A Tale of Four Dervishes (Penguin Classics)

by Mir Amman

  ‘Reassured, Malik Sadiq called me near him. Taking out a piece of paper from his pocketbook, he showed it to me and said, “Find the girl whose portrait this is wherever she may be and bring her to me. When you meet her, tell her at once of my fondness for her. If you do this service to me, I shall assist you and give you much more than what you expect from me, or else as you sow, so shall you reap.” When I looked at the paper I saw such a beautiful portrait that I nearly fainted. I managed myself with great difficulty and said, “Very well, sir. With Your Majesty’s permission I take my leave. God willing I shall accomplish the task entrusted to me by Your Majesty.”

  ‘With these words I took Mubarak with me and left. I wandered about from place to place in every country and inquired of every one I happened to meet about the lady whose portrait I carried with me. Nobody knew anything about her. No one had even heard of her. For seven years I wandered about facing difficulties and suffering pain till I reached a city. It had magnificent buildings and was densely populated. Everyone there recited the Great Name of God and worshipped Him. I saw there a blind beggar from India begging alms. But no one gave him even a penny or a mouthful of food. I was painfully surprised and took pity on him. Taking out a gold sovereign from my pocket I placed it in his hand. He took it and said, “You are so generous. May God reward you for it. You seem to be a traveller here, not one of this place.” I said, “Of course, only today have I arrived in this city. For seven years I have wandered about and ruined myself. But still I have not seen any trace of what I had set out for.” The old man blessed me and asked me to follow him. When we reached outside the city I saw a grand mansion. He entered it. I followed him and found that at many places the walls were in disrepair and had given way. I said to myself, “This place could well have been the palace of kings and princes. What a grand palace it must have been indeed when new and in order. Alas, how desolate and deserted does it look now! I don’t understand why it is left in this condition. And why does this blind man put up here?” As the blind man went ahead of us, feeling his way with his stick, I heard a voice saying, “Father, I hope all is well. Why have you come back so early today?” The old man said, “Daughter, God made this traveller kind to me. He gave me a gold coin. It is long since I have had a bellyful of good food. I have brought meat and condiments and flour and salt with me. I have also brought some cloth for you. Make yourself clothes from it and wear them. Prepare the food frist so that we may pray for the welfare of this generous man after having our meals. We do not know what he has in his heart but God knows and sees all. May God grant our prayers!”

  ‘When I heard about their starving condition I thought of giving them twenty gold sovereigns more but when I looked towards the place from where the voice had come, I saw a woman who looked exactly like the original of the portrait I had. Comparing it I found there was really no difference at all between the two. A deep sigh issued from my heart and I fainted. Mubarak took me in his arms and began to fan me. When I recovered I still stared at her. Mubarak asked me, “What is the matter?” I was not yet able to reply when the beautiful lady said, “Fear God, young man. Do not stare at a woman not related to you. Everyone should observe modesty.” So nicely did she say these words that I was as struck by her good manners as by her beauty. Mubarak comforted me much but how could he know what I felt in my heart?” Finding myself desperate I said, “O creatures of God, who put up at this place, I am a poor traveller here. It will be so charitable of you if you call me near you and give me a little room to stay.” The blind man called me near him and recognizing me by my voice embraced me and conducted me to the quarter where that beautiful woman was. She hid herself in a corner. The old man asked me to relate to him my story, why I had left my home and wandered about and who was it that I had been in search of. I did not mention Malik Sadiq at all and related to him a half-true story saying, “This unfortunate being is the prince of China. My father is still the king. This portrait was purchased from a merchant for many hundred thousand silver coins. Ever since I first saw it I have lost my peace of mind and disguising myself as a mendicant I have wandered about the whole world in search of her and have at last found her here.” The old man heaved a sigh and said, “My dear friend, my daughter has been under a curse. No man dare marry and enjoy her love.” I said, “Will you please explain it to me?” The old man said:

