In the times of the Caliph Harun-al-Rashid there lived in Bagdad a poor
porter named Hindbad, who, on a very hot day, was sent to carry a heavy
load from one end of the city to the other. Before he had accomplished
half the distance he was so tired that, finding himself in a quiet
street where the pavement was sprinkled with rose-water, and a cool
breeze was blowing, he set his burden upon the ground, and sat down to
rest in the shade of a grand house. Very soon he decided that he could
not have chosen a pleasanter place; a delicious perfume of aloes-wood
and pastilles came from the open windows and mingled with the scent of
the rose-water which steamed up from the hot pavement. Within the palace
he heard some music, as of many instruments cunningly played, and the
melodious warble of nightingales and other birds, and by this, and the
appetizing smell of many dainty dishes of which he presently became
aware, he judged that feasting and merry-making were going on. He
wondered who lived in this magnificent house which he had never seen
before, the street in which it stood being one which he seldom had
occasion to pass. To satisfy his curiosity he went up to some splendidly
dressed servants who stood at the door, and asked one of them the name
of the master of the mansion.
"What," replied he, "do you live in Bagdad, and not know that here lives
the noble Sindbad the Sailor, that famous traveller who sailed over
every sea upon which the sun shines?"
The porter, who had often heard people speak of the immense wealth of
Sindbad, could not help feeling envious of one whose lot seemed to be as
happy as his own was miserable. Casting his eyes up to the sky he
exclaimed aloud:--
"Consider, Mighty Creator of all things, the difference between
Sindbad's life and mine. Every day I suffer a thousand hardships and
misfortunes, and have hard work to get even enough bad barley bread to
keep myself and my family alive, while the lucky Sindbad spends money
right and left and lives upon the fat of the land! What has he done that
you should give him this pleasant life--what have I done to deserve so
hard a fate?"
So saying he stamped upon the ground like one beside himself with misery
and despair. Just at this moment a servant came out of the palace, and
taking him by the arm said, "Come with me, the noble Sindbad, my master,
wishes to speak to you."
Hindbad was not a little surprised at this summons, and feared that his
unguarded words might have drawn upon him the displeasure of Sindbad, so
he tried to excuse himself upon the pretext that he could not leave the
burden which had been intrusted to him in the street. However the lackey
promised him that it should be taken care of, and urged him to obey the
call so pressingly that at last the porter was obliged to yield.
He followed the servant into a vast room, where a great company was
seated round a table covered with all sorts of delicacies. In the place
of honor sat a tall, grave man, whose long white beard gave him a
venerable air. Behind his chair stood a crowd of attendants eager to
minister to his wants. This was the famous Sindbad himself. The porter,
more than ever alarmed at the sight of so much magnificence, tremblingly
saluted the noble company. Sindbad, making a sign to him to approach,
caused him to be seated at his right hand, and himself heaped choice
morsels upon his plate, and poured out for him a draught of excellent
wine, and presently, when the banquet drew to a close, spoke to him
familiarly, asking his name and occupation.
"My lord," replied the porter, "I am called Hindbad."
"I am glad to see you here," continued Sindbad. "And I will answer for
the rest of the company that they are equally pleased, but I wish you to
tell me what it was that you said just now in the street." For Sindbad,
passing by the open window before the feast began, had heard his
complaint and therefore had sent for him.
At this question Hindbad was covered with confusion, and hanging down
his head, replied, "My lord, I confess that, overcome by weariness and
ill-humor, I uttered indiscreet words, which I pray you to pardon me."
"Oh!" replied Sindbad, "do not imagine that I am so unjust as to blame
you. On the contrary, I understand your situation and can pity you. Only
you appear to be mistaken about me, and I wish to set you right. You
doubtless imagine that I have acquired all the wealth and luxury that
you see me enjoy without difficulty or danger, but this is far indeed
from being the case. I have only reached this happy state after having
for years suffered every possible kind of toil and danger.
"Yes, my noble friends," he continued, addressing the company, "I assure
you that my adventures have been strange enough to deter even the most
avaricious men from seeking wealth by traversing the seas. Since you
have, perhaps, heard but confused accounts of my Seven Voyages, and the
dangers and wonders that I have met with by sea and land, I will now
give you a full and true account of them, which I think you will be well
pleased to hear."
As Sindbad was relating his adventures chiefly on account of the porter,
he ordered, before beginning his tale, that the burden which had been
left in the street should be carried by some of his own servants to the
place for which Hindbad had set out at first, while he remained to
listen to the story.