In the ancient Sassanian empire, there was a great king who was known for his wisdom and strength, for his great armies and his courage as a warrior. His influence extended from Persia to China. He had two sons, Shahriyar and Shahzaman. Both the princes were courageous, wise and brave. Shahriyar inherited his father’s throne and kingdom. Shahzaman served his brother well, so he was made the king of the Great Tartary and lived in Samarkand.
One day, Shahriyar missed Shahzaman so much that he sent his Vazir with gifts to invite his brother. Unfortunately, Shahzaman found that his wife had been unfaithful to him and had killed her. So when he came, he was feeling very sad and depressed.
Shahriyar was very happy to meet his brother after so long, but could not discover the cause of his sorrow. He tried to keep him happy, feasting and hunting.
One day when Shahriyar was out hunting, Shahzaman, who had stayed back, saw that Shahriyar’s wife, the Queen, was as disloyal as his own wife had been. This made him feel that there was no reason for him to be unhappy since his brother who was having the same kind of a problem seemed to carry on with his life quite happily.
When Shahriyar saw the change in Shahzaman, he asked him the reason. After much persuasion, Shahzaman told him the truth about his own wife and about the Queen. Shahriyar was so angry that he punished the Queen and executed her.
Shahriyar took a vow that he would never trust any woman. He ordered his Vazir to bring him a new wife every day. The next morning, the Vazir was to put her to death. The Vazir protested, but finally he had to obey the King’s orders.
Every day a beautiful maiden became the King’s new wife and the next morning she was killed by the Vazir. The King’s subjects were very unhappy but there was nothing they could do except obey.
The Vazir had two beautiful daughters, Sherezade and Dinarzade. Sherezade, however, was very intelligent and wise. Sherezade saw her father return every day feeling unhappy. He had to kill the young women who were married to the king. “I have a plan, Father,” said Sherezade, “If you agree to it, then we can save the girls from death.”
The Vazir asked her what the plan was. “Marry me to the King,” said Sherezade, leaving her father stunned! “Child, how can I do that? I shall have to kill you!” said the shocked Vazir.
“No, you won’t, Father,” said Sherezade confidently, “I want Dinarzade to come there and sleep in the room next door. I will keep the King so interested that he will not ask you to kill me!”
No amount of persuasion or pleading helped the Vazir. Finally, with a heavy heart, he took his daughter one day to the King. The King was equally shocked. “Your own daughter? You will have to kill her. Do you know?” asked the King. The miserable Vazir bowed and said that this was his daughter’s decision.
The King married Sherezade. That night, Sherezade asked the King to let her sister sleep in the chamber near by. “It is my last wish, Sir,” she pleaded. And the King agreed. Just before dawn, Dinarzade called out to her sister, “Tell me one of your fascinating stories, Sherezade.”
So, Sherezade began a story. The King also was listening to it. But when the sun rose, the story had not finished. The King was interested and curious to know what happened in the story. He told the Vazir that he wished Sherezade to live another day, so that she might complete her story.
Sherezade’s stories always stopped in the morning leaving the King curious to know more. And so she lived another day…and another day…and another…to tell another story. This continued day after day till the King fell in love with her wisdom and beauty and her honesty. The Vazir was relieved that his daughter was safe and he did not have to kill anyone now! Sherezade’s courage and wisdom had saved the kingdom.
