SHORT STORIES

1. Sheherazade and Shahriar

Many, many years ago, there was a large kingdom. The kingdom stretched all the way
from Persia to China. It then crossed the borders of China into India where the holy
Ganges flowed. For early four hundred years, this prosperous kingdom was ruled by a
royal dynasty.
The kingdom reached its zenith under a particular kind-hearted and just king who was
also an able administrator. This king had two sons. These young princes were named
Shahriar and Shahzaman. They loved each other very much. After some years, the just
king died of old age and soon enough, Shahriar, the elder son took up the throne. He
declared Shahzaman to be the king of great territory which was an area of the Persian
Empire.
In due time, Sultan Shahriar took a beautiful woman to be his Sultana. He decked her
up in the choicest of precious jewels. He loved his Sultana more than his own life. But
after some years Sultan Shahriar came to know that his wife had been unfaithful to
him. She was also a very disloyal woman. As he was a just king like his own father, he
followed the just way. So he sentenced his wife to death as was the custom of the
land. He ordered his Wazir to carry out this cruel task.
For many days after that, the Sultan mourned of his wife. Then, in his anger, he
decided that all women of the world are disloyal. To avenge himself, he started a cruel
practice. Everyday he wed a new girl and put her to death the next morning. Each time
the Wazir was appointed for this task and he had to obey the Sultan's order halfheartedly. All the citizens of the Sultan's kingdom were angry and grieved with this.
One day, the Wazir's elder daughter Sheherazade said, "Father, the Sultan's cruel ritual
is not liked by anyone. I think I can put an end to it."
"Dear, that would be wonderful! All of the women and even the people of the city will
be ever grateful to you. But how will you do this?" asked the Wazir.
"By marrying the Sultan." Sheherazade declared. The Wazir was shocked. Then tears
welled up in his eyes. "Dear daughter, you know what fate awaits you the morning
after the wedding. I can't kill my daughter with my own hands."
But Sheherazade persisted and the Wazir gave in though with a heavy heart. The
Wazir went to the Sultan and told him that his daughter wished to be his wife. The
Sultan was surprised but agreed to the marriage because he knew Sheherazade was a
very beautiful girl.

The next day, the Sultan married Sheherazade in grand fan fare. As a gift in marriage,
Sheherazade asked her father to let her sister Dinarzade accompany her to the palace.
At night, Sheherazade addressed Dinarzade, "Dear sister, I'll ask the Sultan to let you
stay with me tonight. Just before dawn, you must wake me up and ask me to tell you a
story. Then I'll start my plan."
"But how will that save your life?" asked Dinarzade.
"Just wait and see," said Sheherazade with a smile.
When the Sultan came, Sheherazade said, "Your Majesty! tonight is the last night of
my life. I request you to let my dear sister Dinarzade, sleep with me."
The Sultan agreed. Early before dawn, Dinarzade woke up Sheherazade and said,
"Dear sister, one last time will you tell me one of those fascinating stories you know?"
"A story," exclaimed the Sultan.
"Yes, I know many stories. Please let me tell a story as my last wish." the Sultan
agreed again.
Sheherazade then started telling stories which went on for one thousand and one
nights. They were so interesting that the Sultan could not kill his wife before learning
what happened next.
Thus, the clever Sheherazade began her story.
2. The Merchant and The Genie
Once upon a time, a very rich merchant lived in a city. He had a loving family and had
all necessities of life provided for. Many a time, he left home to visit other kingdoms
to spread his business and make new contacts.
Once when he was to cross a desert to reach a far off town, he started early from
home. He carried some water, dates and dry fruits to eat on the way. He went to the
town and did great business. Then he returned home eagerly.
On the way, in the desert, he felt very tired because it was noon. He saw an oasis
nearby and went to it. There he washed his face, had some fresh water and sat down to
rest under the shade of a palm tree. He took out some dates that he was carrying and
started eating them. While eating the dates he started throwing stones here and there
and was looking for better shelter. Finally he got up and went to the pond to wash his
hands.
Just then he saw a fierce-looking large genie running to him. He held a shining sword
in his hand that he held high as if to strike. Soon enough the genie stood in front of the

merchant. The genie roared, "You are going to be dead soon. I'll kill you as you dared
to kill my only son!"
"What! I killed your son," the merchant said in a shaky voice. "Yes. When you threw
the stones, that hit my son's head and he was dead," the genie said.
"I am sorry, sir, I didn't mean to harm your son. Please be kind and merciful!" the
merchant begged.
"I will hear none of your pleas. You'll be dead just as my son is. I will kill you right
now." With these words, the genie pulled the merchant to the ground. He lifted his
hand to strike the merchant.
Then the merchant said, "Sir, you may do what you want to but please do fulfil my
last wish."
"Alright, what is your last wish?" the genie asked. The merchant replied.
"Let me go to the city to meet my family for the last time. I'll go to the city, clear all
my debts and dues, arrange some money for my family's future life and give alms to
the poor so that I get a seat in heaven after my death."
"Oh! That's a lot you ask for. And how long do you need for that?" the genie enquired.
"Sir, I'll need at least a year for all this. I promise that exactly a year from today. I'll
meet you right here on the same spot. Then you can kill me to avenge your son's
death," said the merchant.
The genie grew thoughtful. Then he said, "But remember if you are not here twelve
months after today, you'll die even a crueller death which I've set for you."
The merchant bowed in agreement. Then he hastened to reach the city. He walked on
for three days and finally reached his home. Once there he met his family and told
them about what happened in the desert. The family could not bear to think of parting
from him. They wept bitterly but the merchant said that he would have to keep the
promise a year later.
Next day, the merchant woke up early and soon got busy setting his business affairs.
He met a lawyer and made a will. He gave all the dues to the other merchants. He
gave food, clothes and dinars to the poor and needy. He spent a lot of time with his
family.

