A Tale of Four Dervishes (Penguin Classics)

by Mir Amman

  ‘One day I thought of my parents and felt sad. Behzad Khan guessed my feelings. Joining his hands together he stood respectfully before me and said, “Kindly tell me if there is any slackness on my part.” I said, “For God’s sake! You have looked after us so well that we have lived in this city as safe and secure as children in the mother’s womb. Our acts have made everyone our enemy. How could we find anyone to stay with even for a while? May God preserve you, you are really great.” He said, “If you are tired of this place I may safely conduct you wherever you please.” I replied, “If only I could reach my country, and see my parents. I am all right here but God knows how they are. I have got what I wished and left my country for. Now I must go back to them. They do not know whether I am dead or alive. God alone knows what suffering they might have endured.” The soldier said, “Very true, let us set out then.” He brought a Turkish horse for me which could go hundred miles a day, and a swift but docile mare for the princess and got us mounted on them. Then he put on his armour, armed himself, mounted his horse and said, “I’ll go ahead. You please follow me without any fear.” When we reached the city gate he bellowed and broke the lock with his axe. He rebuked and challenged the guards with these words: “You bastards, go and tell your master that Behzad Khan is openly taking his Princess Mehr Nigqar and Prince Kamgar who is your son-in-law. Tell him that if he has any pretensions to her he should come and take her from me if he dares. He should not say afterwards that I secretly carried her away and that he did not know of it. Or else he should stay put in his fort and relax.” This news soon reached the king. The vizier and the general were ordered to get hold of ‘the three villains and produce them dead or alive’ before the king. A huge body of troops appeared in no time and the dust created an unnatural darkness from earth to sky. Behzad Khan hid us behind a gate on a bridge which was as big as the twelve-gate bridge or the one at Jaunpur. He spurred his horse and turned towards the troops. He roared like a lion and rushing his horse pounced on them. The whole body of troops was dispersed like scum on water and he penetrated deep into their ranks and cut off the heads of the two chiefs. When the chiefs were killed the troops completely dispersed for, as they say: ‘all depends on the head; when it is gone all is gone’, or ‘when the seed-vessel cracks the grains are scattered all over.’ The king himself came over there to reinforce the troops with a large body of armed men. On him also Behzad inflicted a crushing defeat. The king fled. It is true that victory is God’s gift but it may be said that even Rustam could not have shown such bravery as Behzad Khan had shown in that battle.

  ‘When he made sure that it was all safe and that no one could pursue us he confidently came to the place where he had hidden us and thus we moved further on. Once you set out, the journey becomes short. So, in a short time I reached my country with them. I sent a letter to the king, my father, informing him of my safe arrival. He was happy and thanked God for my safe return. He got a new lease of life as a withered plant is revived by water. He took the nobles of his court with him and came to the banks of the river to receive me. The Master of the Seas was ordered to arrange for boats to carry us across. I saw the king and those who accompanied him from the opposite bank and grew eager to kiss his feet. I plunged with my horse into the river and making a dash through it presented myself before him. With fatherly affection he clasped me to his breast.

  ‘But in the meantime there was a mishap. The horse on which I rode was perhaps the colt of the mare on which the princess rode, or perhaps they had previously been together for, seeing my horse plunge into the river, the mare also plunged itself into it with the princess and began to swim. The princess became nervous. She pulled at the the reins. The mare was tender-mouthed; it turned over. The princess struggled but to no avail. She was drowned with the mare. Behzad Khan mounted his horse and dashed into the river to rescue the princess but he was caught in a whirlpool. He struggled hard against it but could not push himself out to the bank. He too sank with his horse. Seeing all this, the king sent for the big nets and got them thrown into the river. The boatmen and divers were also ordered to look for their bodies. They searched and searched for them in the whole river, deep down to its bottom, but neither their bodies nor those of the horse and the mare were found.

  ‘O men of God, this mishap made me mad. I gave up the mundane cares of the world, property, wealth and all, and wandered about from place to place crying:

  All that the poor eyes can do

  Is to see the joys, to see the griefs.

  Had the princess disappeared or even died, I could have ventured out in search of her, or could have borne the loss with fortitude. But she was drowned before my very eyes. I could do nothing except think of drowning myself so that I might meet my mistress in death. With this determination I stepped into the same river one night till the water rose to my neck. As I was about to take another step forward and drown myself, the veiled rider who gave you the good news appeared there and held me by my arm. He comforted me and said, “The princess and Behzad Khan are safe and secure. Why are you throwing away your life for nothing? It is the way of the world. Don’t be despairing of God’s grace. If you remain alive, you will meet both of them one day. You should go towards Turkey. Two other grief-stricken dervishes have already gone there. When you meet them, you shall get what you wish.” Friends, this is the story of my life; and I am here now on the advice of that great guide and have the honour to be with you. I firmly hope that each of us will now be able to fulfil his heart’s desire.’

