On the first night
of her marriage to King Shahryar, Scheherazade began her tale:
Once upon a time, there was a wealthy merchant who traveled far and wide for his business.
Once upon a time, there was a wealthy merchant who traveled far and wide for his business.
One day, he set off on a long journey, carrying goods to trade in distant lands.
After many days of travel, he stopped in an oasis, where cool trees provided shade from the burning sun.
After many days of travel, he stopped in an oasis, where cool trees provided shade from the burning sun.
Feeling tired and hungry, he sat under a tree, ate some dates, and drank water from his flask.
When he finished, he casually threw the date pits to the ground.
But as soon as he did, the air around him changed. A loud roar echoed through the oasis, and suddenly, a towering genie appeared before him.
But as soon as he did, the air around him changed. A loud roar echoed through the oasis, and suddenly, a towering genie appeared before him.
The genie’s eyes burned with fury, and his voice thundered:
"You have committed a great crime, and now you must die!"
The merchant was terrified.
"You have committed a great crime, and now you must die!"
The merchant was terrified.
“What crime have I committed?” he asked.
"You threw date pits carelessly, and one of them struck my son in the eye, killing him!" The genie roared.
"You threw date pits carelessly, and one of them struck my son in the eye, killing him!" The genie roared.
"For that, I will take your life!"
The merchant fell to his knees, pleading for mercy.
The merchant fell to his knees, pleading for mercy.
“Please, mighty genie! I did not mean to harm anyone. It was an accident!”
But the genie was unmoved.
But the genie was unmoved.
"Prepare to die!" he declared, raising his sword.
Seeing no escape, the merchant accepted his fate.
Seeing no escape, the merchant accepted his fate.
“If I must die, then at least let me return home for one year,” he begged.
“I have family and debts to settle. After that, I promise to return to this spot, and you may take my life.”
The genie considered this for a moment, then agreed.
The genie considered this for a moment, then agreed.
"One year," he said. "But if you do not return, I will find you and kill you."
The merchant hurried home, settled his affairs, and said goodbye to his loved ones. When the year ended, he returned to the oasis, keeping his promise.
As he sat beneath the tree, waiting for the genie to appear, three old men approached, each with an incredible story of their own.
They offered to help him by telling their tales to the genie, hoping to soften its heart.
But would the genie listen? Would their stories be enough to save the merchant’s life?
To be continued…
Next, I’ll tell the stories of the three old men and what happens when the genie returns.
But would the genie listen? Would their stories be enough to save the merchant’s life?
To be continued…
Next, I’ll tell the stories of the three old men and what happens when the genie returns.
...