The Arabian Nights

by Padraic Colum

  So the King Bedr Basim knew that this old woman was the mother of the Queen, and that the stratagem had been accomplished against him, and he desired to flee. But, lo, the old woman uttered a loud whistle; whereupon there presented himself before her an ‘Efrit like a great mountain; and the King Bedr Basim feared, and stood still. The old woman mounted upon his back, took her daughter behind her, and the King Bedr Basim before her, and the ‘Efrit flew away with them, and there elapsed but a short time before they arrived at the palace of the Queen Lab; after which, when she had seated herself upon the throne of her kingdom, she looked at the King Bedr Basim, and said to him, O young wretch, I have arrived at this place, and attained what I desired, and I will shew thee what I will do with thee and with this sheykh, the grocer. How many benefits have I conferred upon him, and he doth evil unto me! And thou hadst not attained thy desire but by his means.—Then she took some water, and sprinkled him with it, saying to him, Quit this form in which thou now art, and assume the form of a bird of hideous appearance, the most hideous of birds! And he was transformed immediately, and became a bird of hideous appearance; upon which she put him into a cage, and withheld from him food and drink.

  But a servant girl looked at him, and had compassion on him, and she fed him, and gave him to drink, without the knowledge of the Queen. Then the servant found her mistress gone out one day, and she went forth and repaired to the sheykh, the grocer, and acquainted him with the case, saying to him, The Queen Lab is resolved upon the destruction of the son of thy brother. So the sheykh thanked her, and said to her, I must surely take the city from her, and make thee Queen in her stead. He then uttered a loud whistle, and there came forth to him an ‘Efrit who had four wings, and he said to him, Take this girl, and convey her to the city of Jullanar of the Sea, and to her mother Farasheh; for they two are the most skillful in enchantment of all existing upon the face of the earth. And he said to the girl, When thou hast arrived there, inform them that the King Bedr Basim is a captive in the hands of the Queen Lab. The ‘Efrit therefore took her up, and flew away with her, and but a short time had elapsed when he alighted with her upon the palace of the Queen Jullanar of the Sea. So the girl descended from the roof of the palace, and, going in to the Queen Jullanar, kissed the ground, and acquainted her with the events that had happened to her son from first to last; upon which, Jullanar rose to her, and treated her with honor, and thanked her. The drums were beaten in the city to announce the good tidings, and she informed her people, and the great men of her empire, that the King Bedr Basim had been found.

  After this, Jullanar of the Sea, and her mother Farasheh, and her brother Salih, summoned all the tribes of the Jinn, and the troops of the sea; for the Kings of the Jinn had obeyed them after the captivity of the King Es-Semendel. Then they flew through the air, and alighted upon the city of the enchantress, and they plundered the palace, and slew all who were in it. They also plundered the city, and slew all the infidels who were in it in the twinkling of an eye. And Jullanar said to the girl, Where is my son? The girl therefore took the cage, and brought it before her, and pointing to the bird that was within it, said, This is thy son. So the Queen Jullanar took him forth from the cage, and she took in her hand some water, with which she sprinkled him, saying to him, Quit this form, and assume the form in which thou wast! And her words were not ended when he shook, and became a man as he was before; and when his mother beheld him in his original form, she rose to him and embraced him, and he wept violently, as did also his maternal uncle Salih, and his grandmother Farasheh, and the daughters of his uncle; and they began to kiss his hands and his feet. Then Jullanar sent for the sheykh ‘Abd-Allah, and thanked him for his kind conduct to her son; and she married him (the sheykh) to the girl whom he had sent to her with the news of her son. So he took her as his wife; and Jullanar made him King of that city. And she summoned those people who remained of the inhabitants of the city, and made them vow allegiance to the shekyh ‘Abd-Allah, covenanting with them, and making them swear, that they would obey and serve him; and they said, We hear and obey.

  Then they bade farewell to the sheykh ‘Abd-Allah, and departed to their city; and when they entered their palace, the people of their city met them with the drums to celebrate the good news, and with rejoicing. They decorated the city for three days, on account of their exceeding joy at the arrival of their King Bedr Basim, rejoicing greatly at his return. And after that, the King Bedr Basim said to his mother, O my mother, it remaineth only that I marry, and that we all be united. So she replied, O my son, excellent is the idea that thou hast formed; but wait until we inquire for a person suitable to thee among the daughters of the Kings. And his grandmother Farasheh, and the daughters of his uncle, and his maternal uncle, said, We, O Bedr Basim, will all immediately assist thee to attain what thou desirest. Then each of those females arose, and went to search through the countries, and Jullanar of the Sea also sent her female servants upon the necks of the ‘Efrits, saying to them, Leave not a city, nor one of the palaces of the Kings, without attentively viewing all who are in it of the beautiful damsels. But when the King Bedr Basim saw the pains that they were taking in this affair, he said to his mother Jullanar, O my mother, leave this affair; for none will content me save Jawharah the daughter of the King Es-Semendel, since she is a jewel as her name importeth. So his mother replied, I know thy desire. She then sent immediately persons to bring to her the King Es-Semendel, and forthwith they brought him before her; whereupon she sent to Bedr Basim; and when he came, she acquainted him with the arrival of the King Es-Semendel. He therefore went in to him; and as soon as the King Es-Semendel saw him approaching, he rose to him and saluted him and welcomed him. Then the King Bedr Basim demanded of him in marriage his daughter Jawharah; and he replied, She is at thy service. And the King Es-Semendel sent some of his companions to his country, commanding them to bring his daughter Jawharah, and to inform her that her father was with the King Bedr Basim, the son of Jullanar of the Sea. So they flew through the air, and were absent awhile; after which they came back accompanied by the Queen Jawharah; who, when she beheld her father, advanced to him and embraced him. And he looked at her and said, O my daughter, Know that I have married thee to this magnanimous King, and bold lion, the King Bedr Basim, the son of the Queen Jullanar, and that he is the handsomest of the people of his age, and the most lovely of them, and the most exalted of them in dignity, and the most noble of them in rank: he is not suitable to any but thee, nor art thou suitable to any but him. And she replied, O my father, I cannot oppose thy wish: therefore do what thou wilt.

