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She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when Buluqiya saw the serpents glorifying God and proclaiming His oneness, he was utterly astonished. When the serpents saw Buluqiya, they gathered around him, and one of them asked, “Who are you? Where have you come from? What is your name, and where are you bound?” He replied, “My name is Buluqiya, and I am one of the Children of Israel. I have set out wandering for love of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, and in search of him. But who are you, O noble creatures?” The serpents answered, “We are among the inhabitants of Hell. God Most High created us as a scourge for the unbelievers.” Buluqiya asked, “What has brought you to this place?” They replied, “Know, Buluqiya, that Hell, in the violence of its seething, breathes twice a year: once in winter and once in summer. Know, too, that the fiercest heat comes from the fury of its scorching breath. When it breathes out, it casts us from its belly, and when it draws breath, it takes us back.” Buluqiya asked, “Are there serpents in Hell greater than you?” They answered, “It is only because we are so small that its breathing casts us out. In Hell there are serpents so great that if the largest of us entered one of their nostrils, it would not feel us.” Buluqiya said, “You remember God and invoke blessings upon Muhammad. How do you know of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace?” They replied, “Buluqiya, the name of Muhammad is written upon the gate of Paradise. But for him, God would have created neither living creatures, nor Paradise nor Hell, nor heaven nor earth. God created all things only for the sake of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, and everywhere He has joined his name to His own. That is why we love Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace.”

When Buluqiya heard these words from the serpents, his love for Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, grew more ardent, and his longing for him increased. He bade them farewell and walked on until he reached the seashore, where he saw a ship lying at anchor beside the island. He went aboard with its passengers, and they set sail. They journeyed on until they reached another island, where he went ashore and wandered for a while. There he saw serpents, great and small, whose number none but God Most High could know. Among them was a white serpent, whiter than crystal, seated in a golden dish. The dish rested upon the back of a serpent as large as an elephant. That white serpent was the Queen of the Serpents, and she was I, O Hasib.

Then Hasib asked the Queen of the Serpents, “What passed between you and Buluqiya?” She replied, “Hasib, know that when I saw Buluqiya, I greeted him, and he returned my greeting. I asked him, ‘Who are you? What is your business? Where have you come from, and where are you going? What is your name?’ He replied, ‘I am one of the Children of Israel, and my name is Buluqiya. I am wandering for love of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, and in search of him, for I have read his description in the revealed scriptures.’ Then Buluqiya asked me, ‘What manner of creature are you? What is your station, and what are these serpents around you?’ I answered, ‘Buluqiya, I am the Queen of the Serpents. If you meet Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, convey my greetings to him.’ Then Buluqiya bade me farewell and boarded the ship, which brought him to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem there lived a man who had mastered all the sciences. He was accomplished in geometry, astronomy, arithmetic, occult arts, and the lore of spirits, and he read the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms, and the Scrolls of Abraham. His name was Affan. In one of his books he had found that whoever wore the ring of our lord Solomon would command humankind and jinn, birds and wild beasts, and all created things. He had also read in certain books that when our lord Solomon died, they laid him in a coffin and carried him across seven seas, with the ring still upon his finger. No human being or jinn could take that ring, nor could any shipmaster sail his vessel to that place.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and eighty-eighth night

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that Affan found in certain books that no human being or jinn could take the ring from the finger of our lord Solomon, nor could any shipmaster sail his vessel across the seven seas over which Solomon’s coffin had been carried. He also found in certain books that among the herbs there was one which, if a man took it, pressed out its juice, and anointed his feet with it, would allow him to walk across any sea God Most High had created without wetting his feet. Yet no one could obtain that herb unless the Queen of the Serpents was with him.

Now, when Buluqiya entered Jerusalem, he sat down in a place to worship God Most High. While he sat at his devotions, Affan approached and greeted him, and he returned the greeting. Affan saw that Buluqiya was reading the Torah as he sat worshipping God Most High, so he came closer and asked, “Sir, what is your name? Where have you come from, and where are you going?” He replied, “My name is Buluqiya, and I come from the city of Misr. I have set out wandering in search of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace.” Affan said to Buluqiya, “Come home with me, so that I may entertain you.” “Gladly and willingly,” he replied. Affan took Buluqiya by the hand, brought him home, and received him with the utmost hospitality. Then he said, “Tell me your story, my brother. How did you learn of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, so that your heart became bound to him in love and you set out in search of him? Who directed you to this path?” Buluqiya told him his story from beginning to end. When Affan heard it, he was so astonished that he nearly lost his wits. Then he said to Buluqiya, “Bring me to the Queen of the Serpents, and I shall bring you to Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, for the time of his coming is still far off. If we can secure the Queen of the Serpents, we shall put her in a cage and take her to the herbs that grow in the mountains. Every herb we pass with her beside us will speak, by the power of God Most High, and tell us its uses. For I have found in my books that among the herbs there is one which, if a man takes it, pounds it, extracts its juice, and anoints his feet with it, will let him walk across any sea God Most High has created without wetting his feet. Once we have the Queen of the Serpents, she will guide us to that herb. When we find it, we shall take it, pound it, and extract its juice, then let her go her way. We shall anoint our feet with the juice, cross the seven seas, reach the burial place of our lord Solomon, and take the ring from his finger. We shall rule as our lord Solomon ruled and achieve our purpose. After that, we shall enter the Sea of Darkness and drink the Water of Life. Then God will prolong our lives until the end of time, and we shall meet Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace.”

When Buluqiya heard these words from Affan, he said, “Affan, I shall bring you to the Queen of the Serpents and show you where she lives.” Affan rose and made himself an iron cage. He took two bowls with him, filling one with wine and the other with milk, and he and Buluqiya travelled for days and nights until they reached the island where the Queen of the Serpents lived. They went ashore and walked about the island. Then Affan set down the cage, fitted a trap inside it, and placed within it the two bowls filled with wine and milk. They withdrew from the cage and hid themselves for a while. The Queen of the Serpents came towards the cage until she drew near the bowls and examined them for a time. When she smelled the milk, she descended from the back of the serpent that bore her, slipped out of the dish, and entered the cage. She went to the bowl of wine and drank from it. As soon as she had drunk, her head swam and she fell asleep. Seeing this, Affan approached the cage and locked the Queen of the Serpents inside it. Then he and Buluqiya carried her away. When she awoke, she found herself in an iron cage, carried on a man’s head, with Buluqiya walking beside him. When she saw Buluqiya, she said, “Such is the reward of one who does no harm to the children of Adam.” Buluqiya answered, “Do not fear us, Queen of the Serpents. We shall never harm you. We only want you to guide us to a certain herb among the herbs: whoever takes it, pounds it, extracts its juice, and anoints his feet with it may walk upon any sea God Most High has created without wetting his feet. When we have found that herb, we shall take some of it, bring you back to your own place, and set you free.”

