Classics Retold

Shahrazad is the Frame story teller.The story was originally told by Lame Young Man to the guests of Quran recitation. The tailor who choked the hunchback to death tell the story to the king of China to get relief from the punishment. The original story as a first person account by the lame young man: The barber said, "The corn dealer sings better than the nightingale, and dances and says, 'O wailing mistress, you have not done badly.' which the men laugh until their hearts burst. As for the garbage man, he dances to the tambourine and charms even the birds, as he sings, 'News from my neighbour is locked in chest.' He is clever, deft, spirited, quick-witted, and refined fellow of whose virtues I like to say: A handsome garbage man Whose gait has set my heart on fire! Fate blessed me with him one night  On the ebb and flow of my desire  I said: you have inflamed me No wonder a scavenger can light the pyre! Every one of us know how to divert mind with mirth and fun. ...

The First Person Account of Lame Young Man: The barber threw down the razor, went out with astrolabe, and came back, counting on his fingers, and said, "According to the learned and wise mathematicians and astrologers, there are exactly three hours left to the end of prayer, neither more nor less."  I said to him, "For God's sake, fellow, hold your tongue, for you have tormented me enough." Then this cursed fellow took the razor and shaved a few hairs, and said, "By God, I don't know the cause of your haste, and I am concerned about it. You would better tell me. Your father and grandfather did nothing without consulting me." I realised that I am not going to get rid of him. I said to myself, "Noon is approaching, and I wish to go to the young lady before the people return from the mosque. If I am delayed much longer, I will not be able to get to her." I said to him, "Be quick and stop jabbering, I have to go to a party at the house o...

Blood letting was a common medical treatment in ancient times, believed to restore the balance to the body's humors and cure for various ailments. It was based on the theory of humors which posited that the health depended on the equilibrium of body fluids (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) When an imbalance was suspected, blood letting was used to restore the natural balance. Blood letting was practised by ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans as well as in China. The practice was deeply rooted in the humoral theory, which viewed illness as a consequence of an imbalance in the body's humors. Blood letting was performed using various methods, including: Leeches: Leeches were used to suck out blood. Cupping: Cups were used to create suction and draw blood. Phlebotomy: Also known as venesection, Cutting vein to allow blood flow out. Arteriotomy: cutting an artery, a more advanced surgical method. Blood letting was believed to be beneficial for a wide range of conditions,...

Tale By The Lame Young Man: I said to the barber, "For God's sake, spare me your chatter, for I am late." He laughed, and said, "There is no god but God. Glory be to him who changed not. My Lord, I must conclude that your illness has changed you, you have become foolish, while people usually become  wiser as they grow older. I have heard the poet: Comfort the poor, if you can God's recompense will be yours. Want is dire affliction, hard to cure,  But money can improve a sorry sight. Meet your fellows, wish them peace, Show your parents due reverence. How often they waited you sleepless, Praying to God to keep his vigilance. In any case, you are excused, but I worry about you. You should know that your father and grandfather did nothing without consulting me, for it is said, 'He who takes counsel shall not be disappointed,' and 'He who has no mentor will never be a mentor.' And the poet says: Before you proceed to do anything,  Consult a mature man...

Diogenes (BCE 404 to 323) is a perfect example of a Cynic. Cynic is a member of philosophical sect, who does not believe in kings and kingdoms and nations and nationhood. They flourished in fourth century BCE. He lived a life of a tramp, without any house and home. Towards the end of his life, he slept in public buildings, and begged his food. He advocated shamelessness, outspokenness, and austerity. Cynics advocated free access to goods, but was averse to ownership. He was influenced by Antisthenes another Greek philosopher of Cynic school. Life:- Diogenes was a citizen of Sinope. He was exiled for defacing the currency. It was not clear whether he defaced it or his father Hicesius defaced it or it was defaced out of wear and tear. It must have been a gossip by his enemies, opponents of his philosophical ideas. Anyhow he was forced to leave Sinope for Athens. Sinope is on a narrow isthmus connecting mainland Turkey to Boztepe Peninsula. Its geographical position made it a natural port...