  ‘“Listen! I was a noble at the king’s court, an honourable man of this wretched city. My ancestors were much esteemed and came of a renowned stock. God blessed me with this daughter. When she came of age her beauty and good manners became the talk of the city. They said she was such a beauty that even a fairy or houri, far less a human being, would be put to shame before her. The prince of this city also heard all that praise about her beauty and even without seeing her fell in love with her. He gave up taking his meals and confined himself to his own apartment. The king came to know of it and called me in private at night. He proposed marriage between the prince and my daughter. He persuaded me much and finally I accepted. I actually thought that as a daughter had been born to me and had to be married to someone, what could be better than to give her in marriage to a prince? Moreover, the king also would be obliged. Having given him my consent I took my leave. From that very day marriage preparations were made by both the parties. The Qazis and Muftis, the learned and the nobles assembled on an auspicious day and the marriage rites were performed. The bride was taken away in a grand stately manner and all the ceremonies came to a happy end. At night when the bridegroom wished to consummate the marriage, a thundering noise was heard from inside the room. All the guards at the gate were surprised. They attempted to open the door to find out what the matter was. But it was locked securely from the inside and they could not open it. After a short while the noise died down. They broke the door open and found the bridegroom with his head severed and body weltered in blood on the floor. The bride also rolled senseless in her husband’s blood and foamed at her mouth. All those present there were shocked by the horrible sight. Such a tragic grief followed those festivities. The news was conveyed to the king. He ran to the spot beating his breast. All the officers of state hurriedly assembled but nobody could unravel the mystery. In his agony the king ordered that the head of the abominable bride too be severed from her body. The moment the king gave this order the thundering noise was heard again. The king was alarmed and ran for his life and ordered the bride to be turned out of the palace. The female attendants brought her to my house. The mysterious event was talked about all over the country and everyone was surprised to hear it. The king and all the citizens here became my enemies because of the prince’s murder.

  ‘“When the customary forty days of mourning were over, the king conferred with the officers of state regarding their next step. All of them said, ‘Nothing else can be done except that for Your Majesty’s consolation and peace of mind the girl, along with her father may be put to death and their property be confiscated.’ This punishment was announced and the police chief of the city was ordered to carry it out. He got my house surrounded by guards and blew the trumpet at the gate. But as they made to enter the house to carry out the commands of the king, there was a heavy shower of bricks and stones over them. They could not stand it and ran away wherever they could to save themselves. The king himself heard a dreadful voice in his palace which said, ‘Why do you seek your doom? Are you possessed by some demon? If you wish yourself safe and secure, don’t be intent on harassing that beauty, or else you will meet the same fate as your son did by marrying her. If you persecute them, you will have to bear terrible consequences too.’ The king was so terrified that he fell sick. Immediately he ordered that no one should torture us or have any relations with us and let us remain in our house without oppression.

  ‘“From that very day, the conjurers and exorcists, taking it to be the work of some evil spirit, recite incantations and perform their exorcism to destroy its effects and all the citizens here recite the Qur’an and the Great Name of God
. This has been going on, yet the mystery has remained unsolved. I also do not know anything about it. Only once I asked my daughter what she had seen. She said, ‘I know nothing except that when my husband wished to perform the nuptial rites, I saw the roof instantly cracked and a throne studded with precious stones appeared through it. A handsome young man in a royal dress was seated on it. There were many persons in his attendance and they prepared themselves to murder the prince. The young man, their chief, came to me and said, “Now, my love, where shall you escape from me?” They had the appearance of men but their feet were like those of goats. My heart palpitated fast and I fainted from fear and anguish. I do not know what happened after that’.

  ‘“Since then the two of us have been living here in this condition. Our friends and relations too have turned their backs on us so as not to offend the king. When I go out to beg alms no one gives me the smallest coin. They do not even like me to stand before their shops. This unfortunate girl has not even a rag to cover her body nor sufficient food to sustain herself. I only wish to God that our lives end soon or that the earth opens and swallows this unfortuante girl. Death is better than a meaningless life like this. God has perhaps sent you for our good that you took pity on me and gave me a coin of gold. We now have good food and clothes for her. We thank God and pray for your welfare. Had she not been possessed by some evil spirit or a jinnee or whatever it is, I would have given her to you as a slave to serve you and would have thought myself fortunate. This is the story of this humble being. Do not think of her and shake off this idea from your mind.”