Soon enough a year passed. Then the day dawned when the merchant was to meet the
genie in the desert. He bid a tearful farewell to his wife and children. He then
proceeded towards the desert with tears in his eyes.
The merchant reached the oasis. There he waited on the spot here he had last seen the
genie. As he waited anxiously, he saw old man approaching him. The old men lead a
hind. He came to the merchant and said, "Hello, what are you doing here all alone?
Aren't you afraid of the genie that resides in these places?"
The merchant greeted the old man. Then he told him his sad story. The old man was
curious to see the genie so he decided to stay and ait with the merchant. A while later
the merchant saw another old man approaching them. This old man was leading two
black dogs. The old man with the dogs reached them and said, "Hello, others! What
makes you sit here in the afternoon sun?"
The old man with the hind narrated the merchant's sad tale. The old man with the dogs
thought a while. Then he said, "I'll stay and watch the encounter between our brother
here and the wicked genie." Saying so, he, too, sat down with the merchant to wait for
the genie's arrival. Half an hour later, a fourth old man came to the spot. He, too,
enquired what the three of them were waiting for. When he heard the merchant's tale
and the genie's condition, he, too, sat down to see what would happen.
A few minutes later, there was a loud thunder and the genie appeared before them
from a cloud of smoke. His fiery red eyes and sword in his hand showed how angry
and eager he was to kill the merchant. He' went to the merchant and threw him to the
ground.

So you are here!" he roared. "Your time has come at last!" With these words, the
genie lifted his hand high up in the air to strike merchants head with the sword.
All the old men shook with fear and then started weeping with grief at the merchant's
fate. Then the old man with the hind addressed the genie. "Oh! Genie, I bow before
your power. Please hear my plea."
What do you want, old man?" the genie asked in an angry voice. Please listen to my
story. If you find it more wonderful and rising than that of the merchant, you'll have to
spare a third of merchant's life."
The genie was angry but he grew curious to listen to the old man's. The old man with
the hind then told his tale.

3. The Old Man with The Hind

I live in a town far away from your kingdom. I married and got myself a beautiful
wife. Many years passed but we didn't have any children. I had a slave woman who
had served me loyally for many years. I decided to adopt her child as my own. I soon
declared him to be my heir and he became my son after the official and religious
formalities. Soon enough the child grew to be healthy and strong. He was an
intelligent boy at the age of ten.
One day I had to leave town on a long journey. I had some business contacts to make.
So I left my adopted son and the slave woman at my home. I instructed my wife to
take care of their needs till I returned.
In my absence, some ill-hearted person taught my wife the power of black magic. In
her jealous state of mind, my wife decided to get rid of my adopted son and his
mother. She chanted some evil words and soon transformed my ten-year-old son into a
calf. She led this calf to my housekeeper. She told him that she had bought the healthy
calf at a high price and it should be taken care of. Then my wife chanted more evil
words and changed the slave woman into a cow. This cow she again gave to the
housekeeper to take care of.
After nearly a year I came back home. After taking refreshments and resting a while, I
enquired about my son and his mother, the slave woman. At this my wife bowed her
head in grief. She said, "Dear, I am sorry to say that the slave woman died a few days
after you left. She fell ill and couldn't be cured. As for your adopted son, he went out
to play about two months ago and has not returned yet. He is nowhere to be found."
My heart was filled with sadness on hearing about the slave woman's death. But I took
courage that my son was alive. I decided to search for my son. I went around the town
enquiring about him but found no success. Nearly eight months went by. Soon the
festival of Bairam came. As is the custom, I was to sacrifice a cow as a religious
ritual. I called my housekeeper and ordered him to fetch a cow for sacrifice. Soon the
housekeeper brought a cow to me. As I was about to slay it, the cow started lowing
sadly. I soon noticed that tears were rolling down from her eyes. I felt pity for the poor
cow so I asked the housekeeper to lead the cow away.
Then my wife asked, Why are you not killing the cow?" What will you sacrifice if
you let her go?"
So I called the housekeeper back. He brought the cow with him. Once again I was
moved by the tears that the cow shed. I then ordered the housekeeper to lead away the
cow and sacrifice her for me. The cow was slain but when the housekeeper cut open
its body, he found no flesh in it. It was just a cluster of bones. The healthy cow
yielded nothing but bones so I was worried. So I said, "Dear housekeeper, why don't
you keep the cow for yourself? Now fetch me a healthy, strong calf to sacrifice."

Moments later, the housekeeper fetched a calf to me. I did not know that the calf was
actually my son. The calf ran from the housekeeper and came straight to me. The calf
lay himself at my feet as if begging for mercy. I felt pity and let the calf go. So I said
to the housekeeper, "Take this calf away. Take good care of it. Can you get me some
other calf?"
The housekeeper said YES and went away with the calf to replace it. Some minutes
later my wife came to me in anger. "Oh! Just what are you up to? You sent away the
cow and now the calf too. What on earth will you sacrifice for Bairam?
I said, "Whatever comes I'll not kill this innocent animal. Let it be alive."
Next morning as I was sitting alone, the housekeeper came to me. He said, "Sir, I
bring some good news and some bad news for you."
"What is it, tell me now?" I said eagerly.
Sir, yesterday as I was taking the calf to the shed, my daughter saw it. She was happy
to see it first and then tears welled up in her eyes. She knows black magic so I knew
she must have chanced upon something about the calf. On enquiry, she told me that
the calf was actually your son. The cow I sacrificed for you yesterday as the slave
woman whom your wife has transformed through black magic. She said that your
wife hated them and so she carried out this evil taste."
But why had she first smiled and then shed tears?" I asked in a socked voice.
She had smiled to see your son was living but she had started carrying because his
mother, the cow, had been sacrificed."
I felt very grieved. Then I felt angry at my wife's evil doings. I went to the
housekeeper's daughter. I pleaded her to change the calf back into my young son by
the power of black magic that she knew. Oh! What joy it would be to embrace my son
in flesh and blood.
But the housekeeper's daughter said, "Sir, I'll change the calf back into your son. As a
reward you must let me be his bride. The second condition is that you'll not stop me
from teaching your evil wife a lesson."
I agreed to both the conditions and soon I embraced my son tearfully. Just when the
housekeeper's daughter was about to punish my wife, I said, "I think you should not
be harsh. Don't kill her if possible."
"Alright," she said. "But I'll still let her feel what her son went through as an animal."