"Am I not the one whom people call the silent one?" asked the barber to the young man. "Why?" said the young man, "I don't know." "Because I am taciturn. My elder brother is called al-Baqbuq meaning Prater. He talks foolishly and his talks are lengthy; the second al-Haddar, the Babbler, he burbles like flowing water ; the third al-Buqaybiq, the Gabbler, he talks like a drunken man. The fourth is al-Kuz, a stone mug. The fifth is al-nashshar, the Braggart, a snob. The sixth is Shaqayiq, noisy. And I al-Samit, the silent one." The barber kept talking, and I got exasperated and said to my servant, "For the sake of the Almighty God, give him four dinars and let him go. I do not wish to have my head shaved today." The barber said to me, "O my lord, what kind of talk is this? I swear that I am under an obligation not to accept any money from you until I have served you, and indeed I must serve you, and it is my duty to help you and f...

The barber put his hand in his leather bag, took out an astrolabe with seven plates inlaid with silver, went to the courtyard, held it towards sunrays, and, after some time said, "O my lord, eight degrees and six minutes have elapsed of this day, which is Friday, the eighteenth of Safar, in the six hundred and fifty third year of Hijra and Seven thousand three hundred and twentieth year of the Alexander era and the planet now in the ascendant, according to mathematical calculations on the astrolabe, is Mars, which is in conjunction with Mercury, a conjunction that is favourable for hair cutting. I can also see that you intend to meet another person and for that the time is inauspicious and ill-advised." I said, "By God, fellow, you are pestering me and wearing me with your wretched auguries. I have not brought you here to read stars, but to shave my head. Proceed at once whith that job or get out, and let me call another man." "By God, my Lord, even if you had ...

The old woman said to Judge's daughter, '"O my lady, I fared badly at your hands, and when I went back to him and acquainted him with your reply he got worse, and remained bed-ridden untill I thought that he would surely die and gave him up for lost.' The young lady turned pale and asked, 'All this because of me?' I replied, 'Yes, what is your command?' 'Let him come here on Friday, before the noon prayer. When he comes I will come down, and take him upstairs. But he should leave before my father comes back."' My anguish ceased. "Ba ready on Friday," said the old woman. I gave her the reward and she went away. On Friday, the old woman came in. I was hale and hearty. She asked me to go for a wash. I have already washed myself with water. I want a barber to shave my head. I asked my servant to get me sensible and discreet barber, who will not give me a headache with his chatter. The servant went out and brought a old and wretched ba...

After the recitation of verses, she looked at me and smiled. Her verses reflected my passion and distress. She said to me, "Son, tell me your story." I told her my secret.  She said, "That young lady is the daughter of the Judge of Baghdad. She is kept in strict seclusion. You saw her in her private room upstairs where she occupies by herself alone, and her  parents live downstairs. I often visit her, and I will help you, and you will not get to her, but through me only. Gird your loins." When I heard I was relaxed, and I began to eat and drink, to the satisfaction of my family. She came to me, the following morning, crestfallen, and said, "Son, don't ask how I fared with the young lady when I mentioned you to her. The last thing she said about you was, 'Wretched woman, if you don't stop this talk, I will punish you as you deserve, and if you ever mention him again, I will tell my father.' But by God, son, I must try her again, even if I suffer ...

The old woman looked at me and recited the following verses: No by her radiant brow and rosy cheeks. My eyes turned when she left the place, like an eyeless man I rolled along in my confusion  Stumbling in her trace. She was a nimble deer used to run A cruel mistress, a heart of stone She set my heart on hellish fire And I a misfit alien and alone,  Cheeks in dust and eyes in tears,  Mourning the old days and love. Helpless I grieve, what avails,  I am dead without her, not in grave,  Haunted by everlasting memories  Of her face where no joy or rage. Heart with grief and soul expire,  Of heart of silver in a marble cage! Consumed with love and impatience  I watched my rivals pressing in turn Unable to reproach them, their love O will the good old days return ever? How my soul forbear or forget  Her slender body and lovely face, Like shining sun dazzled the world  And I held her in an ardent embrace  Fondling her cheeks, silk renowne...

