heard all the train of affairs from Abaga down to Casan.  You must likewise know that Alau who conquered Bagdad, and was brother to Kublai, was ancestor to all the princes now named; for he was the father of Abaga, grandfather of Argon, who was the parent ...

When Argon was dead, his uncle Quiacatu, brother to Abaga, immediately seized the throne, as Casan was distant at Arbor Secco. When he received the news of seizing of throne by the uncle he was very much grieved, but was afraid to return and decided to wait for an opportunity.  Thus Quiacatu obtained general acceptance. He married the wife of Argon and largely indulged himself with concubines in his harem.  At the end of two years his death ensued, being occasioned by poison. End of the Section 

Argon was the master of the palace and the kingdom, and barons from every parts came to render him the homage and obedience.  After governing some time, he sent his son Casan with 30000 men to the country of the Arbor Secco to secure and guard his land and people.  Argon began his reign in the year 1286.  After holding the sceptre six years, he died, not without the suspicion of poison. End of the Section 

There was a grand old Tartar baron, who felt much pity for the prisoner and bethought him how wicked it was to keep their lord in this condition.  He resolved to attempt his deliverance.  He talked about this to many other chiefs, who were convinced of his point, and found it wise way.  Then Boga, from whom the proposal came, together with other chiefs went to the prisoner. Boga, the eldest spoke to him thus, "Noble prince, we are now fully sensible of having acted wickedly towards you, and have determined to seek a right path.  We will therefore deliver and own you as justly our liege lord." Argon thought they were mocking him, said, "My lords! You have done wrong enough in seizing your sovereign and making him a captive. Pray depart, and do not make him a subject of mockery." "Illustrious prince, said Boga, "We speak the truth, and will make oath to it according to our law." Then all the barons swore that they would obey him as their lord, while he ...

Next day the rivals, Argon and Acomat led their forces to the battlefront.  The rival forces were standing face to face; arrows flew like rain, men fell to the ground, the air was full of cries and laments of dying people. When the arrows were exhausted, swords flashed and spears pierced in the atmosphere.  Fallen arms, hands and heads, were scattered on the earth. Cries, weeps and wails lingered in the atmosphere. Argon stood the ground, but his men were compelled to flee, but chased and slain in great numbers. Argon himself was captured and taken to the rival camp. He was imprisoned, and carefully guarded.  Then being of voluptuous disposition, Acomat returned to his court to enjoy the society of his numerous and handsome wives. Argon remained in chains, uncertain of his future. End of the Section 

Not long after the battle, he received the news of the death of Abaga.  He was much grieved; yet prepared with his whole host to return to the court, and take possession of the Sovereignty; but he had forty days to march before arriving there.  A brother of the deceased monarch, named Acomat Soldan, who had become a Saracen, having heard of the event, bethought himself,  that since the heir was so distant, he himself might succeed.  Having prepared a large body of men, he marched directly to the capital, and seized the supreme power.  He found such an amount of treasure, that it could be scarcely be counted.  He lavished his bounty in a wonderful manner on chiefs of barons, who declared him a good master, liked him and wished for no other.  He studied to be popular and to please all men; yet the action he had committed was vile and blamed by many.  He came to learn that Argon was marching against him with a powerful force.  He made no delay, ...

Abaga ruled many provinces boardering on those of Kaidu, it was where grows the tree called in the book of Alexander Arbor Secco.  As the prince committed great raveges on his territory he sent his son Argon, with a very large host of Cavalry into the country of Arbor Secco, to the river of Gihon, where he took a station, fit to guard the country against the invader.  Kaidu, however, assembled a great body of horsemen, and gave the command to a brother named Barak, very brave and skilful, desiring to oppose the enemy.  Barak, with his troops, rode on till they came to the river, and were ten miles distant from Argon.  The latter, informed of the approach of the adversary, made diligent preparation; the two remained three days in their respective camps.  When they were fully prepared, and the naccar began to sound, they no longer delayed, but furiously rushed  against each other.  The arrows might be seen flying on all sides, and the air was so full of ...

Aigiarm was her name.  As it meant she was a brilliant moon. She possessed such streangth, that none of the youths or nobles in the kingdom could vanquish her, but were all beaten.  Her father wished to marry her to a baron. But she refused to unite ever to anyone who could not vanquish her in a fair combat; and the king granted her the privilege.  She rejoiced greatly, and published through various parts of the world, that if any gentle youth would come, try her in pitched battle, and gain victory, she would accept him as her lord.  This news attained a wide reach through the neighbouring countries, and many gentlemen came came and attempted. These attempts were conducted in the following manner. The king, with many young nobles and ladies, assembled in the great hall of the palace, when the princess entered in a rob of cotton richly adorned, attended by youths similarly attired. It was agreed that if her competitor threw her to the ground he should have her as his ...

This country lies to the northwest as you go from Cormos to River Gihon extending towards the territory of the great Khan.  It is governed by a nephew of Khan, named Kaidu; and grandson of Ciagatai, the brother of Khan.  He is a very powerful lord ruling many cities and castles.  His subjects are Tartars, very able combatants much inured to fighting, and he does not obey the Khan, but is rather at perpetual fighting with him.  Kaidu demanded of a share of his conquests, particularly in Catai and Manji.  Khan had said that he would willingly grant it to him, as to his other descendants, provided Kaidu come to his court and council whenever summoned.  But the other afraid to trust his uncle, offered to obey him where he was, but dreaded that if he in his power would be put to death.  Hence arose this discord, and the Khan drew his forces around  the realm of Kaidu to guard against an invasion; yet that prince contrived to penetrate and fought repeat...