Classics Retold

The following night Shahrazad said: King Badr had trusted her, and embraced her and kissed her, and he thought that his uncle Sayih has not done justice to her charm or beauty. Suddenly Jauhara pressed him to her bosom, and uttering words he could not understand spat in his face and said, "Leave your human form, you vile good-for-nothing, and turn into a bird, the prettiest of birds, with white feathers and red bill and feet." Hardly had she uttered those words, king Badr was transformed into a bird of white feathers and red bill and feet.  The bird stood looking at Jauhara. The princess Jauhara had with her one of her maids, who had been hiding in the tree.  She climbed down at the call of the princess. The princess said to her, "By God, if I did not fear for my father, who is his uncle's prisoner, I would have killed him.  Listen girl, take him and carry him to the island of Thirst.  Leave him there and come back."   The girl took the bird, and carried it...

The following night Shahrazad said: Jauhara was on the top of a tree in an island. Badr was under the tree blinking at her.  Badr marveled at the strange coincidence, and he said to himself, "There is no doubt that my uncle had defeated al-Shamandal," and he felt very Happy, "and there is no doubt that I have attained my aim and fulfilled my wish by the capture of her father." He said to her, "Oh my lady, come down to me, for I am captured by your eyes and slain by your love.  It was on our account that this turmoils took place, for I am Badr, king of Persia, and Sayih is my uncle, who came to your father to demand you in marriage for me.  I have left my kingdom and my mother and relatives; I have parted from my friends and companions, and I have come far away from my country for your sake.  Our meeting here is a rare coincidence.  Come down to me, and I will take you to your father's palace, ask my uncle Sayih to release him, and make you my lawful wife....

The following night Shahrazad said: Sayih fled to the palace gate, where he found more than a thousand of his cousins, relatives and members of his entourage, followers and servants whom his mother had sent to support him.  They were armed to the teeth, with coats of mail and spears. They saw Siyah running, and they asked him, "What's the matter?"  Sayih told them what had happened. They know that al-Shamandal is an ill-tempered and arrogant man. They dismounted, and drawing their swords, hurried into the palace and saw al-Shamandal seated on his throne still raging against Siyah.  He was surrounded by his guards, attendants, servants and slave girls. The surge of Sayih's followers was not noticed by al-Shamandal's men. When they saw them coming with drawn sword.  al-Shamandal cried out, "Damn you, away with the heads of those dogs!" But his men were not prepared to fight; and before long the king was seized and bound by Sayih and his men.  Jauhara heard...

The following night Shahrazad said: Sayih said to al-Shamandal, "The sage says, 'If you wish to be denied, ask for what can't be supplied,' but my wish is one that the king is able to grant, for it is at his disposal and he is to give." al-Shamandal said, "Explain your case, tell me your need, and ask your wish."  Sayih said, "O King of the age, I come to you as a suitor, seeking the unique pearl, the priceless jewel, and the glorious princess Jauhara, daughter of our lord the king.  O king do not disappoint your suitor, but desire him who desires your daughter."   The king laughed in derision, until he fell on his back.  Then he said, "O Sayih, I thought you an excellent and wise young man who is reasonable and uttered nothing but what is sensible.  What has possessed you and urged you to embark on such a grave venture, and dangerous adventure to seek in marriage the daughter of the king who rules over cities and provinces and also comman...

The following night Shahrazad said: Sayih said to his mother, "My nephew is superior to her, because his father was king of all Persians.  He is now their king. Indeed, none but Jauhara is worthy of him, and none but he is worthy of her.  I will take to her father necklaces of rubies and other jewels, a present worthy of him, and demand her in marriage. If he objects to that I must endeavour to fulfill my nephew's wish, even if costs my life, because I was the cause of his infatuation, and just as I plunged him in the ocean of love, I will endeavour to marry him to the girl, and God will help me." His mother replied, "Do as you wish, but when you speak with al Shamandal, beware of offending him, for you know his pride and violent temper, and I fear he will lay hands on you, for he has no respect for anyone."  Sayih replied, "I hear and obey." He took two bags full of precious necklaces, emerald cabochons, and rubies and diamonds, and bade his servants ...

The following night Shahrazad said: When Sayih found that his nephew was insistent on getting Jauhara, he took off his finger a seal ring engraved with the names of the Almighty God and said to him, "Put this ring on your finger, it will protect you from whales and other beasts of the sea." And he gave the ring to his nephew. The king put the ring on his finger, and they plunged into the sea and reached his grandma's house.  She had been with her relatives. The king greeted her and kissed her hand. She embraced him, and kissed him between the eyes, and said, "O my son I bless you on you on your coming.  How is your mother Jullanar?" He replied, "O grandma, she is well, and she sends greeting to you, and her cousins." Sayih informed his mother that the king had fallen in love with Jauhara, the daughter of al-Shamandal as soon as he had heared of her." And he told her the story from beginning to end. "I may demand her in marriage on behalf of h...

The following night Shahrazad said:  That the conversation between Jullanar and her brother was overheard by by King Badr who had been lying beside them, half asleep and half awake. "She has jewel-like teeth, sweet lips, black eyes, a soft bod, heavy hips, and a slender waist." Badr had an obsession with full hipped girls. And the name Jauhara nurtured his obsession. Jullanar replied to her brother, "You are right, for I have seen her many times when she was a child. But it has been years before.  By God, none but Jauhara is worthy of my son." "But her father al-Shamandal is powerful, proud and ill-tempered.  Say nothing to your son, until we propose our idea to her father and receive his approval.  If he refuses we will keep quiet and seek another alliance," replied Sayih. Jullanar replied, "This is an excellent idea." Next morning the king and his uncle went for a bath.  After they returned, the servants gave them wine. Tables were set for food...