Arabische Nächte

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

75699

Title

Arabische Nächte

Language

de

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A classic collection of tales from *One Thousand and One Nights*, featuring the legendary adventures of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, the romance of Prince Achmed and the Fairy Pari Banu, and the witty survival of Scheherazade. Rich with magic, moral lessons, and vibrant storytelling, this edition offers a timeless glimpse into a world of wonder and intrigue.

Summary up to 500 words

This volume presents a curated selection of beloved tales from the *Arabische Nächte* tradition, enriched by illustrations by Edmund Dulac. The collection is framed by the legendary story of Scheherazade, who captivates King Shahryar with her storytelling to delay her execution. As the tales unfold, she bears the king three children, securing her life and ending the cycle of vengeance. The narrative begins with the classic tale of Ali Baba, a poor woodcutter who discovers a hidden cave guarded by forty thieves. Using the magical phrase 'Sesam, öffne dich!', he accesses a treasure trove but must keep the secret from his envious brother, Cassim, and the cunning thief Chogia Husein, who disguises himself as a merchant. The family is saved by the cleverness of Ali Baba's wife, Morgiana. She identifies the thief by his refusal to use salt and ultimately kills him during a dance, revealing his hidden dagger. The story concludes with Ali Baba's wealth securing his lineage and the marriage of his son to Morgiana. Interwoven with this adventure is the romantic tale of Prince Achmed, who travels to the realm of the Fairies. There, he meets Pari Banu, a powerful spirit who reveals her supernatural knowledge of his past and future. She intervenes in his love life, altering the flight of an arrow to ensure he wins the hand of the Princess Nurunnihar, and eventually marries him herself, offering him a life of luxury and magical companionship. The prince eventually visits his grieving father, the Sultan, before returning to the fairy realm, illustrating the delicate balance between human duty and magical destiny. The collection culminates with the framing device of Scheherazade, who tells these stories to King Shahryar to delay her execution. As the tales reach their conclusion, she reveals she has borne the king three children, securing her life and bringing an end to the cycle of vengeance. The text is enriched by illustrations by Edmund Dulac and includes editor's notes correcting minor typographical errors found in the original print edition. The stories emphasize themes of greed, loyalty, wit, and the power of storytelling itself.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Folklore
• Fairy Tales