Then Affan and Buluqiya carried the Queen of the Serpents towards the mountains where the herbs grew and took her among them all. Each herb began to speak, by the leave of God Most High, and tell its uses. While they were thus occupied, with herbs speaking to right and left and declaring their virtues, one herb spoke and said, “I am the herb which, if a man takes me, pounds me, extracts my juice, and anoints his feet with it, will let him cross any sea God Most High has created without wetting his feet.” When Affan heard the herb’s words, he lowered the cage from his head. They took as much of the herb as they needed, pounded and pressed it, and collected its juice. They poured it into two glass bottles, which they kept safe, and anointed their feet with what remained. Then Buluqiya and Affan took the Queen of the Serpents and travelled with her for nights and days until they reached the island where she had lived. Affan opened the cage, and the Queen of the Serpents came out. When she emerged, she asked them, “What will you do with this juice?” They replied, “We intend to anoint our feet with it, cross the seven seas, reach the burial place of our lord Solomon, and take the ring from his finger.” The Queen of the Serpents said, “Far beyond your power is the taking of that ring!” “Why?” they asked. She replied, “Because God Most High bestowed that ring upon Solomon as a special favour to him alone, for he said, ‘My Lord, grant me a kingdom such as shall belong to no one after me. Truly, You are the Bestower.’ What business have you with that ring?” Then she said, “Had you taken the herb which grants whoever eats it life until the first blast of the Trumpet—and it grows among those herbs—it would have served you better than this one you have taken, for this will not bring you what you seek.” When they heard her words, they bitterly regretted what they had done and went their way. And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and eighty-ninth night

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when Buluqiya and Affan heard the words of the Queen of the Serpents, they bitterly regretted what they had done and went their way. So much for them. As for the Queen of the Serpents, she returned to her hosts and found their affairs in disorder: the strong among them had grown weak, and the weak had died. When the serpents saw their queen among them, they rejoiced and gathered around her, asking, “What has happened to you? Where have you been?” She told them all that had befallen her with Affan and Buluqiya. Then she assembled her hosts and led them to Mount Qaf, for she wintered there and spent the summer in the place where Hasib Karim al-Din had found her. Then the serpent said, “Hasib, that is my story and what befell me.” Hasib marvelled at her words, then said, “I beg you, in your kindness, to command one of your attendants to bring me to the surface of the earth, so that I may return to my family.” The Queen of the Serpents replied, “Hasib, you shall not leave us until winter comes and you go with us to Mount Qaf. There you will see hills and sands and trees, and birds glorifying the One, the All-Subduing. You will see mighty ifrits and jinn whose number none but God Most High knows.”

When Hasib Karim al-Din heard the Queen of the Serpents say this, he grew troubled and sorrowful. Then he asked her, “Tell me about Affan and Buluqiya. After they left you and went their way, did they cross the seven seas and reach the burial place of our lord Solomon? If they reached it, were they able to take the ring or not?” She replied, “Know that when Affan and Buluqiya left me and went their way, they anointed their feet with that juice and walked upon the surface of the sea, gazing at its wonders. They journeyed on from sea to sea until they had crossed all seven. Beyond those seas they found a mighty mountain soaring into the air, made of green emerald. A spring flowed there, and all its soil was musk. When they reached that place, they rejoiced and said, ‘We have attained our goal.’ They went on until they came to a lofty mountain and walked upon it. From afar they saw a cavern in the mountain, surmounted by a great dome, with light shining from it. When they saw the cavern, they made for it until they reached it and entered. Within they saw a couch of gold set with jewels of every kind, and around it stood chairs whose number none but God Most High could reckon. They saw our lord Solomon lying asleep upon the couch, dressed in a robe of green silk embroidered with gold and set with precious gems. His right hand rested upon his breast, and the ring was on his finger. The light of the ring outshone all the jewels in that place. Then Affan taught Buluqiya certain adjurations and incantations and said to him, ‘Recite these adjurations, and do not cease until I have taken the ring.’ Affan approached the couch, and as he drew near, a mighty serpent emerged from beneath it and gave a tremendous cry. The whole place trembled at its cry, and sparks flew from its mouth. Then the serpent said to Affan, ‘Unless you turn back, you will perish.’ Affan busied himself with his adjurations and showed no fear of the serpent. It breathed upon him with a mighty blast that almost set the place ablaze and said, ‘Woe to you! Unless you turn back, I shall burn you.’ When Buluqiya heard these words from the serpent, he left the cavern. But Affan was not daunted. He advanced towards our lord Solomon, stretched out his hand, touched the ring, and tried to draw it from Solomon’s finger. At once the serpent breathed upon Affan and burned him to a heap of ashes.

“Such was his fate. As for Buluqiya, he fell senseless at what had happened.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and ninetieth night

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when Buluqiya saw Affan burned to a heap of ashes, he fell senseless. The Lord, glorious in His majesty, commanded Gabriel to descend to earth before the serpent could breathe upon Buluqiya. He descended swiftly and found Buluqiya unconscious and Affan burned by the serpent’s breath. Gabriel approached Buluqiya and roused him from his swoon. When he awoke, Gabriel greeted him and asked, “From where did you come to this place?” Buluqiya told him his whole story from beginning to end, then said, “Know that I came to this place only for the sake of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace. Affan told me that he would be sent at the end of time, and that none could meet him unless he lived until then. None could live until then unless he drank the Water of Life, and that could be done only by obtaining the ring of Solomon, peace be upon him. So I accompanied him to this place, and what has happened to him has happened. Here he lies burned, while I have escaped the flames. Now I wish you to tell me where Muhammad is to be found.” Gabriel answered, “Buluqiya, go your way, for the time of Muhammad is still far off.” Then Gabriel rose at once into heaven.