When we heard this description of barber we were anxious to know about it in detail. One of us said, "None of us are able to enjoy our food till we hear the story of the barber." The young man said, "O friends, I had an adventure with this barber in my native city, Baghdad. He was the cause of my lame, the breaking of my leg. I have sworn never to sit in the same place or live in the city with him, and because of him I left Baghdad and settled in this city. Now, I suddenly find him here with you. Not another night shall pass before I depart from here." We begged him to sit down and tell us what had happened between him and the barber, in Baghdad, while the barber turned pale and bowed his head. The young man said: My father was one of the richest men of Baghdad, and God has blessed him with no other child but myself. When I grew up and reached manhood, he died. He left me great wealth, and I began to dress handsomely and to live the best of lives. It somehow happene...

The king of China heard the Jewish physician's story. He did not see it more amazing than the story of the hunchback, and he expressed his disappointment. He said to the tailor, "You are the chief offender in this case. Tell me a story that is more amazing and wonderful and more entertaining than the story of the hunchback." The tailor agreed to tell the story. Also known as The Arabian Nights, these stories were compiled and published after the invention and popularity of the knowledge of printing. The expressions "Thousand & One Nights" and "Thousand Tales" were intended to mean a large number and were taken literally only later, when stories were added to make up the number. By 20th century, scholars have agreed that The Arabian Nights is a composite work originally transmitted orally by ancient and mediaeval story telling communities. Its variety and geographical range of origin --- India, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, China, Turkey and Greece --- make si...

Frame story was told by Shahrazad. The stories are also known as The Arabian Nights. These stories were told over centuries by the ancient story tellers, one of the main source of entertainment in the ancient and mediaeval times. No one country can boast of story telling traditions; it was more or less prevalent in almost all cultures. In the Middle East the story tellers were called Ashiks, In West African culture they were called Griots, In Europe bards, in Indian subcontinent they were called Sutas, Kathavachak, and Panans and Kakkalans according to diverse cultures. The present story was originally told by the Mosul Youth to Jewish physician. Jewish physician told it to the king of China. The coming part of the story was told by the father of the murdered girl to the Mosul Youth  The father of the murdered girl was a governor. He came in search of his daughter and met the Mosul Youth from whom her necklace was found out. "The first lady who came to you was my eldest daughter. ...

I was ill for two days. On the third day my landlord and the chief merchant who had bought the necklace and accused me of stealing stood at my door with five police officers. "No peace for me, all because of that lady," I thought. Before I asked them, "What's the matter?" they caught hold of me and bound me, and put around my neck a collar attached to a chain, saying, "the necklace that was with you belongs to the governor of Damascus, who says that it had been missing for the last three years, together with his daughter." My heart sank within me, and I went with them with a cut-off hand. I covered my face, saying to myself, "I will tell the governor, my true story mingled with the story of his daughter, whatever be its outcome, death or life." They brought me to the governor and made me stand before him. He looked at me, and said, "Unbound him. Is he the one who took my daughter's necklace to the market to sell?" "Yes, he ...

Shahrazad was the frame story teller. The present story was originally told by the Mosul Youth to the Jewish physician and the Jewish physician related it to the king of China as a first person account by the Mosul Youth: I set out my journey, and God granted me safe passage, and I reached Cairo. I met my uncles. They had already sold their goods on credit. They were glad to see me, but surprised at my arrival. I did not tell that I had no money, and exhausted everything. I stayed with them enjoying Cairo and its sight, and began to spend the rest of my money, squandering it on feasting and drinking. When the time drew near for my uncles' departure, I hid myself from them, and when they looked for me, but could not find me, they said, "He must have gone back to Damascus", and departed. After their departure, I came out of hiding and lived in Cairo for three years, sending every year to the landlord in Damascus, the rent for the house, until at last I squandered all money,...

On the third day at dusk she came with the girl. I received them with pleasure and delight and I lighted the candles to have a bright and clear view of the new guest. The girl unveiled herself and stood before me. By this time I was lost in indulgence of eating, drinking and dalliance and I never thought of improving myself in the way that my father and uncles had shown me. When I sat to eat I kept feeding the girl, and it was her touch I enjoyed and I think she also enjoyed it. When we finished eating I set the wine and the fruits and sweets. The girl winked at me and I winked at her and the lady kept looking at me and at her, and said, "My darling, isn't this girl, whom I have brought you, more beautiful and charming than I?"  I replied, "Yes, she is." "Would you like to sleep with her?" she asked me. I replied, "Yes, I would like to." "Afterall, she is only a visitor here tonight while I am always here." Then girding herself, she...