So, uttering some magical chants, she changed my evil wife into a hind that you see
here. After many years, my son's wife passed way. In grief, he left home and has not
been found yet. So I am going round the world leading my hind, looking for my lost
son. Now, Oh! Genie, whose story is more amazing the merchant's or mine."
The old man's story had indeed been fascinating. So the genie agreed to grant a third
of the merchant's life. Now the old man the hind sat aside. Minutes later, the old man
with the two black dogs got up and said, "Oh! Genie, if you thought that story so
rising, wait till you hear mine. But promise me a third of the merchant's punishment
would be spared."
Genie agreed to this and then the old man with the two black s began his story.
4. The Old Man with Two Black Dogs
Long time back, ours was a happy and prosperous family. We were three brothers who
loved each other very much. In due time, our old father became very ill. He left for
heaven and willed each of us a thousand gold dinars. We were clever so we invested
in various shops and soon became well-to-do merchants.
One day my eldest brother had the idea of expanding his trade connections in other
kingdoms. He decided to travel to other lands across the sea for this purpose. He then
sold all his shops, luxury items and the house to get some money. For buying a variety
of goods, he set sail in a beautiful trade ship. Nearly a year went by, but we heard
nothing from him.
One afternoon, as I sat fanning myself at the shop, a beggar approached me. He was
looking very weak. He was barely covered in tattered clothes. I picked a silver coin
from my pocket and gave it to him. Seeing this, the poor beggar burst out in tears.
"Oh! What fate!" he cried bitterly. "A brother is giving another alms in pity."
I gave him a second look. Suddenly I recognised him to be my eldest brother. I
consoled him and took him home. After a warm bath and some delicious hot lunch,
my brother told me his sad tale. He said that he could not earn as much as he had
invested in his new ventures. The heavy losses had made him poor and he had reached
back home with great difficulty. I had by then earned two thousand gold dinars in my
business so I gave one thousand gold dinars to my eldest brother. I encouraged him to
start a new business.
Some months later, my second brother decided to seek foreign lands to expand his
business. I narrated our eldest brother's example to him but he insisted on going for
trading overseas. He soon joined a caravan that was ready to leave for a foreign land.
He, too, went with many hopes and a lot of goods. For a year, I heard no news of his

business ventures. When a year went by, one fine morning he arrived at my doorstep
much in the same state as my elder brother. He told me that his caravan had been
looted by bandits and he lost everything.
Once again I lent my thousand dinars to my other brother too. He was happy to begin
his business again. Soon both my brothers did well in their ventures and prospered.
We lived happily and together again.
One fine morning, both my brothers came to me and said, "Brother, all three of us
must go on a long journey to expand our business. We'll trade together and amass
wealth."
I refused because I had seen my brothers becoming penniless after such adventurous
business trips. But they persisted. After refusing their request for nearly five years, I
gave in. After making necessary arrangements, the three of us bought grand goods to
sell. My brothers spent all their money to buy the goods. I, thus, took six thousand
dinars that I had and gave them a thousand dinars each. I kept one thousand dinars for
my use. Then I dug a safe hole in my house and buried the three thousand dinars that I
was left with. Then we loaded the goods on a large ship and set sail.
Nearly two months after sailing, we anchored at a port. We made a lot of money by
trading there. When we got ready to leave, a beautiful but poor woman approached
me. She bowed to me and kissed my hand. Then she said, "Sir, please be kind enough
to accept me as your wife. I have nobody to care for me and nowhere to stay."
I was taken aback. I said, "Dear woman, I don't even know you. How can you expect
me to marry a stranger?"
The woman pleaded tearfully and persuaded me to take her as my wife. She promised
to be loyal and loving and soon we were married after the required arrangements were
made.
As we set sail, she took on the role of a caring wife. She was soft-spoken, hard
working and always ready to serve me or help my brothers. I was very happy to have
her as a wife. My happiness was not favoured by my brothers who grew jealous day
by day. Their resentment took shape of a plot to kill me and my wife.
Thus, one night, as my wife and I were in deep sleep, my two brothers threw us
aboard. My wife who was a fairy used her powers to save both of us. Soon I found
ourselves on an island. Then my wife said, "Dear, I am a fairy. I married you for I saw
a kind-hearted man who would be a fit husband for me. You have taken good care of
me but I am very hurt and angry at the way your ungrateful brothers have treated you.
I'll punish them by sinking their ship."

I was horrified. "Please don't do that. After all they are my brothers. Let's forgive and
forget." But nothing could stop my angry fairy wife. She declared that her fury would
end only after she avenged herself. Then she chanted some magic words! I stood
before my house in my hometown. My fairy wife was by my side. I opened the door
to welcome her into her new home. I saw two sinister black dogs just inside the door. I
was surprised.
"Dear, I don't know where these black dogs came from. I never had any pets either." I
explained.
"I know, dear," my fairy wife said. "These black dogs are your own ungrateful
brothers. I changed them into the black dogs to punish them. Now you can treat them
anyway you wish. I must take your leave now. The spell cast by me will last for ten
years. You can contact me after that time."
My fairy wife told me where her home was and vanished into thin air. Now ten years
have passed. I am leading the black dogs in search of my fairy wife.
"Now, Oh! Genie, you must not have ever heard of such a wonderous, unbelievable
tale. I ask you to grant a third of the merchant's life in return of this tale."
The genie agreed again. Then the third old man said, "I'll tell you a stranger and
fantastic story of all." He then told such a tale full of unbelievable events and
wonderous magic that the genie declared to spare a third of the merchant's
punishment. Thus, the genie departed. The merchant and the three men then went on
their journeys.
The merchant reached home and was received happily by his family. Then he told the
strange tale of how he was freed
Hindbad was a hardworking but poor porter. He lived in Baghdad and earned his
living by carrying various packages to given addresses. All his toil from early
morning till late at night earned him just enough to get by. He was very bitter about
his condition.
One day as he was carrying a large package to a far away place he felt very tired. He
saw a shady tree outside the door of a large mansion. As he rested under the tree for a
while, he heard a lot of voices and laughter coming from the open windows.
5. The Sailor Sinbad
Hindbad turned to see and there was a guard who stood by the doorway. Hindbad
enquired, "What's going on in this house? Who lives here?" To this the guard said,
"Oh! Don't you know? This is Sindbad the sailor's mansion. He is the one who has
been around the world on voyages."