As for Buluqiya, he wept bitterly, repented of what he had done, and recalled the words of the Queen of the Serpents: “Far beyond anyone’s power is the taking of that ring!” Bewildered and weeping, he descended the mountain and went on until he drew near the seashore. There he sat for a while, marvelling at those mountains, seas, and islands, and spent the night in that place. When morning came, he anointed his feet with the juice they had taken from the herb and stepped onto the sea. For days and nights he walked upon it, marvelling at its terrors, wonders, and strange sights. He continued across the water until he reached an island that seemed like Paradise. Buluqiya went ashore and marvelled at the island and its beauty. As he wandered, he found it vast, its soil saffron and its pebbles rubies and precious minerals. Jasmine hedged it about, and it was planted with the loveliest trees and the brightest, sweetest fragrant herbs. Springs flowed through it; its wood was Qumari and Qaqali aloeswood, and its reeds were sugar cane. Roses, narcissi, jonquils, carnations, camomile, irises, and violets grew all around, in every shape and colour, while birds warbled in the trees. Fair in all its features, broad in its reaches, and abundant in its blessings, it embraced every form and essence of beauty. Its birdsong was sweeter than the ringing of lute strings; its trees soared, its birds gave voice, its rivers poured, its springs ran clear, and its waters were sweet. Gazelles frolicked there, and young antelopes passed to and fro, while birds sang upon the boughs, soothing the lovelorn heart. Buluqiya marvelled at this island and knew that he had strayed from the route by which he had first come with Affan. He wandered about the island, delighting in its sights until evening.

When night fell, he climbed a tall tree to sleep in its branches and began to reflect upon the island’s beauty. While he sat there, the sea suddenly churned, and an enormous beast emerged from it, uttering so mighty a cry that all the creatures of the island were alarmed. From his perch in the tree, Buluqiya gazed at the huge beast in wonder. Soon, before he knew it, beasts of many colours emerged from the sea behind it, each carrying in its hand a jewel that shone like a lamp, until the light of the jewels made the island bright as day. After a while, beasts came from the interior of the island in numbers known only to God Most High. Buluqiya looked at them and saw creatures of the wilderness—lions, tigers, leopards, and other beasts of the land. They continued to arrive until they had gathered with the sea beasts at the edge of the island, and they talked together until morning. When dawn came, they parted, each going its own way. The sight of them filled Buluqiya with fear. He climbed down from the tree, went to the seashore, anointed his feet with the juice he carried, and stepped onto the second sea. He walked upon the water for nights and days until he reached a mighty mountain. Beneath it lay a valley without end, whose stones were lodestone and whose creatures were lions, hares, and tigers. Buluqiya climbed the mountain and wandered from place to place until evening overtook him. Then he sat beneath one of its peaks beside the sea and began eating the dried fish cast up by the waves.

While he sat eating the fish, a great tiger came towards him, intending to devour him. Buluqiya turned and saw it charging at him, so he anointed his feet with the juice he carried and fled from the tiger onto the third sea. He walked upon the water in the darkness, for it was a black and fiercely windy night, and continued until he came to an island. He went ashore and found trees there, some green and some dry. Buluqiya took fruit from the trees, ate, and praised God Most High. Then he wandered about, looking at the sights until evening. And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and ninety-first night

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that Buluqiya wandered about that island, looking at its sights until evening. He slept there, and when morning came, he began to examine its surroundings. He spent ten days exploring it. Then he went to the seashore, anointed his feet, and stepped onto the fourth sea. He walked upon the water by night and day until he reached an island whose ground was fine white sand, without a tree or growing plant. He walked about for a while and found that its creatures were falcons, nesting in the sand. Seeing this, he anointed his feet, stepped onto the fifth sea, and walked across the water. He journeyed by night and day until he came to a small island whose land and mountains were like crystal. Within it were veins of the substance from which gold is made, and strange trees such as he had never seen in all his travels, with blossoms the colour of gold. Buluqiya went ashore and explored the island until evening. When darkness fell, the blossoms shone across the island like stars. Buluqiya marvelled at the island and said, “These blossoms dry in the sun and fall to the ground. The winds beat upon them, and those stones gather together and become an elixir, which people take and use to make gold.”

Then Buluqiya slept on the island until morning. At sunrise he anointed his feet with the juice he carried and stepped onto the sixth sea. He travelled for nights and days until he came to an island. Going ashore, he walked about for a while and saw two mountains covered with many trees. The fruit of those trees was shaped like human heads, hanging by their hair. He saw other trees whose fruits were green birds, hanging by their feet, and trees that blazed like fire and bore fruits like those of the cactus. Whoever was struck by a single drop from those fruits was burned by it. He saw fruits that wept and fruits that laughed, and many other wonders on that island. Then he walked to the seashore, where he saw a great tree, and sat beneath it until nightfall. When darkness deepened, he climbed into the tree and began to reflect upon the works of God. While he was thus engaged, the sea suddenly churned, and maidens of the sea emerged, each carrying a jewel that shone like a lamp. They walked until they came beneath the tree, where they sat and sported, danced and made merry. Buluqiya watched them as they amused themselves until morning. At dawn they returned to the sea. Marvelling at them, Buluqiya climbed down, anointed his feet with the juice he carried, and stepped onto the seventh sea. For two months he journeyed on without seeing mountain or island, land or valley or shore, until he had crossed that sea. He suffered such hunger upon it that he snatched fish from the water and ate them raw.