The frame story teller is Queen Shahrazad. The present story was originally told by the Mosul Youth to the Jewish physician. The Jewish physician later told the story to the king of China. The story is presented by Jewish physician as a first person account by Mosul Youth: When she entered I was bound to honour her. I went in and closed the door behind us. She sat and raised her veil, and a pair of sparkling eyes looked into my eyes. Then she took off her cloak, and I saw her beautiful shape. I went out and bought a tray of the most delicate food and fruits and wine. We ate and drank. When it was dark I lighted the candles, and set the cups. We ate and drank and then we slept together. In the morning I offered her ten dinars. She frowned upon me, "Shame on you,  man from Mosul, to think that you can have me for gold or money!" Taking out twenty dinars from her pocket she put it into my pocket, hugged me and said, "Darling, expect me in three days, between sundown and nig...

The Jewish physician told the story to the king of China. The story was originally told by the Mosul Youth to the Jewish physician. The story as told by the Mosul Youth: My father went on to describe Cairo, and when he finished with the Nile and Ethiopian pond, he said, "What is this compared with the observatory and its charm, of which every approaching viewer says, 'This spot is full of wonders.'; and if you speak of the Night of Nile Flooding Feast wonders, open the floodgates of words and release the bow, and if you see al-Rauda park in the shade of late afternoon you will be thrilled with wonder and delight, and if you stand at the river bank, when the Sun is sinking and the Nile put its coat of mail and shield you will be refreshed by the deep and ample shade and gentle breeze." When I heard this, my thoughts dwelt so much on Cairo, that I was unable to sleep that night. Some time later my uncles prepared merchandise for a trade journey to Cairo. I approached my...

Mosul Youth continued his story: I had grown up and reached manhood. One day, I went with my father and uncles to Mosul mosque. After prayer the people went out. But my father and uncles did not leave. We sat in a circle and they began to chat. Wonders of foreign lands and the marvels and markets of cities came in their discussion. One of my uncles said, "Travelers say that Cairo is a fair and beautiful city." At that moment I longed to see Cairo. Another said, "Baghdad is a paradise and the capital of the world." "He who has not seen Cairo has not seen the world,"  said my father, "its dust is gold, its women dolls, and its Nile a wonder, whose water is sweet and refreshing, and whose clay is soft and cool.as the poet said: Enjoy the flooding Nile Whose waters bestow riches The Nile is not the tears I shed A boon, flows from my blighted eyes. Its garden with flowers and blossoms, Nile with its islands, the Ethiopian pond, all these will be a dazzling...

The story was told by Jewish physician, who involved in the case of hunchback, who was choked to death. The Jewish physician:  O, the king of age, when I had been studying medicine in Damascus an amazing thing happened. One day a Mamluk from the house of the governor came to take me. When I entered the house, at the upper end of the hall, a sick young man was lying on a bed. He was handsome, and I sat at his head and offered a prayer for his recovery. He responded with his eyes. "My lord, give me your hand, and may you recover speedily." I said to him. He put forth his left hand, and I wondered and said to myself, "By God, it is strange that such a handsome young man of such a high family should lack good manners. How very strange!" I felt his pulse and wrote him prescription, and for ten days I continued to visit visit him till he recovered and I took him to bath. When I came out the governor bestowed on me a robe of honour and appointed me superintendent of the ho...

One hundred and thirtieth night. Shahrazad was the frame story teller. The story of the young Baghdad man was told by him to those present at the occasion of recitation of Quran. The steward in the story of the hunchback was also present as a guest at the recitation of Quran. This was later told to the king of China by the steward. The steward continued the story: When the young man's wounds healed and he recovered the maid of Zubaida slept with him. He spent the rest of the month with her in the palace. He felt depressed with the sluggish life in the palace. One day his wife said to him, "Listen! The Caliph's palace is no place for us to live permanently. Lady Zubaida has given me fifty thousand dinars. Take some money with you and go and buy us good and beautiful house." Then she gave him ten thousand dinars. He went out with the money and bought a beautiful house. She moved in with him to the new house. They lived for many years, after which she died.  After the re...