  So thereupon they summoned the Kadis and the witnesses, and they performed the ceremony of the contract of the marriage of the King Bedr Basim, the son of the Queen Jullanar of the Sea, to the Queen Jawharah. The people of the city decorated it, sent forth the announcers of the glad tidings, and released all who were in the prisons; and the King clothed the widows and the orphans, and conferred robes of honor upon the lords of the empire, and the emirs and other great men. Then they celebrated a grand festivity, made banquets, and continued the festivities evening and morning for a period of ten days. After this, the King Bedr Basim conferred a dress of honor upon the King Es-Semendel, and restored him to his country and his family and his relations; and they ceased not to pass the most delightful life, and the most agreeable days, eating and drinking, and enjoying themselves, until they were visited by the terminator of delights and the separator of companions.

  This is the end of their story.—The mercy of God be on them all!

  * * *

  12. Not a quarter of a carat out of the whole twenty-four.

  13. Barley-meal, made into a thin gruel.

  The Story of ‘Ala-ed-Din; or, The Wonderful Lamp

  In a large and rich city of China, there once lived a tailor, named Mustapha. He was very poor. He could hardly, by his daily labor, maintain himself and his family, which consisted only of his wife and a son.

  His son, who was called ‘Ala-ed-Di
n, was a very careless and lazy fellow. He was disobedient to his father and mother, and would go out early in the morning and stay out all day, playing in the streets and public places with idle children of his own age.

  When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father took him into his shop and taught him how to use a needle; but all Mustapha’s endeavors to keep his son to work were vain, for no sooner was his back turned than the boy was gone for the day. Mustapha chastised him, but ‘Ala-ed-Din clung to the habits he had formed and his father was forced to abandon him to his idleness; and this was such a grief to Mustapha that he fell sick and died in a few months.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din, who was now no longer restrained by the fear of a father, gave himself entirely over to his idle habits, and was never out of the streets. This course he followed till he was fifteen years old, without giving his mind to any useful pursuit or the least reflection on what would become of him. As he was one day playing, according to custom, in the street, with his bad companions, a stranger passing by stopped to observe him.

  This stranger was a sorcerer, known as the African magician. He had but two days before arrived from Africa, his native country.

  The African magician, seeing in ‘Ala-ed-Din’s countenance some thing which assured him that he was a fit boy for his purpose, inquired his name and history of his companions, and when he had learnt all he desired to know, went up to him, and, taking him aside from the other lads, said, Child, was not your father called Mustapha the tailor?

  Yes, sir, answered the boy; but he has been dead for many years.

  At these words the African magician threw his arms about ‘Ala-ed-Din’s neck and kissed him several times, with tears in his eyes, and said: I am your uncle. Your worthy father was my own brother. I knew you at first sight, you are so like him.

  Then he gave ‘Ala-ed-Din a handful of small money, saying, Go, my son, to your mother, give my love to her, and tell her I will visit her to-morrow, that I may see where my good brother lived so long, and ended his days.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din ran to his mother, overjoyed at the money his uncle had given him. Mother, said he, have I an uncle?

  No, child, replied his mother, you have no uncle by your father’s side or mine.

  I am just now come, said ‘Ala-ed-Din, from a man who says he is my uncle and my father’s brother. He cried and kissed me when I told him my father was dead, and gave me money, sending his love to you, and promising to come to pay you a visit, that he may see the house my father lived and died in.

  Indeed, child, replied the mother, your father had no brother, nor have you an uncle.

  The next day the magician found ‘Ala-ed-Din playing in another part of town, and, embracing him as before, put two pieces of gold into his hand and said to him: Carry this, child, to your mother. Tell her that I will come to see her to-night, and bid her get us something for supper; but first show me the house where you live.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din showed the African magician the house and carried the two pieces of gold to his mother, who went out and bought provisions; and considering she wanted various utensils, borrowed them of her neighbors. She spent the whole day in preparing the supper; and at night, when it was ready, said to her son: Perhaps the stranger knows not how to find our house. Go and bring him, if you meet him.