He continued in this way until he reached an island thick with trees and plentiful in rivers. He went ashore and began to walk about, looking to right and left. It was midmorning, and he walked on until he came to an apple tree. He stretched out his hand to eat from it, when a person in the tree shouted at him, “If you approach this tree and eat any of its fruit, it will cleave you in two!” Buluqiya looked at the person and saw that he was forty cubits tall, measured by the cubit of the people of that age. At the sight of him, Buluqiya was terribly afraid and drew back from the tree. Then he asked, “Why do you forbid me to eat from this tree?” The other replied, “Because you are a son of Adam, and your father Adam forgot his covenant with God, disobeyed Him, and ate from the tree.” Buluqiya asked, “What manner of being are you? To whom do this island and these trees belong? What is your name?” The person replied, “My name is Sharahya. These trees and this island belong to King Sakhr. I am one of his servants, and he has placed me in charge of this island.” Then Sharahya asked Buluqiya, “Who are you, and from where have you come to these lands?” Buluqiya told him his story from beginning to end, and Sharahya said, “Do not be afraid.” He brought him some food, and Buluqiya ate his fill. Then he bade him farewell and went on his way. He travelled for ten days, and as he was passing among mountains and sands, he saw a cloud of dust hanging in the air. Buluqiya made towards it and heard shouting, blows, and a tremendous tumult. He walked towards the dust until he reached a vast valley, two months’ journey in length. Looking towards the shouting, he saw people mounted on horses, fighting one another. Blood flowed among them like a river, and their voices were like thunder. In their hands they held spears, swords, iron maces, bows, and arrows, and they were locked in fierce battle. Great fear seized him. And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and ninety-second night

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when Buluqiya saw those people with weapons in their hands, locked in fierce battle, he was seized with terror and knew not what to do. While he stood there, they caught sight of him. As soon as they saw him, they drew apart and ceased fighting. A company of them approached him, and when they drew near, they marvelled at his form. One of their horsemen came forward and asked, “What manner of being are you? Where have you come from, and where are you going? Who showed you this road, that you have reached our country?” He replied, “I am one of the children of Adam. I have come wandering for love of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, but I have lost my way.” The horseman said, “We have never seen a son of Adam, nor has one ever come to this land.” They marvelled at him and at his words. Then Buluqiya asked them, “What manner of beings are you, O creatures?” The horseman replied, “We are of the jinn.” Buluqiya asked, “O horseman, what is the cause of this fighting among you? Where do you dwell, and what are this valley and these lands called?” The horseman answered, “We dwell in the White Land. Every year God Most High commands us to come to this land and wage war against the unbelieving jinn.” Buluqiya asked, “Where is the White Land?” The horseman replied, “Beyond Mount Qaf, a journey of seventy-five years away. This country is called the Land of Shaddad son of Ad, and we have come here to wage war. Apart from that, our only occupation is to glorify and sanctify God. We have a king named King Sakhr, and you must come with us to him, so that he may see you and look upon you.”

Then they set out with Buluqiya among them until they reached their camp. Buluqiya saw great tents of green silk, whose number none but God Most High knew. Among them stood a tent of red silk, a thousand cubits across, with ropes of blue silk and pegs of gold and silver. Buluqiya marvelled at that tent. They led him towards it, and it proved to be the tent of King Sakhr. They took him inside and brought him before the king. Buluqiya looked at him and saw him seated upon a great throne of red gold set with pearls and jewels. To his right were the kings of the jinn, and to his left sages, emirs, dignitaries of state, and others. When King Sakhr saw him, he ordered them to bring him near. They led him forward, and Buluqiya greeted him and kissed the ground before him. King Sakhr returned his greeting and said, “Draw near to me, O man.” Buluqiya approached until he stood before him. Then King Sakhr ordered a chair to be set beside his own, and when it had been placed there, he bade Buluqiya sit upon it. Buluqiya sat down, and King Sakhr asked him, “What manner of being are you?” He replied, “I am one of the children of Adam, of the Children of Israel.” King Sakhr said, “Tell me your story. Tell me what has befallen you and how you came to this land.” Buluqiya recounted everything that had happened in his travels, from beginning to end, and King Sakhr marvelled at his tale. And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and ninety-third night

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when Buluqiya told King Sakhr everything that had befallen him in his travels, from beginning to end, the king marvelled. Then he ordered the attendants to bring a dining cloth, and they brought one and spread it out. They brought platters of red gold, platters of silver, and platters of copper. Some held fifty boiled beasts, some twenty camels, and some fifty sheep. There were fifteen hundred platters in all. When Buluqiya saw this, he was utterly astonished. Then they ate, and Buluqiya ate with them until he was satisfied and praised God Most High. Afterwards they cleared away the food and brought fruit, which they ate. Then they glorified God Most High and invoked blessings upon His Prophet Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace. When Buluqiya heard Muhammad mentioned, he marvelled and said to King Sakhr, “I wish to ask you certain questions.” King Sakhr replied, “Ask whatever you wish.” Buluqiya said, “O king, what manner of beings are you? What is your origin? How do you know of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, that you invoke blessings upon him and love him?” King Sakhr replied, “Buluqiya, God Most High created the Fire in seven layers, one above another, with a journey of a thousand years between each layer and the next. He named the first layer Jahannam and prepared it for sinful believers who die without repentance. The second is called Laza, and He prepared it for the unbelievers. The third is called al-Jahim, and He prepared it for Gog and Magog. The fourth is al-Sa‘ir, prepared for the people of Iblis. The fifth is Saqar, prepared for those who neglect prayer. The sixth is al-Hutama, prepared for the Jews and Christians. The seventh is al-Hawiya, prepared for the hypocrites. These are the seven layers.” Buluqiya said, “Perhaps the punishment in Jahannam is lighter than in all the others, since it is the uppermost layer.” King Sakhr replied, “Yes, its punishment is the lightest of all. Yet within it are a thousand mountains of fire. In each mountain are seventy thousand valleys of fire, in each valley seventy thousand cities of fire, in each city seventy thousand fortresses of fire, in each fortress seventy thousand houses of fire, in each house seventy thousand couches of fire, and upon each couch seventy thousand kinds of torment. In all the layers of the Fire, Buluqiya, there is no punishment lighter than its punishment, for it is the first layer. As for the rest, none but God Most High knows how many kinds of torment they contain.”