  Adventures of the Fourth Dervish

  With eyes full of tears the fourth dervish began to relate his life-story with these words:

  ‘Listen to the tale of my helplessness;

  With attention, please, hear it all!

  What caused my ruin and why did I come here?

  Listen, I will tell the reason why!

  ‘God be our guide, this humble being in this poor state before you is the son of the Emperor of China. I was brought up in luxury and educated well. I did not know the good or the evil of the world and thought that my life would pass carefree in the same way. But then the sad event of my father’s death took place. Before he passed away, he sent for his younger brother, my uncle, and said to him, “I am now going to depart forever and leave behind my empire, wealth and all. Please behave like an elderly counsel after me and act upon my will. Till the prince who is heir to my throne comes of age and is able to look after his affairs, please act as his regent and make sure that his subjects and army are not ruined and spoiled. When the prince comes of age, give him the throne and advise him well in the affairs of the kingdom. Marry him to your daughter, Roshan Akhtar. You may then retire from the government. Thus the kingdom will remain within our family and it will not be disturbed.’ He passed away soon after and my uncle became the king and began to rule. He ordered that I should be brought up in the seraglio and not be allowed to come out until I came of age.

  ‘So, until I was fourteen I was brought up there among the princesses and their private female attendants and I rejoiced with them. As they say: ‘the world lives on hope’, so I was happy with the thought that I would be married to my cousin and that I would shortly get the throne. Often I would go and spend time in the company of Mubarak, a black slave who had grown up in my father’s service. My father had great trust in him. He was happy to see me growing up and would way, “Praise be to God, you are now grown up, my prince. If God wills it so, your uncle will soon act according to the will of your late father. He will leave you the throne of your father and give his daughter in marriage to you and will retire.”

  ‘One day it so happened that a slave-girl slapped me in my face without any cause. The marks of her five fingers remained on my cheek. With tearful eyes I went to Mubarak. He clasped me to his breast and wiped off my tears with his sleeves and said, “Well, let me take you to the king. Maybe he shows affection on seeing you and considering you mature enough, may give you what is your right.” Immediately he took me t
o my uncle who showed me much affection in his court and asked me, “Why are you sad? How is it that you are here today?” Mubarak replied, “He has something to say to Your Majesty.” On hearing this my uncle himself said, “Now we should marry this young man.” Mubarak said, “It will be most advisable and blessed, Your Majesty.” Immediately my uncle sent for the astrologers and asked them to work out the most auspicious day for our marriage. Acting on the king’s wily orders they made their calculations and said, “The whole of this year is not suitable, Your Majesty. Not a single day in any of the months appears auspicious. Let this whole year pass in peace, the year following seems to be most auspicious.” Looking towards Mubarak the king said, “Take the prince to the seraglio. If God wills it so, I shall give this trust back to him. Let him rest assured and attend to his studies.” Mubarak paid him his respects and took me back to the seraglio.

  ‘Two or three days later I went to Mubarak. When he saw me he burst into tears. I was surprised and said, “What is it? I hope all is well. Why are you weeping?” A well-wisher as he was and as he truly loved me, he said, “Alas, I took you to that tyrant the other day. Had I known this, I wouldn’t have done it!” Alarmed, I asked him, “Well, what harm was there in my going to him? Pray tell me, please!” He said, “All the nobles and viziers and officers of state of your father’s time were pleased to see you. They thanked God that you had grown up and come of age. They said, ‘Our prince is now able to rule. In a few days he will get what rightly belongs to him. He will do us justice and favourably consider our past services.’ This news reached your uncle, the faithless one, and it went through his breast like a serpent. He called me in private and said, ‘Mubarak, kill the prince by some trick and relieve me from this nagging fear. Only then will I feel secure.” Ever since I heard these words I have been greatly disturbed. Your uncle has become your deadly enemy.’ When I heard this I almost died and fell at his feet for fear of my life and said, “For God’s sake, save me by any means. I don’t covet the throne.” A faithful slave as he was, he lifted my head and clasping me to his breast said, “Don’t get disheartened. Life is always like that. I have already thought of a plan. If it goes well, we have not to worry at all; you will be saved and you shall have your desire fulfilled as well.”