"So, Sindbad lives here. I've heard much about him. But what difference does it make.
The rich enjoys comfortable and lives in luxurious mansions while the poor works
hard all day for a piece of bread. Oh! it's not fair at all." With these words, Hindbad
burst into tears. He started wailing loudly.
Just then his loud cries reached indoors. Sindbad called the guard to enquire who was
crying at his door. The guard told him about Hindbad and why he was crying. Sindbad
felt pity on hearing about Sindbad. He asked the guard to fetch Hindbad inside.
Hindbad went into the mansion reluctantly. He greeted Sindbad and said, I am sorry
to disturb you, sir. You must be angry. Please permit me to leave. I have to go to
deliver a package outside the town."
Sindbad smiled and said, "My friend, do not worry. Join me and take some food. You
can stay and enjoy yourself here. My servants will deliver the package to the address."
Hindbad relaxed a little and Sindbad offered him a plate full of delicious food. As he
ate, Hindbad observed his surroundings. He saw articles of costly furniture, silk
curtains, fancy chandeliers and food in silver plates on the table. Sindbad himself was
an old man with a long white beard yet a handsome and charming personality for his
age. Even the guests around him were richly personality for his age. Even the guests
around him were richly attired and were enjoying themselves. Then Sindbad
addressed his guests, "Friends, many of you may think that I was born rich and had all
the luxuries provided by my parents. But this is not true. What you see all around you
is the result of my hard work and many trials and troubles that I faced in the seven
voyages I took up in my lifetime. Please take your seats and if you want I'll tell you all
about my adventurous voyages."
There was a murmur of agreement and all the guests took their seats. Hindbad, too,
got eager to hear Sindbad, the sailor's story to success.
6. The First Voyage
My father passed away when I was still a young boy. He left behind considerable
wealth. Like all young boys, I was thrilled to get so much wealth. I enjoyed myself
with my friends. I drank good wines, visited the best places for food and spent my
money buying fine silk garments and luxury items. I enjoyed all this for nearly a year
but then I got into a routine. I dislike the same old friends, the same parties all over
every day. I wanted a change in life.
One day, I took some money and bought some goods which I decided to trade. For
this, I made contacts with a group of merchants who travelled from port to port in
their merchant ship. One fine day, I set sail in a merchant ship carrying my goods to
Indian Ocean.

As we sailed on, we did not see land anywhere for days. One morning we discovered
an island. It was a deserted island. No vegetation grew there and we found no signs of
humans or animals whatsoever. We explored it and were returning to our ship when
there was a loud rumble and the earth shook. It was an earthquake. The merchants on
the ship sent some boats to us who were exploring the island. All of us scrambled to
the boats. But Alas! Just as I was about to get into a boat, there was a huge sea wave,
the earth shook once more and the island sank into the sea. All of my friends were safe
on the boats and had reached the ship while I was left in the rough sea waters. When I
looked around, I realized that we had mistaken the back of a giant whale to be an
island. When it went into water, we had thought there was an earthquake.
I tried to swim to save myself. The merchants in the ship took me to be dead and soon
the ship set sail and went away. I saw a log floating by and clung to it till I reached a
tiny island. I lay on the beach of the island for a while. Then I got up to explore the
island. I found some wild fruit trees. I took some fruits to feed myself and walked on.
I came to an opening where I saw a large green meadow. A horse was grazing there.
As I approached the horse, a came to me and asked, "Who are you, my friend?
I replied, "I am Sindbad, the sailor." Then I told him my tale.
The man introduced himself, "King Mihrage is the owner of this and I work as a
stable groom for him. Let's go to meet him."
I went with the stable groom to King Mihrage's palace. There he, too, heard my tale
and said, "You are our guest, Sindbad. Stay here for as long as you want to."
I stayed in the palace and had a luxurious life. I went around exploring the other
nearby islands. On one island, a ghost resided. All night long I could hear him beating
drums. Then one day as I was sitting on the beach I saw fish in the sea waters. They
were no ordinary fish. Each one was nearly a hundred and twenty feet in length.
On King Mihrage's island, I befriended many merchants. Once when I was on the
islands port, I watched the merchant ships anchored there. I happened to see packages
of goods that were addressed in my name. I realised they were the goods I had carried
in the ship that had left without me. I looked around carefully and to my joyful
surprise, I saw the merchant ship. I went onto the ship and surely there were my
merchant friends. They welcomed me with open arms. They were happy to learn that I
was alive. Then the Captain gave me tea and refreshments. He invited me to join him
and the merchants again. He told me that the ship would set sail that evening.
I left the ship and rushed to the palace. There I informed King Mihrage of my good
luck at finding the merchant ship. I took his leave. He was sad to let me go but I made
him happy when I gave him gifts. The gifts were my goods that I had found in the