When Buluqiya heard these words from King Sakhr, he fell senseless. When he recovered, he wept and said, “O king, what will become of us?” King Sakhr replied, “Buluqiya, do not be afraid. Know that whoever loves Muhammad will not be burned by the Fire, but will be delivered for the sake of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace. From whoever follows his faith, the Fire itself will flee. As for us, God Most High created us from fire. When God first created the creatures in Jahannam, He made two beings among His hosts: one named Khalit and the other Malit. He gave Khalit the form of a lion and Malit the form of a wolf. Malit’s tail was female in form and piebald in colour, while Khalit’s tail was male in form and shaped like a serpent. Malit’s tail was shaped like a tortoise, and Khalit’s tail was twenty years’ journey long. Then God Most High commanded their tails to come together and mate. From them were born serpents and scorpions, whose dwelling is in the Fire, so that God may torment with them those who enter it. Those serpents and scorpions bred and multiplied. Then God Most High commanded the tails of Khalit and Malit to come together and mate a second time. They did so, and Malit’s tail conceived by Khalit’s tail. When it gave birth, it bore seven males and seven females. They were reared until they grew to maturity, and then the females married the males. All obeyed their father except one, who disobeyed him and became a worm. That worm was Iblis, whom God Most High has cursed. He was once among those brought near to God, for he worshipped God Most High until he rose to heaven, drew near to the All-Merciful, and became chief of those admitted to His presence.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and ninety-fourth night

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that Iblis had worshipped God Most High and become chief of those admitted to His presence. When God Most High created Adam, peace be upon him, He commanded Iblis to bow before him. Iblis refused, and God Most High cast him out and cursed him. When he bred, the devils sprang from him. As for the six males before him, they were the believing jinn, and we are their descendants. Such is our origin, Buluqiya. Buluqiya marvelled at King Sakhr’s words, then said, “O king, I wish you to command one of your servants to take me back to my own country.” King Sakhr replied, “We can do nothing of that kind unless God Most High commands us. But, Buluqiya, if you wish to leave us, I shall have one of my mares brought to you and mount you upon her back. I shall command her to carry you to the furthest boundary of my dominion. When you reach that boundary, you will be met by the people of a king named Barakhya. They will see the mare and recognize her, help you dismount, and send her back to us. That is all we can do, and no more.”

When Buluqiya heard these words, he wept and said to the king, “Do as you wish.” The king ordered the mare to be brought, and they brought her and set him on her back. “Beware,” they told him, “of dismounting or striking her in the face, for if you do either, she will kill you. Remain quietly on her back until she stops with you, then dismount and go your way.” Buluqiya replied, “I hear and obey.” Then he rode off, travelling among the tents for a long time, and on his way he passed King Sakhr’s kitchen. There he saw cauldrons hanging over blazing fires, with fifty camels in each. At the sight of these vast cauldrons, Buluqiya gazed at them in wonder, lingering over them in astonishment. The king looked at him and, seeing his amazement at the kitchen, supposed that he was hungry. He therefore ordered two roast camels to be brought, and they brought them and tied them behind Buluqiya on the mare’s back. He bade them farewell and rode on until he reached the boundary of King Sakhr’s dominions. There the mare stopped, and Buluqiya dismounted and began shaking the dust of travel from his clothes. Just then some men came up to him. They recognized the mare and took her away, and Buluqiya went with them until they reached King Barakhya. When Buluqiya entered the king’s presence, he greeted him, and the king returned his greeting. Buluqiya saw him seated in a great pavilion, surrounded by soldiers and champions, with the kings of the jinn to his right and left. The king bade Buluqiya approach, and when he came forward, seated him beside him and ordered the meal to be served. Buluqiya observed that King Barakhya’s state was much like King Sakhr’s. When the food arrived, they ate, and Buluqiya ate his fill and praised God Most High. Then the food was cleared away and fruit was brought, and they ate of it. King Barakhya asked Buluqiya, “When did you leave King Sakhr?” “Two days ago,” he replied. “Do you know how many days’ journey you have travelled in those two days?” asked the king. “No,” said Buluqiya. “A journey of seventy months,” he answered. But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and ninety-fifth night

She said: I have heard, O fortunate king, that King Barakhya said to Buluqiya, “In these two days you have travelled a journey of seventy months. But when you mounted the mare, she took fright at you, knowing you to be a son of Adam, and wanted to throw you off her back. That is why they weighed her down with those two camels.” When Buluqiya heard this from King Barakhya, he marvelled and praised God Most High for his deliverance. Then the king said, “Tell me what has happened to you, and how you came to these lands.” Buluqiya related all his adventures, telling him how he had wandered and come to those lands. The king marvelled at his account, and Buluqiya stayed with him for two months.

When Hasib heard the Queen of the Serpents’ words, he was utterly astonished. Then he said to her, “I ask of your grace and kindness that you order one of your attendants to take me up to the surface of the earth, so that I may return to my family.” The Queen of the Serpents replied, “O Hasib Karim al-Din, know that once you reach the surface of the earth, you will go home to your family, then enter the bathhouse and bathe. The moment you finish washing, I shall die, for that will be the cause of my death.” Hasib said, “I swear to you that I shall never enter a bathhouse as long as I live. Whenever I must perform the ritual washing, I shall wash at home.” The Queen of the Serpents replied, “Even if you swore a hundred oaths, I would never believe you. It cannot be. Know that you are a son of Adam, and you cannot keep faith, for your father Adam made a covenant with God and broke it. God Most High had kneaded his clay for forty mornings and made His angels bow down before him, yet afterward he broke the covenant, forgot it, and disobeyed his Lord’s command.”

When Hasib heard these words, he fell silent and wept. He continued weeping for ten days, then said to her, “Tell me what happened to Buluqiya after he had spent two months with King Barakhya.” She replied, “Know, O Hasib, that after his stay with King Barakhya, Buluqiya bade him farewell and travelled through the wilderness by night and day until he reached a lofty mountain. He climbed it and saw a mighty angel seated upon it, remembering God Most High and invoking blessings upon Muhammad. Before the angel lay a tablet bearing writing, some white and some black, at which he gazed. He had two wings, one stretching to the east and the other to the west. Buluqiya approached and greeted him, and the angel returned his greeting. Then the angel asked, ‘Who are you? Where have you come from? Where are you going? And what is your name?’ Buluqiya replied, ‘I am a son of Adam, of the Children of Israel. I wander for love of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, and my name is Buluqiya.’ The angel asked, ‘What befell you on your way to this land?’ Buluqiya told him all that had happened to him and all he had seen in his wanderings, and the angel marvelled at his account. Then Buluqiya asked him, ‘Now tell me about this tablet and what is written upon it. What is the task you are engaged in, and what is your name?’ The angel replied, ‘My name is Mikha’il, and I am charged with governing the alternation of night and day. This shall be my task until the Day of Resurrection.’ Buluqiya marvelled at these words, and at the angel’s appearance, his majesty, and the vastness of his form.