  ‘Comforting me thus, he took me with him to the place where the late king, my father, used to stay. This restored my confidence. There I saw a chair. He asked me to help him remove it. Then he rolled the carpet and began to dig the floor till I saw a window underneath which was locked. He called me near him. I became convinced in my heart that he had dug the floor to bury me there after killing me. I saw my death before me. Repeating the creed to myself I quietly and slowly went up to him. Through the window I saw a building with four rooms. In every room there were ten large vases of gold suspended by chains. On the mouth of each vase there was a brick of gold on which was placed the figurine of a monkey studded with precious stones. In all there were thirty-nine vases in the four rooms. Another vase was also there full of gold sovereigns but it had neither the figurine nor the brick of gold on it. I also saw a cistern there full of precious stones. I asked Mubarak, “What is all this, my dear old grand man? And what is this place? And of what use are they?” He said, “The figurines of monkeys you see here have a story behind them. In his youth your father had made friends with Malik Sadiq, the king of the djinn and they used to visit each other. Once a year your father paid him a visit and stayed with him for a month. He carried with him different kinds of scents and perfumes and rarities from this country as presents for him. Each time he took his leave, Malik Sadiq used to give him the figurine of a monkey studded with precious stones. Our king would place them in these underground rooms. No one except me knows of this. Once I said to him, ‘You Majesty, you take rarities and perfumes worth thousands of rupees as presents but bring only the figurine of a monkey in stone! What is the use of all this?’ He smiled at my query and said, ‘Beware, do not disclose it to anyone. Each of these lifeless figurines has a thousand powerful demons at its command. But until I have forty such figurines with me, they are worth nothing and can be of no use.’ So only one monkey-figurine more was all that was needed when the king passed away. Thus all his labour proved fruitless and produced no results.”

  ‘“My dear prince, when I saw you helpless I thought of these figurines. I am now determined to take you somehow to Malik Sadiq and tell him of your uncle’s callousness. Maybe he still remembers his friendship with your father and may give you one more figurine of a monkey that is needed to complete the number. With their aid you may get your empire and reign in peace over China. Also, you will escape the danger to your life. And even if nothing comes of it, I cannot think of any other plan to rescue you from your uncle’s tyranny.” Hearing all this I said to him, “You are the master of my life now. Do what you think best for me.” After comforting me he went to the market to buy some scents and perfumes and other things to present to Malik Sadiq.

  ‘The next day he went to my uncle who was like the second Abu Jahal, and said to him, “O protector of the world, I have thought of a plan to kill the prince. If you please, I may relate it.” That wily one was pleased and asked him to describe his plan. Mubarak said, “To put him to death here will bring you a bad name. I will take him to the woods, kill him and return after burying him there. No one will ever know what has happened to him.” On hearing Mubarak’s plan he said, “Excellent! I only want that he be put to death. The very thought that he is alive disturbs me. If you relieve me of this worry, you will get much in return. Take him anywhere and finish him in any way and bring me the good news.”

  ‘Having thus assured my uncle, the king, Mubarak took me along with him and we left the city at midnight with a lot of presents for Malik Sadiq, the king of the djinn. We went towards the north and kept on proceeding for one full month. One night, as we were going along, Mubarak said, “Thank God, we have reached our destination.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “My dear prince,” he replied, “don’t you see the army of the djinn?” I said, “I see no one except you.” Mubarak took out a little solomon-collyrium and applied it on my eyelids. The moment he did that, I could see the djinn and his people and the tents. All the djinn were good-looking and well-dressed. Recognizing Mubarak, they all embraced him and looked happy to see him there. We thus reached the royal tents. They were well-lit. Seats of different kinds were arranged in double rows. Men of learning and dervishes, nobles and viziers and officers of state were seated on them. Guards and macebearers, servants and other attendants stood there with folded arms to carry out the orders. A throne studded with precious stones was placed in the centre. Malik Sadiq, the king of the djinn, sat there reclining on cushions majestically. He had a crown on his head and wore a dress of pearls. I went up to him and paid my respects. With all kindness he asked me to take my seat. Dinner was ordered. When it was over, Malik Sadiq asked Mubarak about me. Mubarak said, “His uncle now reigns in his father’s place and he has become his deadly enemy. That is why I have run away from there and brought him with me before Your Majesty. He is an orphan and actually the throne belongs to him. But no one can do anything unless one finds a patron to support him. He may get what is by right his only if Your Majesty helps him. Kindly remember the services of his father to you and come to his rescue. Please give him the fortieth figurine of a monkey to complete the number so that he may with their aid get what is rightfully his and always pray for Your Majesty’s life and prosperity. He has no one to seek help from except Your Majesty.”

  ‘On hearing all this Malik Sadiq thought for a while and said, “You are right. I remember the great services of the late king and his friendship with me. I realize the prince is helpless. He is ruined and deprived of his father’s empire. He has come here to seek our protection and help. I realize all this. And you will not find me wanting in generosity. I shall not let him go emty-handed. But presently I am preoccupied with another work; I have to get it done. If he does it and does
not deceive me, if he does it honestly and stands the test, on my word I shall treat him as more than a king and give him whatever he may wish from me.” Joining my hands in respect to him I said, “This humble servant will do all he can to serve Your Majesty. I will put my heart and soul in any work assigned to me. I shall do it with utmost care and diligence and as nicely as I can and thus consider myself most fortunate in this world and the next.” He said, “Look here, you are still a boy. I say it again lest you should deceive me and thus bring trouble to yourself.” I said, “God and the good fortune of Your Majesty will make it easy for me. I shall accomplish it as best as I can and not belie your trust in me.”