ship and at the port. I then bought some goods from the islanders and loaded with the
ship that took me back to Baghdad.
In Baghdad, I sold the exclusive goods from the islands at a great price. I made a lot
of money. Then I bought a large mansion with luxurious interiors. I saved some
wealth for the future and enjoyed myself for a few years."
Then Sindbad turned to his guests and said, "So, my friends, that was the tale of my
first voyage. All of you and my dear friend, Hindbad, too, must come for a feast
tomorrow evening. Then I'll tell you about my second voyage."
As the guests left, Sindbad called Hindbad and gave him a hundred gold coins as a
goodwill gift. Hindbad was joyous to receive so much money. He thanked Sindbad for
his generosity and promised to come the next evening.
7. The Second Voyage
Next evening Sindbad, the sailor received Hindbad and the other guests. After a
delicious feast, the guests were eager to hear of Sindbad's second voyage. So Sindbad
began his story :
After a few years, I again grew tired of an easy lifestyle. I met another group of
merchants. I bought some goods and went with them on their ship. During the trip, we
visited many ports and I had good trade that fetched me good money.
One fine morning we anchored near a deserted island. Some of the merchants and I
got off the ship and went ashore. We found some juicy fruits there which we ate to our
heart's content. Then the merchants decided to sleep under the shady trees but I
decided to sleep behind a large rock that was a little farther from the others. So I went
there and slept alone. I woke up hours later and felt refreshed. But as I looked around
I saw that my friends were nowhere to be seen. They had woken up, boarded the ship
and sailed away.
Once again, I was left alone on an island. In desperation I tried to go round the island
to find someone though I knew it was a deserted island. As I was walking in the sands,
I saw a large, white, rounded rock. I thought of climbing it to look around but as I
tried to climb it, I slipped back down. It was a truly smooth rock indeed. As I was
trying to climb the rock, it suddenly grew dark. I looked up to see if a cloud had
covered the sun. But, to my surprise, I looked up to see a giant rock. It was a huge
bird indeed.
At once I realized that the rock I was trying to climb was in fact the giant rock's egg.
Actually, I myself was in its huge nest. I hid in the shadow of the egg to escape the
rock. But, as luck would have it, the giant bird came and sat on the egg to hatch it. I
spent the night in great contemplation. In the morning, I knew the bird would fly off

in search of food. I untied my turban and tied its one end to the giant bird's leg while
the other end I wound round my waist. At dawn when the giant rock took flight I was
carried along.
The giant rock flew over islands and hills. At last it landed on an island. I took the
chance to untie my turban's end from the bird's leg. Then I looked around and felt
even more miserable than before for I found myself in a rocky valley surrounded by
very high mountains. Then I saw the rock flying away with a snake in its beak.
As I walked around, I realized that I was actually tredding on diamonds. They were
lying around and were of various sizes. They were as small as my finger nail and
some were larger than even my head. I noticed a hissing sound from rocks and I
understood that deadly snakes were hiding behind the rocks. All at once, I
remembered the tales that my merchant friends had told me. Where I was standing
was the well-known Valley of Diamonds. It attracted many people from the world
over who collected diamonds and then sold them in their countries. I, too, picked
some rocks which were actually diamonds. I filled my pockets with the small ones
and the large ones I kept in a bag that hung from my waist. I realized it was getting
dark, so I found an empty cave for myself. There I got in and shut the entrance with a
huge rock to prevent any snakes from entering. I spent a restful night. I woke up at the
dawn.
When I came out of the cave, I noticed large chunks of meat lying all around. I
realized that they were thrown by diamond collectors who were afraid to come down
to the valley for they were scared of snakes. They threw the chunks of meat to which
the diamonds stuck. When huge rock picked up the meat and carried them to their
nests, the diamond merchants would reach the nests and gather the diamonds. Once
again I untied my turban. This time I tied one of its ends to a chunk of meat and the
other round my waist. When a huge rock flew off with the meat, I was carried away
too. Soon, enough I found myself in rocks nest.
A while later, I heard shouts and the rock flew off in fear. A diamond merchant
climbed up the tree to the nest. When he found me there, he was surprised and angry.
He thought that I was there to take his diamonds. But I claimed him down and told
him my story. He agreed to take me along to the nearest port. In gratitude, I gave him
a large diamond as a gift. I travelled a few days with my new friends and soon I
reached the port. There we parted ways when he took a ship to Balsora and I boarded
a ship to Baghdad.
I was happy to be back in Baghdad and gave alms to the poor and thanked Allah for
my safe arrival. I bought another luxurious mansion and spent my time enjoying my
wealth after selling the diamonds I had acquired."

Ending the story, Sindbad thanked his guests for being patient listeners. Once again he
invited all of them for a feast the next evening where he promised to narrate the tale of
his third voyage. He thanked Hindbad and invited him, too. Sindbad then presented
Hindbad with a hundred gold coins once more. Hindbad was happy beyond words.
8. The Third Voyage
Next evening after dinner, the guests and Hindbad sat around Sindbad to hear about
his wonderful tale of the third voyage which read.
When I returned from my second voyage and settled in Baghdad, I had no intention of
leaving Baghdad ever again but the desire to be on the move was not suppressed.
Once more I purchased some exclusive items to trade in and went on a trade ship with
some merchants.
A few days later, a storm broke out. It was severe that we had to drop anchor at an
island where the captain of our ship did not want to land. The captain gave us the
reason for his reluctance. He said that the island was home to two feet high dwarfs
who were fierce by nature. Their attacks would leave us powerless. If it wasn't for the
storm we wouldn't have stopped at the island. As ill luck would have it, we soon faced
the fierce dwarfs. These tiny men were covered with long, red hair. Even as we were
still in our ship on the harbour, hundreds of them entered the vessel. They were simply
involved in senseless destruction. They went around cutting the ship sails and
destroying some parts of the deck. Then they forced all of us to jump into water and
sailed away to a nearby island.
All of us somehow managed to swim ashore. There we saw a large palace with very
high ceiling-rooms. One of the large halls inside had a heap of human bones. A large
fire burnt in the fireplace with some glowing coals nearby. We even saw some
roasting iron rods. As we were looking at those fearfully, a huge dark giant walked in.
He was very tall indeed and had a fierce face with one red eye right in the middle of
his forehead. His long, sharp teeth sticking out of his mouth made him look fearsome
indeed. When we saw his long ears and sharp, long nails, all of us lost our senses.
When we regained consciousness, we were scared indeed. The large giant took our
captain in his palm, thrust an iron roasting rod through his stomach, held him over the
glowing coals to roast him and gobbled him up. Then the giant slept but his loud
snores all night long did not let us catch even a wink of sleep. He woke up in the
morning and left the palace. We, too, thought of leaving. As we went out of the palace
to escape, all we found were trees and large poisonous snakes. To escape the snakes,
we had to return to the palace. For many days, the giant ate one of us for dinner each
night. We all lived in fear.

