The Story of Abu Hasan al-Khilkhan (Thousand and One Nights, Manchester ms, p31)
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Description
In the city of Baghdad, Abu Hasan, nicknamed al-Khilkhan, has a brother, al-Sindi, known for his wisdom and piety. Abu Hasan is a mysterious character. One day, he sets off on a journey on a strange horse, entrusting his brother with the care of his family. On the way, he loses his mount.
It happened that the man (Abu Hasan), after traveling a long distance, reached a vast desert. The winds there blew violently, and wild beasts filled the surrounding area. He walked on, without water or provisions, until weakness overcame him and hunger overwhelmed him. Then he said: "By God, I don't know what will become of me. If only I could find someone to guide me out of this place!"
And as he rode on, there appeared before him a dark-faced, thick-bearded old man, mounted on a strange beast. The traveler approached him and greeted him. The old man barely answered, and said to him: "O you who walk in the desert, where are you going? Know that he who sets out on this path encounters perils from which no one returns." But the man replied: "O old man, I am left to fate, and it is God who decides for me. Guide me to that which may save me."
Then the old man smiled and said, "Ride behind me on this mount, and have no fear." The man obeyed. But when he was in the saddle, the beast began to tremble and change its appearance, and the traveler felt his heart clench. He said, "O old man, what is this beast on which you are riding me?"
The old man replied, "It is a creature among God's creatures, and it will take you wherever your destiny calls you."
Then they set off, crossing valleys and dunes, until they reached a fertile place, adorned with trees and flowers. And the man gave thanks to God for what He had granted him, and then he understood that the old man was no ordinary man but one of those who know the invisible ways. (Translation of p. 32 of the Manchester Ms)
The miniature depicts the appearance of the old man on his mysterious mount, before he invites Abu-Hasan to ride in rump behind him.
2. P. 31.
The inscription in red, just above the miniature, though faded, most likely says: "In the name of God, the Clement, the Merciful" (بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم). Perhaps it marks the beginning of a new narrative section.
255th night.
3. This rare tale is not part of either the Galland corpus or the Bulaq corpus of the 1001 Nights.
Technical Data
Notice #025383