The girls interceded with the maid, "Our lady, this man does not know your worth. Forgive him for our sake."  "No," said she, "he is mad. I must punish him. "Our lady," said the girls, "for God's sake don't blame for his inadvertance. See his plight in the chest. And then ten days of hiding. Have mercy upon him." She yelled. She cursed. And she went away. And they followed her. She was absent for ten days. A maid came with food and drink, and she repeated that her mistress was not feeling well because of the not cleaning after eating ragout spiced with cumin. After ten days the maid announced that her mistress is going to bath and she was about to come. And she came, and repeated the same question, "Couldn't you be  patient for one minute? I will not make peace with you until I punish you for not coming clean. Then she cried out to the girls, "Come, Bound him!". The girls surrounded him, bound his hands, and she to...

The young man stayed in the palace ten days and nights without seeing the young lady. Lady Zubaida consulted the Caliph about the marriage of her waiting woman, and he gave permission and assigned ten thousand dirhams. Lady Zubaida sent for judges and witnesses, and they drew up marriage contract, performed the ceremony, celebrated the wedding for ten days. Sumptuous meals and sweets were served. At the end of ten days the young lady entered the bath. They set before the Baghdad Young man, the bridegroom a supper tray. Among the dishes was a greate platter of ragout cooked with pistachio nuts, white sugar, rose water and cumin. The young groom fell upon ragout and ate it until.he was satisfied. Then he wiped his hands and forgot to wash the hands. When the night fell, they lit the candles. Musicians and singing women came in procession singing melodies accompanied by tambourines. They kept parading from room to room, displaying the bride and receiving gifts and money and pieces of silk...

The Caliph said to the eunuchs, "Open the chest, and let me see what is inside." The young lady said, "O my lord, open it in the presence of the Lady Zubaida, for that which  in it is her secret, and she is more particular about this one than all other chests."

The Chief of the eunuchs started up from the sleep and cried out to the young lady, "Don't delay, you must open these chests." The chest that he was about to start was the one  which carried the young man. When they brought it to him the young man lost his senses, and wet until his urin began run out of the chest. The young lady said, "Chief, you have ruined me and ruined my merchants by spoiling the merchandise to Lady Zubaida. The chest contains coloured dress, and a jar of Zam-zam water. The jar has just tipped over and the waters will make the colours run."  The chief of the eunuchs said, "Take the chest and go." But hardly had the eunuchs carried the chest and hurried away with all other chests came a voice, "O my, the Caliph, the Caliph!"  The Caliph asked the young lady, "What is in this chests of yours?" She replied, "Clothes for the Lady Zubaida." He uttered, "Open them and let me see," The young lady re...

One day the eunuch came to the young man's shop. The young man treated him cordially. "What about your mistress?" "She is pining with love for you." "Who is she?" "She is one of the waiting women who is in charge of the errands of Lady Subsida,  the wife of the Caliph who brought her up. She told her lady about you and begged her to marry her to you. But lady Zubaida said, "I will not, till I see him. I have to see whether he is handsome and he is a match for you."  "I will take you to the palace," said the eunuch. If you succeed in entering without being seen you may win her in marriage, but if you are found out, you will lose your head. "What do you say?" The young man asked, "I am ready to go with you." He said, "As soon as night falls go to the mosque built by Lady Zubaida on the Tigris river." He went to the mosque, where he performed evening prayer and passed the night. Before daybreak there ...

After one week the merchants began to ask the payment against the sale of fabrics. The young Baghdad man asked them to wait. Another week passed and the lady came, in the early morning, riding the she-mule, guarded by the eunuch and the slaves. She greeted the merchant, sat in front of him, and said, "I am late in bringing the money for the fabrics. Fetch a money changer and receive the money." The merchant sent for the money changer, and the eunuch counted out the money and gave it to the young man. Then she and he sat talking until the other shops opened. The merchant paid every merchant what he owed to each of them.  Then she asked for a fresh lot of fabrics and it cost thousand dinars. After getting the goods she went away without making the payment or saying anything. The young man regreted what he had done. This time she took thousand dinars worth of goods. "What a predicament!" he thought, "she had given me five thousand dirhams and took goods worth one ...