One day as we were exploring the island once again, we found some woods that had
washed ashore. Using the woods, we made some rafts. When the rafts were ready, we
thought of a plan.
One night as the giant slept after his dinner, the remaining of us heated the iron
roasting rods. Then all of us thrusted the hot rod into the sleeping giant's eye and
blinded him. As the giant rushed out in pain, all of us ran to the rafts on the shore. As
we thought we were safe, just then the giant returned with other giants like himself.
They threw large rocks at the rafts and all the rafts sank but the raft on which I was
with two of my companions remains safe but we escaped with great difficulty.
After some days we reached another island where we went ashore and slept for hours.
When we woke up we saw a snake as long and as thick as a palm tree approaching us.
We ran to save our lives but one of my companions became the snake's prey. One of
my surviving companions climbed a tall tree to save himself. A while later, the huge
snake came and caught my companion, too. He ate him up but I survived because I
was hiding on the highest branch of the same tree. To keep myself safe at night, I built
a fence of prickly and thorny bush around the tree so when the snake came to get me
he could not harm me at all. After trying all night, the snake left at dawn.
I thought it would be better to commit suicide than meet a cruel death. I went to the
shore to jump into the sea. To my glee I saw an approaching trade ship. Soon the
captain of the ship saw me and lowered a boat to take me to the ship. The captain gave
me fresh clothes and hot food and heard my adventurous tale.
I soon befriended with other merchants on the ship. I felt that I had met the captain
somewhere but I could not recall. One day, as we were nearing a port, the captain
gave me some goods to sell there and make money. I looked at the packages which
bore the label, 'Sindbad, the Sailor. I asked the captain, where he had found the
package. He told me about Sindbad, the Sailor, who had been left behind on a
deserted island by mistake. Then I remembered and so did the captain recognise me.
He was the same captain and I was on the merchant ship I had sailed on my second
voyage. We hugged each other in joy.
At the port, I sold my goods and made a lot of money again. As we sailed on, I saw a
twelve yards long tortoise basking in the sun on an island. I also happened to see a
strange sea-creature that looked very much like a camel.
A few days later, I reached Baghdad and again had a lot of wealth to spend."
Then Sindbad said, "So friends, that was all about my third voyage. Tomorrow youre
invited to hear about my fourth voyage."

Hindbad received a hundred gold coins from Sindbad once again and left for home
happily. He and the guests returned the next day for a feast and an adventurous tale
once more.
9. The Fourth Voyage
Sindbad told of the fourth voyage.
"Once again a restful, luxurious life bored me. My wandering heart led me to take
another voyage on a merchant ship. Bad luck was our constant companion even as we
began the voyage. A while after our ship set sail, a storm drove it into rocks and our
ship broke. Many of my companions drowned. The survivors like me held on to a
rock till the high waves subsided and so were saved. We managed to hold on to some
woods from the shipwreck. We floated with the woods and soon reached an island.
There ill luck struck once again. Some Negroes who inhabited the island captured us.
They offered us some herbs to eat. I felt suspicious and did not eat them but my
hungry companions ate them. They started behaving like mad men. As they were not
in their senses, they could not do anything. The Negroes then offered my companions
some boiled rice. I ate some but my companions ate a lot. This went on for some days.
My companions grew fat day by day. One fine morning, the Negroes seized some of
my companions, cooked them in a large vessel and ate them up. They did not get me
for I was too thin.
One night I managed to escape and reached the shore. There I saw people gathering
pepper. I told them my tale and they took me to a nearby island. They introduced me
to their king. I lived in the kings palace as the royal guest. One day, I went around the
island. I observed that most people rode horses but none of them had saddles or
stirrups. I thought of gifting the king with these, so I got some leather to make them
such sets. When I gifted these to the king and told him of their advantage, he was very
happy and thankful. He said, "Sindbad, my friend, you've made riding such a
pleasure."
When the courtiers saw the Saddle, they as well as the subjects ordered for more to be
made. I got busy making more such items and earned some money. Then one day the
king called me and '''Sindbad, in return for all you've done I give a lady of my haram
in marriage to you.'"
I was not at all keen to marry anyone but I relented so as not to the king's feelings.
When the lady was introduced to me, I was speechless. She was indeed a very
beautiful woman and had a very sweet smile, too. She was soft spoken and humble. I
married her according to the rituals of the island and spent a happy life with her.
But as ill luck would have it, she fell sick a few months later. The severe illness
caused her death and I was very grieved. But more, misfortunes lay in store for me.
The island's custom was such that I was to be buried alive with my wife's dead body.

All my pleas for an exception were in vain. So it was that amidst a grand traditional
funeral ceremony my wife was buried. Alongside her grave was another in which I lay
down alive. Some food and drink enough for seven days was buried in the grave with
me. Once, the grave was shut with a heavy stone. There was darkness all around me
and desperation in my heart.
My grave was actually in a cave mountain. In desperation, I felt around in the
darkness to find some way to get out. I ate some of the food and drank left for me but,
after seven days, even that was finished and I had nothing to do but wait to meet
death.
As I lay there in silence, I heard a sound. It was as if some animal was rustling
around. I moved in the grave and tried to look around the cave. I seemed to see a
shape in the dark that moved away when I approached. I thought there must be a way
from where the animal had got in, which meant there was surely a way to get out.
With this hope in my heart, I followed the shadow at a distance. After about a quarter
of an hour of crawling in the dark cave, I saw a dim ray of light. It was coming in
through a crack in the rocky walls from which the creature had squeezed into the cave.
I went out through the crack with some difficulty and to my joy I found myself on a
deserted beach of the island.
I remembered that my wife had been buried with many precious ornaments and gems
adorning her body. I went back into the cave and reached my wife's coffin. I gathered
as many gems as I could and came out of the cave again. Perhaps God heard my
prayers so I saw a merchant ship heading for the beach. The captain saw me waving
cloth and took me up his ship. Then I told him how I happened to be on that Island.
When the ship docked at the next port, I traded my wife's gems for some goods which
I sold at the next port to make good money.
Soon the ship returned to Baghdad when a comfortable, wealthy life awaited me once
again." Sindbad sighed and said, "I had an adventurous fifth voyage about which you
will hear at the dinner table tomorrow."
The guests went off with a promise to come again. Sindbad bid a farewell to Hindbad
to whom he gifted a hundred gold coins once more.
10. The fifth Voyage
"My fifth voyage was made on a trade ship that I owned. Some merchants made them
ready to be my companions.
We soon set sail. After many days, we threw anchor at a deserted island. There I
discovered a roc's egg as I had seen on my second voyage. 1 showed it to my other
companions. One of them noticed it was about to hatch. He took his axe and asked the

