Reading Notes: Part A- Arabian Nights: The Sultan and the Fish

The Sultan and the Fish: Story source: The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H. J. Ford (1898).

 I chose a story from the Arabian Nights Unit. I have always loved Disney, so when I read the part about there being a rendition of Aladin, I was immediately drawn in. 

The Sultan and the fisherman go on a fishing trip, in hopes that the Sultan can see some of the magnificent fish that the fisherman has been catching. The Sultan simply said to him, "Throw your nets and catch fish." The fisherman did as he was told, and was hoping for the best, considering there were tons of fish circling around the waters. There were four different kinds of fish swimming in the water- white, red, blue and yellow. The fisherman caught one of each kind, totaling four fish. The fisherman was shocked! He had never caught such different fish, and never such beautiful fish before. He knew he would get a lot of money for this bizarre catch. 

The genius said these words: "Take these fish and carry them to the Sultan, who will give you more money for them than you have ever had in your life. You can come every day to fish in this lake, but be careful not to throw your nets more than once every day, otherwise some harm will happen to you. If you follow my advice carefully you will find it good." and struck the ground with his foot. When he struck the ground, a hole opened and he disappeared and the hole immediately closed. He took the fish to the Sultan, and the Sultan was astonished. The fisherman took the Sultan to the lake where he caught the fish, so he could see for himself. The Sultan wanted to fish alone, and ordered his vizir to tell the merchants he was sick until he returned. When he went to the lake, he came across the palace. The palace was filled with the most magnificent things, such as water fountains of gold lions whose water turned into diamonds and pearls. A sad young man whose bottom half was statue like- made of marble. He was very handsome, but sad, and said he did not want to live anymore. The Sultan begged him to share his story. The young man turned out to be The Young King of the Black Isles, and tells his story in the next unit. 

Illustration of The Young King of Black Isles: by H. J. Ford (1898)