  ‘After hearing this sad story, I earnestly requested the old man to accept me as his son-in-law and said, “Whatever evil my fate has in store for me, let it come.” But he did not agree. When the evening set in I came to the serai after taking leave of him. Mubarak said, “Rejoice now, my dear prince. God has made the conditions favourable to you; your labour has not gone to waste.” I said, “However much I flattered the blind old man today he did not agree. God knows if he ever will.” In such a state of mind I knew no rest for the whole night and wished the day to dawn so that I might go there again. Sometimes I thought that if he should be kind enough to agree, Mubarak would take her to Malik Sadiq. And then I would say to myself, “Well, first let me get her just once, I will somehow persuade Mubarak to let me enjoy her charms.” But then I became alarmed at the thought that even if Mubarak agreed, I would meet the same fate as the prince had met at the hands of the djinn, and that how could the king of that country tolerate someone else enjoying her charms while his son had been murdered. In short, the whole night I could not sleep and remained entangled in such disturbing thoughts.

  ‘When it was daylight, I bought some pieces of fine cloth and lace and some fresh and dry fruits from the market and went to the old man. He was pleased to receive me and said, “Life is dearest to all. I will not withhold even my life if it could be of any use to you. I may give my daughter to you just now but I fear that it will put your life in danger and I will have to bear the stigma till the Day of Judgment.” I said, “I have no one to help me in this city and you are like a father to me. Consider what pains and troubles I have taken and how I have ruined myself in search of her till I reached here and found her. By the grace of God you have also been kind to me and have consented to give her in marriage to me. But now you are wavering on account of my safety. Please try to be just and think what religion will allow saving one’s head from the sword of love and the skull from its dangers. Come what may, I have given myself away in every way. To me life is just the union with my beloved. I may remain alive or I may die, I do not care for it at all. Know it, please, if I remain despairing I will die before my death and you will be responsible for it on the Day of Judgment.” In short, one month passed in hope and despair. Everyday I went to the old man and tried to make him agree to my proposal of marriage with his daughter.

  ‘It so happened that the old man fell ill. I devotedly nursed him during his illness. I would carry his urine for check-up to the physician and whatever medicines he prescribed, I administered to the old man as advised. I would also prepare the special food for him and feed him myself. One day he was unusually kind to me and said, “Young man, you are a stubborn fellow. I have told you of all my apprehensions to shake off this idea from your mind. However much I impress upon you that life is most precious and that nothing has any meaning without it, yet you become unnecessarily adamant and determined to jump into the abyss. Well, if you so persist I shall speak of it to my daughter today. Let me see what she says.”

  ‘O holy men of God, I was overjoyed to hear this good news. I paid my respects to the old man and said, “This is it. Only now have you thought of giving me my life.” Taking leave of him I came to my place and passed the whole night talking about it to Mubarak. I even forgot to eat and sleep. Early in the morning I went again to the old man and paid my respects to him. He said, “Well, now I give you my daughter. God bless you. May God protect you both. As long as I live, remain with me. When I am no more you will be free to do as you please.”

  ‘A few days later, the old man passed away. We mourned his death and buried his dead body there. After performing the rites on the third day of his death, Mubarak brought the old man’s beautiful daughter in a palanquin to the caravanserai and said to me, “As she is, she belongs pure and untouched to Malik Sadiq. Beware, let there be no breach of trust and let not your labours go to waste.” I said, “Where is Malik Sadiq here? My heart does not submit. How shall I restrain myself? Come what may, whether I live or die, let me enjoy her charms now.” Mubarak lost his patience at this. He threatened me and said, “Don’t be childish. In a moment you will find all of it dreadfully changed. Do you think Malik Sadiq cannot reach us here that you want to disobey him? He told you the pros and cons of the matter and warned you of the consequences if you tried to deceive him. If you carry out his commands and take her safe to him he may favourably consider the troubles you have taken for him and may even give her to you because, after all, he is himself a king. And what a great thing it would be: you will continue to be friends with him and get your beloved as well.”