others to break the roc's egg. I advised them not to do so but all in vain. They broke
the roc's egg, took the hatchelling, roasted it and ate it up.
Just as they finished eating the roc's egg, the parent birds flew in. We saw them from
far and all of us rushed to the ship in panic. In minutes, our ship was sailing on the sea
waters. But to our horror, we saw the rocs following our ship overhead. They held
huge rocks in their claws which they dropped on our ship. As the rocks hit the ship, it
broke into pieces and sank with all my companions on board. By sheer luck I survived
when large waves swept me on to the shores of an island.
On the island I rested for a while and then ate some wild fruits that grew there. As I
went around looking for some inhabitants on the island, I saw an old man sitting by a
stream. His hairs were long and a long beard covered his cheeks. He had a blank look
on his face. He looked weak and haggard. I approached him and asked him if I could
help him. He signed to me and asked to be lifted on my back to help him cross the
stream. I obliged but after a while he tightened his hold around my neck that I nearly
choked and fainted. When I regained consciousness, the old man was still clinging to
me. Then he signalled me to get up and walk to some fruit trees. I plucked the fruits
for him. Thus he ordered me around all the time, even when I slept. I realized my life
was in danger so I thought of finishing off the wicked old man.
I found some grapes when the old man was sleeping. I took their juice in a large
seashell and left it hidden under a small bush. A few days later, I tasted the juice and it
had turned into wine. I took the seashell full of wine before the old man. I sipped it
and exclaimed, "Ah! It's the sweetest wine I've ever tasted."
The wicked man signalled me to give him the remaining wine. He drank all of the
wine and was drunk senseless. Soon his hold on my back loosened and he set me free.
I quickly picked up a heavy stone and struck the old man's head and he fell down
dead.
Thus, rid of an evil man, I rushed to the shore. I saw some sailors there. They had
come ashore from their docked ship in search of some fruits. They saw me and asked
who I was. I told them all that I had gone through. Then one of them said, "Oh! You
are lucky to be alive. The man was called the old man of the sea who killed all people
he met."
The sailors took me to their captain who allowed me to sail with them. A few days
later, we landed on an island where a lot of coconuts grew. I gathered many coconuts
and asked the other sailors to do the same. I intended to trade them for goods on other
seaports. But we could not climb the tall coconut trees though we tried many a time. A
while later, I saw some monkeys on the coconut trees. I knew that monkeys always
copied others' actions. My companions and I collected some pebbles which we threw
at the monkeys. In reply, the monkeys threw many coconuts at us. We gladly collected

all the coconuts and took them to our ship. Once we reached the next port, I
exchanged the coconuts for some rare spices and shiny pearls.
When the ship reached Balsora and I arrived in Baghdad I sold the rare spices and
pearls at high prices and acquired a lot of money all over again. Then I settled for a
restful life. "
Sindbad finished his tale and bid farewell to his guests. But he reminded them to
come the next day to learn about his sixth voyage. Hindbad was very taken up by the
wonderful experiences of Sindbad the Sailor. He received a hundred gold coins
thankfully and left Sindbad's house. He eagerly awaited the next evening's feast.
11. The Sixth Voyage
"Before a year after my fifth voyage, I was on my sixth voyage, the longest of all my
voyages. As we set sail we had a calm sea. After some days the weather grew bad and
huge waves threatened to drown us.
One afternoon, the captain of the ship looked troubled. In desperation, he tore of his
turban and paced the deck. He told us that the ship was out of control and soon the
ship would crash into a high, rocky mountain. That would mean that we would all be
dead. As he had said in a quarter of an hour, our ship did crash into a huge mountain
and the ship was in smithers. Good luck and God's blessings saved all abroad. We
swam to a narrow strip of land at the foot of the mountain. We soon recovered some
food and goods from the shipwreck but it was not heartening news at all. We were
caught between a high, steep mountain and a raging sea.
We had divided the food equally amongst ourselves but we knew the food wouldn't
last long. My companions were worried and hopeless but I kept heart. I went to the
seashore everyday and gathered whatever swept over from our wrecked ship to the
shore. Once when I explored the mountains, I discovered hoards of diamonds, rubies
and pearls. I gathered some of them and kept in a safe place thinking of selling them if
I got out of the situation.
One fine morning, I discovered a cave. To my surprise, I saw a river that flew through
the cave from the sea to the land while as a rule, all rivers flew from land to the sea. I
did not tell about the river to anyone.
After a few days all my companions were dead as they had eaten off all their shares of
food. I had eaten a little food at a time and had some in store so I had managed to live.
As my store of food diminished I thought of the river which I had discovered. I
thought it would give me a path to escape. I went to the spot where I had gathered
pieces of wood from my ship. I made a raft out of the wood, took my precious hoard
of gems and some food and set sail on the raft. When I rowed into the cave, there was
complete darkness but I kept rowing in the darkness for some days. Some times I had