The story told by the steward, and later included in her collections by Shahrazad, the frame story teller. This is the second part of the story. The merchant of Baghdad sat in his shop in the early morning. No other shops in the market were opened. The lady came riding a she-mule accompanied by two slaves and a eunuch. She dismounted, leaving the she-mule at the gate, entered the only shop opened and sat in front of the young man. She lifted her veil and looked into the eyes of the man, from whom came a sigh of appreciation when he saw the beautiful face of the lady. "Do you have any fabrics?" she asked. He replied, "My lady, your servant is poor, wait until the other merchants open their shops. I will get you whatever you wish." They sat talking for a while, and the young man was beginning to feel an overwhelming passion for her. When the other merchants opened their shops, he rose and went out. Then he returned with the fabrics of her desire. She gave the fabrics ...

O king of the age, last night I was invited to hear a recitation of Quran, where the doctors of law as well as a great many citizens of your city were assembled. After the recitation, the table was spread, and among the dishes set before us there was a ragout spiced with cumin. But when one of the guests saw the ragout, he held back and abstained from eating. We entreated him to eat of the ragout, but he swore that he would not, and we pressed him until he said, "Don't force me to eat, for I suffered enough from eating this dish." Then he repeated the following verses: Shoulder your drum, my man, and Leave your home And use the kohl if 'tis the  Kohl you like.  We said to him, "Tell us the reason of your refusal to eat of the ragout," and as the host insisted saying, "I swear that you must eat of it," the guest replied, "There is no power and no strength, save in God. If I must eat, then I will first have to wash my hand forty times with soap,...

The young man visited the Christian trader and said, "I was busy selling my stock, I did not have time to come to you and collect my money. I have sold every crop she had left me. Now you know why I eat with my left hand. I have made a mistake. I should have told her that I exhausted my money fully. But my pride did not allow me to open my heart. Like a meteor, she came into my life, and disappeared. I am here to make you a present of all the money you collected for my sesame. It is only a small portion of what she had bestowed on me. The law of your land is harsh, and the administers of it too. But your people were very sympathetic to me. Even the soldier whom I had wronged was sympathetic to me." The young man added, "I have prepared a load of merchandise for trading. Are you going with me abroad?" The Christian trader set out with the young man. They came to China. But the young man returned to Cairo. Here, the Christian trader asked asked the king of China, ...

One thousand and one nights that we see today is, in fact, was a blueprint kept by the ancient and mediaeval story tellers, and storytelling was a precursor of drama. In the course of actual rendering of the art they might have embellished upon this blueprint to prolong the process and to retain the suspense of the audience. Title of the story:  The young man with severed hand and the girl - 10 She gave a cup of wine to the young man. He took it with his left hand, tears rolling down his cheeks. A very loud cry from her, followed by, "My lord, why do you weep, and why do you hold the cup with your left hand? "I have a boil on my right hand," said the young man. "Put it out, I will lance it for you," she said. "It is not ready yet," said the young man. She kept forcing him to drink, and he drank and fell asleep. In his sleep she examined his right hand and found the truth. Then she searched him and found the purse and his severed hand wrapped in a hand...

The young man with severed hand and the girl - 9 The chief of police saw the purse, he seized it and took out the gold coins. He counted it and it was twenty Dinars. He was angry, and yelled at the officers, "Bring him." "Young man," said the the chief when the young man was brought up before him, "there is no need to force it out of you if you tell me the truth. Did you steal his purse?" The young man bowed his head, and uttered a soliloquy, "I cannot deny it, for they found the purse in my clothes, but if I confess I will be in trouble. At last he raised his head and said, "yes, I took it." The chief called for witnesses, and they attested the confessions of the young man. All of this took place at the Zuwayla Gate. The executioner was summoned. He cut off the right hand of the young man. He would have cut off the right foot also. But the people protested; the soldier also felt pity towards the young man and interfered. The chief left whil...

The young man with severed hand and the girl - 8 The young merchant could not continue his eating, drinking and dalliance for an indefinite period. He found that fifty dinars every day to the lady had been draining his purse, and he became penniless. He left his lodgings at Caravanserai, and walked along Bain al-Qasran street until he came to Zuwayla Gate, where it was so crowded that the gate was blocked up with people. As it had been foreordained, he found himself pressed against a soldier, and his hand came upon the soldier's breast and felt a purse inside. The young merchant looked, and seeing a green tassel hanging from the pocket, realised that it was attracted to a purse. The crush grew greater every moment, and just then a camel bearing a load of wood jostled the soldier on the other side, and he turned to ward it off from him, lest it should tear his clothes. And Satan tempted the young man and he pulled the tassel and drew out a little blue silk purse, with something clin...