“Then Buluqiya bade the angel farewell and travelled by night and day until he reached a great meadow. As he walked through it, he saw seven rivers and many trees. He marvelled at that vast meadow and wandered about it until he came upon an immense tree, beneath which stood four angels. Buluqiya approached them and looked at their forms. One had the form of a man, the second that of a wild beast, the third that of a bird, and the fourth that of a bull. They were occupied in the remembrance of God Most High, and each was saying, ‘My God, my Lord and Master, by Your own right and by the standing of Your prophet Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, forgive and pardon every creature You have made in my likeness. Truly, You have power over all things.’ Buluqiya marvelled to hear their words, then left them and travelled by night and day until he reached Mount Qaf. He climbed it and saw a mighty angel seated there, praising and glorifying God Most High and invoking blessings upon Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace. The angel was contracting and extending, folding and unfolding. While he was thus engaged, Buluqiya approached and greeted him. The angel returned his greeting and asked, ‘What are you? Where have you come from? Where are you going? And what is your name?’ Buluqiya replied, ‘I am of the Children of Israel, a son of Adam, and my name is Buluqiya. I wander for love of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, but I have lost my way.’ He related all that had happened to him, and when he had finished his tale, he asked the angel, ‘Who are you? What is this mountain? And what is this task you are engaged in?’ The angel replied, ‘Know, O Buluqiya, that this is Mount Qaf, which encircles the world. Every land God has created in the world is held within my grasp. Whenever God Most High wills that a land should suffer an earthquake, drought, war, or enjoy abundance or peace, He commands me to bring it about, and I do so without stirring from my place. Know that my hand grasps the veins of the earth.’” But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and ninety-sixth night

She said: I have heard, O fortunate king, that the angel said to Buluqiya, “Know that my hand grasps the veins of the earth.” Buluqiya asked him, “Has God created within Mount Qaf any land other than this one in which you dwell?” The angel replied, “Yes. He has created a land as white as silver, whose extent none knows but God Most High. He has peopled it with angels whose food and drink are praise and glorification, and frequent invocations of blessings upon Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace. Every Friday eve they come to this mountain and gather here, praying to God Most High all night until morning. They offer the reward of their praise, glorification, and worship to the sinners among Muhammad’s people, God bless him and grant him peace, and to everyone who performs the Friday ritual washing. Thus they shall continue until the Day of Resurrection.”

Then Buluqiya asked the angel, “Has God created any mountains beyond Mount Qaf?” The angel replied, “Yes. Beyond Mount Qaf is a mountain five hundred years’ journey in extent, made of snow and hail. It keeps the heat of Hell from the world; were it not for that mountain, the world would burn in the heat of Hell’s fire. Beyond Mount Qaf there are forty lands, each forty times the size of this world. Some are of gold, some of silver, and some of ruby, and each of those lands has its own colour. God has peopled them with angels whose sole occupation is to praise and glorify Him, proclaim His oneness and greatness, and pray to God Most High for the people of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace. They know neither Eve nor Adam, neither night nor day. Know, O Buluqiya, that the earths are seven layers, one above another. God has created an angel whose nature and magnitude are known to none but God, the Mighty and Majestic, and he bears the seven earths upon his shoulders. Beneath that angel God Most High created a rock, beneath the rock a light, beneath the light a great fish, and beneath that fish an immense sea. God Most High told Jesus, peace be upon him, of this fish, and Jesus said, ‘Lord, show me this fish, that I may look upon it.’ So God Most High commanded one of the angels to take Jesus to the fish and let him see it. The angel came to Jesus, peace be upon him, took him to the sea in which the fish dwelt, and said, ‘Look at the fish, O Jesus.’ Jesus looked for the fish but could not see it. Then the fish passed before him like lightning, and at the sight Jesus fell unconscious. When he came to himself, God revealed to him, saying, ‘O Jesus, did you see the fish? Did you learn its length and breadth?’ Jesus replied, ‘By Your might and majesty, O Lord, I did not see it. But a great light passed before me, extending over a distance of three days’ journey, and I did not know what that light was.’ God said, ‘O Jesus, what passed before you, extending over three days’ journey, was only the head of the light. Know, O Jesus, that every day I create forty fish like that one.’ When he heard these words, he marvelled at the power of God Most High.

Then Buluqiya asked the angel, “What has God created beneath the sea in which the fish dwells?” The angel replied, “Beneath the sea God has created a vast expanse of air, and beneath the air He has created fire, and beneath the fire He has created an enormous serpent named Falaq. Were it not for that serpent’s fear of God Most High, it would swallow everything above it—the air, the fire, the angel and all he bears—without even feeling the angel’s presence.” But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and ninety-seventh night

She said: I have heard, O fortunate king, that the angel said to Buluqiya, in describing the serpent, “Were it not for its fear of God Most High, it would swallow everything above it—the air, the fire, the angel and all he bears—without even feeling it. When God Most High created this serpent, He revealed to it, ‘I wish to place a trust in your keeping, so guard it well.’ The serpent replied, ‘Do as You wish.’ God said to the serpent, ‘Open your mouth.’ It opened its mouth, and God placed Hell within its belly, saying, ‘Guard Hell until the Day of Resurrection.’ When the Day of Resurrection comes, God will command His angels to bring chains with which to lead Hell to the place of gathering. Then God Most High will command Hell to open its gates, and it will open them, and great sparks, larger than mountains, will fly out.”