  ‘Due to these apprehensions and Mubarak’s admonitions I remained disturbed but said nothing. We bought two fast camels and set out for the country of Malik Sadiq. As we went on we heard loud noises coming from a plain. Mubarak said, “Thank God, our fret and toil has not been in vain. Look there, the army of the djinn has arrived.” He greeted the djinn and asked them where they were going. They replied, “The king has sent us to receive you. Now we are at your disposal. If you wish, we may carry you there before him in a trice.” Mubarak said, “Consider the labour and pain we have taken and that is how God has exalted us in the eyes of the king. Why make haste now? If, God forbid, there is some trouble, our whole labour will go to waste and the king may also be displeased.” All of them said, “This is entirely up to you. Proceed as you please.” So we journeyed along night and day.

  ‘When we were near the place where the king of the dijnn was and I saw that Mubarak had fallen asleep, I seized the opportunity and fell at that beauty’s feet. I burst into tears and earnestly related to her my restlessness and helpless condition because of the threats of Malik Sadiq and said, “Ever since I have seen your portrait I have denied myself food and rest. And now that God has given me this opportunity, I am likely to be separated from you.” She said, “I also wish to be with you. Indeed, you have undergone so much trouble and pain for me. I know what you have endured for me. But always remember God and forget me not. Let us see what happens and what the unknown has in store for us.” With these words she wept so bitterly that she choked. Such was her condition and so, too, was mine. Mubarak woke up. Seeing us weeping so bitterly he said, “Be comforted, I have an oily lotion with me. I shall rub it on her rose-like body. Its smell will be repulsive to Malik Sadiq and so he may give her to you.” We were comforted to hear this. I fondly embraced him and said, “You are like a father to me. My ve
ry life was saved because of you. Now also do something that may revive my hopes or else I will die of this grief.” He comforted me again.

  ‘When the day dawned, we heard the voices of the djinn and found that many personal attendants of Malik Sadiq had arrived. They had brought two rich robes of honour for us and also a palanquin covered with pearls. Mubarak applied the oil on that beauty’s body and got her richly dressed. Then we carried her in the palanquin to Malik Sadiq. The king showed me much respect and exalted me by giving me a seat near him and said, “I shall treat you so nicely as no one has done before. You already have the kingdom of your father for you. Besides, you are now as a son to me.” He was talking to me kindly when that fair beauty came before him. The smell of the oil disturbed him. He actually felt so disgusted that, unable to bear it, he went out. He called Mubarak and me after him. Turning to Mubarak he said, “So, this is how you have kept your word! I had warned you that if you deceived me you would fall under my wrath. What smell is this? Now you will see what you receive in return from me!” He was highly offended. Mubarak was so terrified that he loosened his trousers and showing his state of castration said, “Your Majesty, I had set out on this job only after I had got my sign amputated and after applying Solomon-ointment had left it sealed in a box with Your Majesty’s Treasurer.” Hearing Mubarak’s reply, he looked at me indignantly and said, “So it is you who has done it!” He was much enraged and began to rebuke me. It appeared from his looks and whatever he said that he would put me to death. Realizing this, I feared for my life and taking the dagger from Mubarak’s girdle, thrust it into the king’s belly. He doubled up and staggered. I wondered if I had really killed him for I did not think that the wound was so severe as to cause his death. How was it, then? I was looking at him when he rolled on the ground and turning himself into a ball he soared up into the sky. So high up did he go that he disappeared from sight. After a while like lightning he came down babbling in anger, loud as thunder, and gave me such a kick that I felt dizzy and fell flat on my back and my heart sank. I cannot say how long I lay unconscious. When I recovered I found myself lying in a wilderness where there was nothing but thorn bushes and briars and wild plum-trees. I pulled myself together but could not think of what to do or where to go. Frustrated and despaired, I heaved a sigh and just set out. I inquired of everyone I came across about Malik Sadiq. But everyone took me to be a mad man and said that they had never heard of him.