The young man with Severed hand and the girl - 7 The young man entered the hall, and hardly had he sat down, when the lady came bedecked in fine clothes and ornaments, with a diadem on her head. Her face was made up and her eyes were penciled.  She smiled at the young man, hugged him, and pressed him to her bosom. Setting her mouth to his, sucked his tongue and he responded likewise. "Can it be true, my lord, that you have indeed come to me?" she said to the young man. He replied, "Yes, I am with you and am your slave." She said, "By God, Since I first saw you I have enjoyed neither food nor sleep." The young man thought that he also felt the same. Then they sat down to chat. Then she herself set the table for the food. Sumptuous dishes were served: ragout, fircassee, fritters soaked in honey, and chickens stuffed with sugar and pistachio nuts. After the food the servants removed everything. The young man found that she was wealthier than him. They passed ...

Frame story by Shahrazad. Those present at the occasion: Shahriar, and Dinarzad. These stories were popularized by Ashiks of the Middle East. They had their counterparts like Griots of West Africa, Bards of Celtic societies, Troubadours of Occitania (France) and Italy, Sutas of North India, and the Panans of South India. Many of these stories were intermixed because of the artist merchants and the pastoral community helping a cultural fusion. Some of these stories are used by Shahrazad to enlighten Shahriar, who went berserk when he saw his principal wife in compromising posture with a black slave. Shahrazad wanted to prove that the idea of virginity and chastity were a myth followed by patriarchal society. The present story originally told by an Egyptian trader to the king of China. The title of the story:  The Young man with Severed hand and the girl -6 The young man said the girl, "I have no lodging but the Caravanserai. Do me a favour and let me come to your place."  ...

 THE YOUNG MAN WITH SEVERED HAND AND THE GIRL- 6: Originally told by the Christian trader to the king of China. After a sleepless night, in the morning, the young man changed his clothes and hurried to the shop of Badr al-Din. Hardly had he reached the shop, the lady came up accompanied by a maid. She was more richly dressed than before. She greeted the young man, and said, "Sir let someone receive the money." The young man replied, "What is the hurry?" "My dear, may I never lose you?" said she and gave him the money. Then they sat talking. The young man dropped some hints by which she understood that he wanted to have an affair with her. She rose hastily and went away, taking his heart with her. He left the shop and walked in the market, when suddenly the black maid came up to the young man and said, "My lord, my lady wishes to speak to you." The young man was surprised and said, "Nobody knows me here."  "My lord, how soon you see...

Queen Shahrazad is the frame story teller. Her sister Dinarzad is also present. Also the King Shahriar.  The present story was told originally by an Egyptian trader to the king of China. Title of the story: THE YOUNG MAN WITH SEVERED HAND AND THE GIRL - 5 When the girl threw the piece of fabric back into the shop and turned to go, the young man felt as if his soul was going with her, and cried out to her, "For God's sake, lady, do me a favour and come back." She turned back, saying with a smile, "I am coming back for your sake," and sat in the shop facing the young man. The young man asked Badr al-Din, "Sir what was the price we set for this piece of fabric?" "One thousand and two hundred dirhams," came the reply. The young man asked Badr al-Din to give him a piece of paper, and said to Badr al-Din, "I will give you one hundred dirhams as a profit for it, and write to you a discharge." Then he wrote the discharge, took the piece of ...

The Young Man with Severed hand and the Girl - 4 The brokers said to the young merchant, "We can tell you how you can make a profit without risk. You should do what the other merchants do and sell your goods on credit for a fixed period, on a contract drawn by the scribe and duly witnessed, employ a money changer, and collect your money, every Monday and Thursday. In this way you will make a profit, while you spend your own time enjoying the sights of Cairo and the Nile." This was found suitable by the young man. So he took the porters and brokers to the Caravanserai and handed over the bales of fabric to them, made a duly witnessed contract, and left it with the banker.  The young man continued to stay at the Caravanserai. He used to go to the market every Monday and Thursday, and sit in the shop of one or other of the merchants, while the scribe and the money changer went round to collect the money. By afternoon the scribe and money changer would bring the money and the you...