  ‘Ala-ed-Din was just ready to go when the magician knocked at the door and came in loaded with all sorts of fruits, which he brought for a dessert. After he had given what he brought into ‘Ala-ed-Din’s hands, he saluted the boy’s mother and began to talk with her. My good sister, said he, do not be surprised at your never having seen me all the time you have been married to my brother Mustapha of happy memory. I have been forty years absent from this country, and during that time have traveled into the Indies, Persia, Arabia, and Syria, and afterward crossed over into Africa, where I took up my abode. At last, as is natural, I was desirous to see my native country again, and to embrace my dear brother; and finding I had strength enough to undertake so long a journey, I made the necessary preparations, and set out. Nothing ever afflicted me so much as hearing of my brother’s death. But God be praised for all things! It is a comfort for me to find, as it were, my brother in a son, who has almost the same features.

  The African magician, perceiving that the widow wept at the remembrance of her husband, changed the conversation, and turning toward her son, asked him: What business do you follow? Are you in any trade?

  At this question the youth hung his head, and was not a little abashed when his mother answered: ‘Ala-ed-Din is a lazy fellow. His father, when alive, strove all he could to teach him his trade, but could not succeed; and since his death, notwithstanding all I can say to him, he does nothing but idle away his time in the streets, as you saw him, without considering he is no longer a child; and if you do not make him ashamed of it, I despair of his ever coming to any good. For my part I am resolved, one of these days, to turn him out of doors and let him provide for himself.

  After these words, ‘Ala-ed-Din’s mother burst into tears, and the magician said: This is not well, nephew. You must think of helping yourself and getting your livelihood. There are many sorts of trades. Perhaps you do not like your father’s, and would prefer another. I will endeavor to help you. If you have no mind to learn any handicraft, I will take a shop for you, and furnish it with all sorts of fine stuffs and linens. Tell me freely what you think of my proposal. You shall always find me ready to keep my word.

  This plan just suited ‘Ala-ed-Din, who hated work. He told the magician he had a greater inclination to the business suggested than to any other, and that he should be much obliged to him for his kindness.

  Well, then, said the African magician, I will take you with me to-morrow, clothe you as handsomely as the best merchants in the city, and afterward we will open a shop as I mentioned.

  The widow, after his promises of kindness to her son, no longer doubted that the magician was her husband’s brother. She thanked him for his good intentions; and after having exhorted ‘Ala-ed-Din to render himself worthy of his uncle’s favor, served up supper, at which they talked of several indifferent matters; and then the magician went away.

  He came again the next day and took ‘Ala-ed-Din with him to a merchant, who sold all sorts of clothes for different ages and ranks ready made, and a variety of fine stuffs, and bade ‘Ala-ed-Din chose those he preferred, which he paid for.

  When ‘Ala-ed-Din found himself so handsomely equipped, he returned his uncle thanks, who thus addressed him, As you are soon to be a merchant, it is proper you should frequent these shops and be acquainted with them.

  He then showed him the largest and finest mosques, went with him to the khans where the merchants and travelers lodged, and afterward to the Sultan’s palace, and at last brought him to his own khan, where, meeting with some merchants he had become friendly with since his arrival, he gave them a treat, to make them and his pretended nephew acquainted.

  This entertainment lasted till night, when ‘Ala-ed-Din would have taken leave of his uncle to go home. The magician would not let him go by himself, but conducted him to his mother, who, as soon as she saw him so well dressed, was transported with joy, and bestowed a thousand blessings on the magician.

  Early the next morning the magician called again for ‘Ala-ed-Din and said he would take him to spend that day in the country, and on the next he would purchase the shop. He then led him out at one of the gates of the city, past some magnificent palaces, to each of which belonged beautiful gardens, into which anybody might enter. At every building he came to he asked ‘Ala-ed-Din if he did not think it fine.

  By this artifice the cunning magician led ‘Ala-ed-Din some way into the country; and as he meant to carry him farther, to execute his design, he pretended to be tired, and took an opportunity to sit down in one of the gardens, on the brink of a fountain of clear water, which discharged itself by the mouth of a bronze lion into a basin. Come, nephew, said he, you must be weary as well as I. Let us rest ourselves,
and we shall be better able to pursue our walk.

  The magician pulled from his girdle a handkerchief in which were cakes and fruit, and while they ate he exhorted his nephew to leave off bad company, and to seek that of wise and prudent men to improve by their conversation; for, said he, you will soon be at man’s estate, and you cannot too early begin to imitate their example.

  When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they got up and pursued their walk beyond the gardens and across the country.

  At last they arrived between two mountains of moderate height and equal size, divided by a narrow valley. This was the place where the magician intended to execute the design that had brought him from Africa to China. We will go no farther now, said he to ‘Ala-ed-Din; I will show you here some extraordinary things, which, when you have seen, you will thank me for; but while I prepare to strike a light, gather up all the loose dry sticks you can see to kindle a fire with.