Classics Retold

Ninety eighth night  Shahrazad began the story:  I am relating, O the King, the story told by Ja'far to the Harun al Rashid the Caliph: Badr al-Din kept crying calling for help. The Chamberlain with his men drew close to the scene. They pushed the vizier's mercenaries aside to look at Badr al-Din, and hitting him on the shoulders with his stick, asked him, "Are you the one who cooked the pomegranate dish?" Badr al-Din cried with pain from the blow and replied, "Yes, my lord, but I ask you, in the name of God, what is supposed to be wrong with it?" But the Chamberlain scolded him and cursed him, saying to his men, "Drag away this dog who had cooked the pomegranate-seed dish." Badr al-Din felt miserable, and wept to himself, "What did they find wrong with pomegranate-seed dish that they should abuse me so much?" He felt frustrated for not knowing what his fault was. The men kept dragging him until they reached the tents, where they waited f...

Elizabeth very soon received an answer to her letter.  She hurried into a little copse, where she could read it in seclusion without interruption. "Gracechurch Street, September 6. "My dear niece, I have just received your letter, and shall devote this whole morning to answering it, as I forsee a little writing will not comprise what I have to tell you.  I am surprised by your application, I did not expect it from you.  Don't think me angry, I only meant to let you know that I had not imagined such an inquiry on your side.  Your uncle is as much surprised as I am.  Nothing but the belief of your being a party concerned would have allowed him to act as he has done.  But if you are really innocent and ignorant, I must be more explicit. "On the very day of my coming home from Longbourn, your uncle had a most unexpected visitor.  Mr Darcy called, and was shut up with him for several hours.  It was all over before I arrived; so my curiosity was not at ...

Ninety seventh night Shahrazad said: I heard O happy King, Ja'far said to the Caliph: Badr al-Din's mother said, "None has cooked this food, but my son Badr al-Din, for none knows as well as he." When the vizier heard her words he rejoiced and said, "Alas for you, my nephew! I wonder whether God will ever reunite us with you!" Then he rose at once, and called out his followers, attendants, slaves, camel drivers and porters, about fifty in all, and they came with sticks, clubs, and the like. He said, "Go to cook's shop and demolish it by breaking everything, even the pots and dishes. Then tie him with his turban and bring him here. But none of you harm him." As these mercenaries went out, Shams al-Din went riding to the office of the vizier. On the way he met the viceroy of Damascus to whom he showed the edicts of the King of Cairo. "Who is your adversary?" asked the viceroy. Shams al-Din replied, "He is a cook." The viceroy ...

The wedding day.  The carriage was sent to fetch the the couple. The family were assembled in the breakfast room to receive them. Smiles decked the face of the Mrs Bennet as the carriage drove upto the door. Mr Bennet looked impenetrably grave.  Their daughters alarmed, anxious, and uneasy. Lydia's voice was heard in the vestibule; the door was thrown open, and she ran into the room.  Her mother stepped forward, embraced her, and welcomed her with rapture, gave her hand with an affectionate smile, to Wickham, who followed his lady; and wished them both joy with alacrity which showed no doubt of their happiness. The reception from Mr Bennet, to whom they then turned, was not so cordial.  His countenance rather gained in austerity; and he scarcely opened his lips.  The easy assurance of the young couple, indeed, was good enough to provoke him.  Elizabeth was disgusted, and even Miss Bennet was shocked.  Lydia was Lydia still; untamed, unabashed, wild, no...

Ninety sixth night  Shahrazad said: I heard O happy King Ja'far said to the Caliph: The eunuch sat down, though his belly was full with what had eaten and drunk. Ajib dipped a piece of bread in the pomegranate dish and took a bite, but found the food insipid, for his belly was full. He said, "Bah, what is this awful stuff?" His grandmother was astonished and said, "Son, do you find fault with my food? I cooked it myself and no cook can compare with me, except my son Badr al-Din Hasan." Ajib said, "Grandmother, we have just now found in the city a cook who had prepared a pomegranate-seed dish whose aroma delighted the heart and whose flavour stimulates the appetite. Your food is nothing by comparison." When his grandmother heard his words, she was angry and, turning to the eunuch, said, "Damn you, you are corrupting my son by taking him into the city and letting him eat in cookshops." Eunuch was frightened at her words and said, "No, my l...

Mr Bennet had often wished for saving a part of his income to provide for the future of his wife and children.  He now wished it more than ever.  Had he done it Lydia need not have have been indebted to her uncle.  The satisfaction of prevailing on one of the most worthless men in Great Britain to be her husband might then have rested in its proper place. He was determined to find the extend of his brother's assistance, and discharge it as soon as possible. When Mr Bennet had married, economy was not a concern. It was hoped they were to have a son; the son would cut off the entail, as soon as he should be of age, and the widow of the younger children would by that means be provided for.  Five daughters successively entered the world, but yet the son was to come; and Mrs Bennet, for many years after Lydia's birth, had been certain that he would.  This event had last been despaired of, but then it was too late to be saving.  Mrs Bennet was least bothered of e...

Ninety fifth night. Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that Ja'far said to the Caliph. Badr al-Din said to Ajib, "When I followed you, I was beside myself." Ajib replied, "You must be very fond of us. You gave us a mouthful of food, and assuming that we owed you something you tried to dishonour us. This time we will not eat anything unless you swear that you will not hold us under any obligation, follow us or make any claim on us. Else we will not visit you again. We are staying here for a about a week, so that my grandfather may buy presents for the king of Egypt." Badr al-Din said, "Well you may do as you please." Eunuch and Ajib entered the shop, and Badr al-Din ladled from the top of the pot, a boulful of food and placed it before them. Ajib said to him, "Sit down and eat with us." Badr al-Din was glad and sat down and ate with his son, with his eyes fixed on him, for his whole being yearmed for him. Ajib said, "Ha ha haven't...