When Buluqiya heard these words from the angel, he wept bitterly. Then he bade the angel farewell and travelled westward until he came upon two beings seated beside a great locked gate. As he drew near, he saw that one had the form of a lion and the other that of a bull. Buluqiya greeted them, and they returned his greeting. Then they asked him, “What are you? Where have you come from? And where are you going?” Buluqiya replied, “I am a son of Adam, and I wander for love of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, but I have lost my way.” Then he asked them, “What are you, and what is this gate beside you?” They replied, “We are the guardians of this gate you see, and we have no occupation but praising and glorifying God and invoking blessings upon Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace.” Buluqiya marvelled at their words and asked, “What lies beyond this gate?” “We do not know,” they replied. He said, “By your glorious Lord, open this gate for me so that I may see what lies within.” They answered, “We cannot open this gate, nor can any created being open it except Gabriel the Trustworthy, peace be upon him.”

When Buluqiya heard this, he prayed humbly to God Most High, saying, “Lord, send me Gabriel the Trustworthy to open this gate for me, so that I may see what lies within.” God answered his prayer and commanded Gabriel the Trustworthy to descend to earth and open the gate of the Meeting of the Two Seas, so that Buluqiya might behold it. Gabriel came down to Buluqiya and greeted him, then went to the gate and opened it. He said to Buluqiya, “Enter through this gate, for God has commanded me to open it for you.” Buluqiya entered and walked on, while Gabriel locked the gate and ascended to heaven. Beyond the gate Buluqiya saw an immense sea, half salt and half fresh, with two mountains of red ruby surrounding it. He went on until he reached the two mountains, where he saw angels engaged in praising and glorifying God. Buluqiya greeted them, and they returned his greeting. He asked them about the sea and the two mountains, and the angels replied, “This is a place beneath the Throne, and this sea supplies every sea in the world. We divide this water and direct it to the lands, the salt water to the salt lands and the fresh water to the sweet lands. He created these two mountains to hold the water in, and this shall be our task until the Day of Resurrection.”

Then they asked him, “Where have you come from, and where are you going?” Buluqiya told them his story from beginning to end, then asked them which way he should go. They replied, “Go out here upon the surface of this sea.” Buluqiya took some of the water he carried with him and rubbed it on his feet, then bade them farewell and walked over the sea by night and day. As he travelled, he saw a handsome young man walking upon the water. He approached and greeted him, and the young man returned his greeting. After leaving the young man, Buluqiya saw four angels moving over the sea as swiftly as flashing lightning. He went forward and stood in their path. When they reached him, he greeted them and said, “I ask you, by the Mighty and Glorious One, what are your names? Where are you from, and where are you going?” One of them replied, “My name is Gabriel, the second is named Israfil, the third Mikha’il, and the fourth Azra’il. A mighty serpent has appeared in the east, laid waste a thousand cities, and devoured their inhabitants. God Most High has commanded us to go and seize it and cast it into Hell.” Buluqiya marvelled at them and at their immense size, then continued on his way by night and day until he reached an island. He climbed ashore and walked about for a while. But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and ninety-eighth night

She said: I have heard, O fortunate king, that Buluqiya climbed ashore on the island and walked about for a while. There he saw a handsome young man whose face shone with light. As Buluqiya drew near, he saw that the youth was sitting between two built-up tombs, lamenting and weeping. Buluqiya approached and greeted him, and the young man returned his greeting. Then Buluqiya asked him, “What is your story? What is your name? What are these two tombs between which you sit? And why do you weep so?” The young man turned to Buluqiya and wept bitterly, until his tears soaked his clothes. Then he said, “Know, my brother, that my tale is wondrous and my story strange. I should like you to sit with me and tell me what you have seen in your life, what has brought you to this place, what your name is, and where you are going. Then I in turn shall tell you my story.” Buluqiya sat beside the young man and told him all that had happened during his wanderings, from beginning to end. He told him how his father had died and left him as his successor, how he had opened the private chamber and found the chest within it, how he had seen the book containing the description of Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, and how his heart had become devoted to him, so that he had set out to wander for love of him. He related everything that had happened until he reached that place, then said, “That is my whole story. God knows best, and I do not know what will befall me hereafter.” When the young man heard his words, he sighed and said, “Poor man, what have you seen in your life? Know, O Buluqiya, that I saw our lord Solomon in his own time, and I have seen things beyond all reckoning. My tale is wondrous and my story strange. I should like you to remain with me, so that I may tell you my story and explain why I sit here.”

When Hasib heard these words from the serpent, he marvelled and said, “O Queen of the Serpents, I beg you by God to set me free and order one of your servants to take me up to the surface of the earth. I swear to you that I shall never enter a bathhouse as long as I live.” She replied, “It cannot be, and I do not believe your oath.” At this he wept, and all the serpents wept for him and began pleading with the queen on his behalf. “We ask you,” they said, “to order one of us to take him up to the surface of the earth. Let him swear to you that he will never enter a bathhouse as long as he lives.” Now the Queen of the Serpents was named Yamlikha. When she heard their pleas, she turned to Hasib and made him swear, and he swore to her. Then she ordered a serpent to take him up to the surface of the earth. The serpent came to lead him out, but as it approached, Hasib said to the Queen of the Serpents, “I should like you to tell me the story of the young man with whom Buluqiya sat, whom he found sitting between the two tombs.” She replied, “Know, O Hasib, that Buluqiya sat beside the young man and told him his story from beginning to end, so that the young man in turn might relate his own tale, tell him what had happened in his life, and explain why he sat between the two tombs.” But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and ninety-ninth night

She said: I have heard, O fortunate king, that when Buluqiya had told the young man his story, the youth said, “What wonders have you seen, poor man? I saw our lord Solomon in his own time, and I have seen marvels beyond all reckoning. Know, my brother, that my father was a king named King Tayghmus. He ruled over the lands of Kabul and over the Banu Shahlan, who were ten thousand champions, each ruling a hundred cities and a hundred walled fortresses. He held sway over seven sultans, and tribute was brought to him from east to west. He was just in his rule, and God Most High had bestowed all this upon him and favoured him with that vast kingdom, yet he had no child. His lifelong desire was that God should grant him a son to succeed him on his throne after his death. One day he summoned the learned men, astrologers, and masters of knowledge and celestial reckoning, and said to them, ‘Examine my horoscope and tell me whether God will grant me a son during my lifetime to succeed me on my throne.’ The astrologers opened their books and calculated his ascendant and the aspects of the stars, then said, ‘Know, O king, that you will be blessed with a son, but that son can be born only of the daughter of the King of Khurasan.’ When Tayghmus heard this, he rejoiced exceedingly and gave the astrologers and sages wealth beyond all reckoning, and they went their way. King Tayghmus had a chief vizier, a mighty champion who was a match for a thousand horsemen, and his name was Ayn Zar. The king said to him, ‘Vizier, I wish you to prepare to journey to Khurasan and ask for the hand of the daughter of King Bahrawan, ruler of Khurasan, on my behalf.’ King Tayghmus told his vizier Ayn Zar what the astrologers had said. As soon as the vizier heard the king’s words, he went to make ready for the journey, then marched outside the city with the troops, champions, and armies.