One hundred and twelfth night. The Young Man with Severed Hand and the Girl -3 Shahrazad, Shahriar, and Dinarzad were present. Shahrazad was the frame story teller. This was the third part of the story:  The young man with severed hand and the girl, as told by the Christian trader to the king of China. When we finished eating, I poured water on his hand and gave something to wipe it with, and after I offered him some sweets, we sat to chat. I asked him, "Sir, releive mind by telling me why you ate with me with your left hand? Does something ail your right hand?" At this, the young man wept and recited the following verses: If Leyla I have for Selma exchanged 'T was not at will but by necessity. Then he drew his right arm from his bosom and showed it to me. It was a stump, with hand cut off at the wrist. I was astonished. He said, "Don't say to yourself that I am conceited and eaten with my left hand out of conceit. There is a strange story behind the cutting off ...

One hundred and eleventh night. Shahrazad the queen and the story teller was present along with Shahriar, her husband and the King of India Indo china. The title of the story is "The young man with Severed hand and the girl." The story was originally told by the Christian trader to the king of China. This is the second part of the story. The Christian trader: - The young man looked as if he had just come from the bath. When I saw him, I left the shop and went upto him, saying, "Sir, Will you take your money back?" He replied, "What is the hurry? Wait till I sell the rest of my crop. I will take from you next week when it is sold." When he left I said to myself, "When he comes next time I will invite him to eat with me." He was absent for the rest of the year, during which I used his money, trading with it and making a great deal of profit. At the end of the year, he came back again, dressed in fine clothes. I went upto him, and swore by the New T...

One hundred and tenth night. Shahrazad the queen, her husband and king Shahriar were present. Dinarzad, also known as Dunyazad, the sister of Shahrazad was also present. This story was originally told by the Christian trader to the king of China. The title of the story is: The Young Man with Severed Hand & the Girl -1 Christian trader:  - O king, I came as a stranger to your country, bringing merchandise with me, and was fated to stay here these many years. I was born an Egyptian Christian, a native of Cairo. My father was a prominent broker. When he died I stepped into his shoes. One day, when I was sitting in the market of fodder merchants in Cairo, a handsome, well dressed young man, riding a tall ass, came upto me. He saluted me, and I rose in salute. He took out a handkerchief containing sesame, and asked me, "How much is the measure worth?" I replied, "It is a hundred dirhams worth." "Take a measure and some porters and come to al-Jawli caravanserai b...

One hundred and ninth night: Shahrazad began to tell the story: The absence of the Hunchback was felt in the court of the king. The king inquired about him from one of those present. He replied, "O Lord, I have heard that the chief of Police found a dead hunchback and caught his killer. But when he was about to hang him, a second and third man came forward, and each of them claimed to be murderer. They are still there, each telling the chief how the hunchback died." When the king of China heard this, he called out one of the Chamberlains, saying, "Go down and bring me everyone." The Chamberlain went down at once, and reached at the site of gallows. The hangman had put the rope round the tailor's neck, and was about to hoist him up. He cried out to the hangman, "Stop!" and turning to the chief, relayed to him king's order. The chief took the tailor, the Jew, the steward, and the Christian together with the hunchback, carried on a litter, and brought...

One hundred and eighth night. Shahrazad began the story of the hunchback.  The Jewish physician admitted that he was responsible for the death of the hunchback. "Release the steward and hang the Jew." The police chief ordered. The hangman seized the Jew and put the rope around his neck, when the tailor made his way through the crowd and said to the hangman, "Stop, this man did not kill him, and none killed him but I." Then turning to the chief he said, "My lord, none killed the hunchback but I. Yesterday I went out to see the sights, and when I returned in the evening, I met the hunchback, who was drunk and singing and playing on the tambourine. I invited him home with me and then went out, bought fried fish for him, and brought it back. Then we sat to eat, and I took a piece of fish and crammed it down his throat, and he choked on a bone and died instantly. My wife and I were frightened, and we carried him to the Jew's house. We knocked at the door, and wh...