to lie on my back to go through the low roof of the cave. Soon my food stock was
finished and I grew weak from hunger. I lay back on my raft and was sure that I would
die.
I guess I must have slept off for many hours. I woke up to see daylight. I found myself
lying on a riverbank and my raft was floating away. 1 looked up to see some Negroes
looking down on me. The Negroes spoke to me in a language which 1 could not
understand. Then one of them spoke in Arabic. He said, "I know Arabic too. For many
of us lived in Arabia long ago. We found you floating on the raft when we came to dig
a canal here. How did you reach this place?"
I ate some of the food and drink that they offered me and told them of my recent
experiences. They asked me to tell my story to their king, too.
They took me to their king in Serendib which was the capital of their island. I was
given a warm welcome at the palace. After hearing my story, the king invited me to be
his royal guest as long as I wished to be. Out of gratitude I wanted to give one of my
gems to the king but he refused. He, instead, asked my permission so that he could
have my story written in gold lettered manuscript and to be kept in his treasury. I
agreed to this gladly.
One fine morning, the king's men took me to show around the island. I observed some
rare plants and very well cut precious stones. After some days, I had the urge to go
back to my country. On my request, he said that he would arrange for my trip to
Baghdad. He gave me a letter written on a leather piece with blue ink. The letter was
addressed to the ruler of Baghdad, the Caliph. It spoke of the king's love and respect
for the Caliph. The king of Serendib packed sweet-smelling wood, rare spices, a onefoot high ruby cup full of pearls and a snake skin with medicinal qualities to heal any
ailment as gifts for the Caliph. He also sent a beautiful slave woman decked in jewel
studded robes for the Caliph. I, too, received many rare gifts and soon set sail for
Baghdad.
In Baghdad, I delivered the letter and gifts from the King of Serendib to the Caliph of
Baghdad. I told the Caliph of how rich the King of Serendib was, who owned twenty
thousand diamond studded crowns and lived in a palace whose roof is decked with a
hundred thousand rubies. The Caliph of Baghdad was convinced of the King of
Serendib's wealth and was eager to hear about my adventures. After I had narrated my
story to the Caliph, he gifted me some precious jewels as a gift and so I settled for
some time in Baghdad once again before I went on my seventh and last voyage."
The guests and Hindbad were struck to hear Sindbad's tale. They were excited to hear
the last voyage's tale next evening. Hindbad left Sindbad's company richer by a
hundred gold coins.

12. The Seventh Voyage

"After my sixth voyage, I felt that I had enough of travel. I had decided to settle down
because I was much older now. But alas!
That was not to be.
One fine morning, a royal messenger knocked at my door. He told me that the Caliph
had asked for me. I went to the palace immediately. Once there the Caliph said, "Dear
Sindbad, you brought many great gifts from the wealthy King of Serendib. Now I
want you to take some gifts in return to him."
I said, "Sir, I am old now. I can't take much of sea travel any more."
But the Caliph insisted that I was the only person fit for the task. .~
"You can lead a restful life on your return. Moreover, I am giving you a thousand gold
coins for this voyage."
I accepted that proposal with great reluctance. So a few days later, I was on the sea
with the Caliph's ship and crewmen. I carried a letter from the Caliph to the King of
Serendib. Gold clothes, silk garments, emerald-studded pots and plates, two large,
finely carved royal beds and a rare tablet once possessed by King Solomon made up
the list of gifts I carried for the King of Serendib.
After a peaceful trip, I anchored at the port of Serendib. I delivered the letter and the
gifts to the king. He asked me to stay but I was eager to get back to Baghdad. So he
gave me a wonderful gift and bid me a tearful farewell. As my ship sailed away we
were attacked by pirates. They took hold of all our precious treasures and gifts and
then took all of us prisoners. They took us onto their ships and left us in a strange land
where they had sold all of us as slaves.
Due to God's blessings, I had a kind and rich merchant as my master. I served him
well as he treated me well. In time he learnt that I was good at shooting with a bow
and arrow. He asked me to accompany him to the forest. There he showed me a tall
tree and said, "Sindbad, go up the tree. Soon a herd of elephants will come by. You
must shoot as many as you can." With these instructions, he left me in the forest.
I passed the night waiting for the elephants but none came in sight at dawn. I heard
their trumpets from far. As they came under the tree, I took aim and hit the largest of
the herd. I let the herd pass and then climbed down the tree. I went and told my master
of my feat. He was very pleased to see that I had slain the tusked elephant. He said,
"These ivory tusks are of great value. Pull them out and bury the elephant in a large
pit."

My master helped me in that task. Then we went home with the tusks. Now I was sent
to the forest everyday and I killed many elephants for my master. In a few days, my
master became very rich by selling all the ivory he got from the dead elephants.
One day as I was sitting on a tall tree to wait for the elephants, they did arrive. But
this time all of them surrounded the tree and looked up at me. I thought that they had
revenge on their mind and I would be dead in minutes. One of the elephants uprooted
the tree I sat on, so I found myself lying on the ground. One of the elephant picked me
up by his trunk and placed me on his back. Then all the elephants followed him as he
walked on with me on his back. The elephant walked on to a hill side. There he put
me down on the ground using his trunk and walked away. I looked around to observe
many elephant bones and ivory tusks lying in heaps. It was an elephant's graveyard.
The elephants did not want me to kill them so they had brought me to their store of
ivory.
I started walking back to my master's house and it took me two days to reach there.
He was worried when he had seen the uprooted tree. I told him what had happened.
Then both of us went to the hillside and gathered a lot of ivory. On our way back, my
master said, "Dear Sindbad, I am glad for all that you've done for me. You are free
from today. I will give you a share of these valuable ivory. You can take them back to
Baghdad on the next ship that sets sail for Baghdad."
So the next day, my master put me on a ship to Baghdad with some ivory tusks. He
also gave me some other goods. I traded all these at the ports we stopped at on my
way back to Baghdad.
When my ship reached Baghdad, I went to the Caliph's palace and told him about my
new adventures. He, too, wished to record my story in gold letters. His manuscript
maker completed the task and I received some gifts from the Caliphs. At last, I settled
to a peaceful life in Baghdad."
Sindbad turned to Hindbad and said, "So Hindbad, now you know that I have gone
through much to lead a wealthy, comfortable and luxurious life at this age."
Hindbad agreed and said, "Yes, dear Sindbad, your troubles deserve the pleasures and
riches, you possess now. May you live for a hundred years more?"
Sindbad gave a hundred gold coins to Hindbad and said, "Hindbad, I'd like you to be
my best friend. Do not work as a porter any more. Come to meet me everyday."
So Hindbad became a dear friend and a regular visitor at Sindbad's mansion. Soon
kind Sindbad made Hindbad a rich man and Hindbad led a comfortable life to the end.

MORAL VALUES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Always think a clever ways to solve a problem.

Be a responsible person and alway fulfill a promise.
Dont hate and jealous to another person.
Dont waste all of your money and be an ungrateful person.
Always share what you have.