“Such was the vizier’s part. As for King Tayghmus, he prepared fifteen hundred loads of silk, jewels, pearls, rubies, gold, silver, and precious metals. He also made ready a great quantity of wedding finery, loaded it upon camels and mules, and entrusted it to his vizier Ayn Zar. Then he wrote him a letter, which read: ‘To proceed: peace be upon King Bahrawan. Know that we have assembled the astrologers, sages, and masters of celestial reckoning, and they have told us that we shall be blessed with a son, but that this son can be born only of your daughter. I have therefore sent you my vizier Ayn Zar, bearing a great quantity of bridal finery. I have appointed my vizier to act in my stead in this matter and authorized him to accept the marriage contract. I ask of your graciousness that you grant the vizier’s request, for it is my own, and that you show neither neglect nor delay in this affair. Whatever kindness you do will be gratefully received, but beware of opposing my wishes. Know, O King Bahrawan, that God has favoured me with the kingdom of Kabul, given me dominion over the Banu Shahlan, and bestowed upon me a mighty realm. If I marry your daughter, you and I shall be as one in sovereignty, and each year I shall send you wealth sufficient for your needs. This is what I desire of you.’

“Then King Tayghmus sealed the letter, handed it to his vizier Ayn Zar, and ordered him to set out for Khurasan. The vizier travelled until he drew near King Bahrawan’s city, and the king was informed of the arrival of King Tayghmus’s vizier. On hearing the news, King Bahrawan sent the emirs of his realm to meet him, providing them with food, drink, and other supplies, as well as fodder for the horses, and bade them go out to welcome the vizier Ayn Zar. They loaded their baggage and travelled until they met the vizier. Then they unloaded, the armies and troops encamped, and they exchanged greetings. They remained there for ten days, feasting and drinking, after which they mounted and made their way to the city. King Bahrawan came out to meet King Tayghmus’s vizier, embraced and greeted him, then took him to the citadel. The vizier presented King Bahrawan with the loads of gifts, rarities, and treasure, and gave him the letter. King Bahrawan took it and read it, understood its contents and meaning, and rejoiced exceedingly. He welcomed the vizier, saying, ‘Be assured that you shall have what you desire. Were King Tayghmus to ask for my very life, I would give it to him.’ King Bahrawan went at once to his daughter, her mother, and his kinsfolk, told them of the matter, and consulted them. They replied, ‘Do as you wish.’” But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the five hundredth night

She said: I have heard, O fortunate king, that the king consulted his daughter, her mother, and her kinsfolk, and they said, “Do as you wish.” Then King Bahrawan returned to the vizier Ayn Zar and told him that his request had been granted. The vizier stayed with King Bahrawan for two months, after which he said to the king, “We ask you now to favour us by completing the business for which we came, so that we may return to our own land.” The king replied, “I hear and obey.” He ordered the wedding celebrations to be held and the bridal trousseau prepared, and his orders were carried out. Then he summoned his viziers and all the emirs and great men of his realm, and they all assembled. He next summoned the monks and priests, who came and drew up the marriage contract between his daughter and King Tayghmus. King Bahrawan made ready all that was needed for the journey and gave his daughter gifts, rarities, and precious metals beyond description. He ordered the city’s streets to be carpeted and adorned with the finest decorations. Then the vizier Ayn Zar set out for his own country with King Bahrawan’s daughter. When word reached King Tayghmus, he ordered celebrations to be held and the city decorated. King Tayghmus went in to King Bahrawan’s daughter and took her maidenhead, and within a few days she conceived by him. When her months were fulfilled, she gave birth to a boy as lovely as the full moon. On learning that his wife had borne him a handsome son, King Tayghmus rejoiced exceedingly. He summoned the sages, astrologers, and masters of celestial reckoning and said to them, “I wish you to examine this newborn child’s ascendant and the aspects of his stars, and tell me what he will encounter in his life.” The sages and astrologers calculated his horoscope and the aspects of the stars and found that the boy was fortunate, but that hardship would befall him early in life, when he reached the age of fifteen. If he survived it, he would enjoy much prosperity and become a mighty king, greater than his father. His good fortune would increase, his enemies would perish, and he would live in happiness. But if he died, there would be no recovering what was lost. God knows best.

When the king heard this news, he rejoiced exceedingly. He named the boy Janshah, entrusted him to wet nurses and nursemaids, and saw to it that he was well brought up. When he reached the age of five, his father taught him to read, and he began reading the Gospel. In less than seven years he taught him warfare, the use of lance and sword, and the boy began riding out to hunt. He became a mighty champion, accomplished in every art of horsemanship, and whenever his father heard of his skill in the arts of war, he rejoiced exceedingly. One day King Tayghmus ordered his soldiers to mount and ride out hunting. The troops and armies set forth, and King Tayghmus rode with his son Janshah into the wilderness and open country. They hunted until the afternoon of the third day, when a gazelle of wondrous colour appeared before Janshah and fled ahead of him. At the sight of it bounding away, Janshah gave chase, galloping swiftly after it. Seven of Tayghmus’s mamluks broke away and followed Janshah. Seeing their master racing after the gazelle, they sped after him on swift horses, and they continued until they reached the sea. There they all rushed upon the gazelle to capture it, but it escaped them and flung itself into the water. But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.