One Thousand and One Nights - 47. The Story of the First Old Man and the Doe.

Welcome to the Treasure Trove of Folktales, a magical collection of stories that have inspired generations. Embark on a mythical journey with heroes, fairies, and enchanting creatures, opening the door to a world of imagination and emotion. The Story of the First Old Man and the Doe. Dear King, in the vast, fiery desert of the east, when the sun was setting, behind the purple mountains, the wind blew from the north, swirling with the scent of dry grass and red dust. There was an eyed old man with a limp, carrying on his shoulder an old leather bag, leaning on an ebony stick, polished by years. He was one of the three old men who had stopped before the Dragon Throne of the Mighty King, where the story of the Thousand and One Nights began to unfold, like a magic carpet. The old man did not walk alone. Beside him, tied with a thin silken cord, was a beautiful doe. Her fur was as shiny as gold. Her eyes were wet, sparkling like two rubies. But that gaze, not only pure, it also carried a mysterious pain, a mysterious resentment, as if the animal contained a deep, unspoken secret. When the three old men appeared before the King, each brought a thrilling story to ask for forgiveness for a merchant. And this was the story that the First Old Man told. His voice was deep, trembling, but full of mysterious twists and turns. In ancient times, when he was still young and strong, the old man was a merchant, rich and prestigious. He had many camels, caravans, full granaries of wheat, and shining chests of silver and gold. But all of that wealth could not compare to his greatest happiness. Three wise sons and a virtuous, virtuous wife. His home was once filled with laughter. On summer nights, he sat on the white stone porch, listening to the oud of his eldest son, the clear singing of his second son, and the dreamy stories of his youngest son. His wife always sat beside him, her eyes filled with love. He thought he was the happiest man in the world. However, fate was cruel and unpredictable. In a harsh winter, when the sandstorm rose like a knife, an incident finally happened. His gentle wife was sweet and caring. But deep down, she carried within her a power that he did not know, ancient magic. She was the daughter of a line of magicians, and when she married him, she hid it, burying the past in silence. As time passed, her heart gradually changed. Not because her love for her husband had run out, but because of a dark jealousy. The wife believed that her husband loved his three, children more than her, giving them all his attention, wealth, and joy. In her eyes, he gradually became the traitor to her first love. One dark moonlit night, when he was away on a business trip, she stood before the ancestral altar, lit incense, poured wine, and whispered ancient spells in a lost language. The fire, revealing the shadow of the darkness. She prayed to the gods to give her the power to punish her And then, the magic rose within her. When he returned from his business trip, the horror that awaited him was that his three sons were no longer human. The eldest son turned into a strong buffalo, his eyes blazing with anger. The second son turned into a wild wolf, his gray fur standing, on end, howling all day long. The youngest son transformed into a little lion, howled in pain, as if he was not used to his new appearance. The old man fell down, holding his head and crying, while his wife stood there looking on with a cold smile. She said, I have given them a worthy form. They have taken away your heart. Haha, from now on you only have me. But when she saw her husband fall, she suddenly softened. However, jealousy blinded her and she could not undo the curse. Seeing him, only knowing how to cry, she became even angrier, thinking that he still loved his son more than her. In her anger, she chanted the spell again, and this time, transformed him into an ugly doe. A weak, fragile body, trembling legs, the voice disappeared, only a mournful cry remained. He, a once famous merchant, was now just a small animal, chained in the yard. She laughed cruelly. From now on, you will live as an animal, to feel the pain that I have experienced. But fate has not closed the door yet. One gloomy morning, when his wife was away, he, in the form of a doe, struggled, broke the chains, and escaped into the vast desert. Running and running through palm forests, dry streams, mountains and hills, he collapsed before a monastery, hidden deep in a ravine. There, a kind-hearted sorceress resided. She realized that this was no ordinary animal. She caressed him, recited a spell, and discovered the truth. This was a cursed human. The sorceress promised to find every way to save him. She tried to break the curse, but his wife's magic was too strong. After many days and nights, the sorceress could only help him regain his human form for a short time, then turn back into a doe. He burst into tears and told the whole story. The sorceress sighed. I cannot resist, completely, that dark magic. But if you are patient enough, I will show you how to survive and find a chance to escape. So, he began his long days of wandering. By day, he was a man. By night, he was a doe, and vice versa. On his journeys, he passed through many mysterious lands. Forests, where trees made out of whispers, each leaf seemed to be an eye watching him. Mountains, where blue fire burned all night, the souls of wanderers, gathered. Abandoned castles, where the mournful sound of a lute echoed from the cracked walls. In each place, he met strange people, hermits, priests, travelers, and even spirits. Each one gave him a piece of knowledge, a little strength and much advice. But the pain was still there. The three children were cursed, and he did not know whether they were alive or dead. So, one day, he decided to return to his hometown to face his cruel wife, whom he had loved so much. At that time, she had become a famous witch, worshipped by many. He, in the form of a deer, rushed into the great hall. But before his wife could cast a spell, the kind sorceress disappeared and fought with him against the witch. The battle was terrible. The sky was black, thunder and lightning roared, the earth cracked and fire erupted from the ground. The witch transformed into a black dragon. The sorceress transformed into a red phoenix. They collided, creating dazzling rays of light. Finally, the sorceress won, sealing his wife in a stone tablet. The curse was broken, the three children returned to human form, and he also escaped from the doe body. But the joy did not last long. In the battle, the sorceress was seriously wounded. She smiled, gave him a shining gem and said, This is my soul, take it with you. When the darkness returns, remember me. After saying this, she turned into ashes. As for him, he and his three children hugged each other and cried bitterly. But from then on, his heart was never the same. Even though he escaped the curse, he still kept the doe by his side as a symbol of fate, as an unforgettable memory. The old man finished telling, gently caressing the doe standing next to him. His tears rolled down on his wrinkled face after many ups and downs and suffering. Your majesty, that is why this one travels the world with a doe. It is the vestige of the years of injustice that I have endured. If my story moves your majesty, please forgive the merchant. When the old man finished speaking, the palace was silent. But in Scheherazade's eyes, there was still a mischievous light, as if she still held in her hands countless wonders. She bowed her head before the king and softly said, Your majesty, if you find the previous story full of magic, sorrow, and selfishness, then please listen to the next story. It is not only about magic, but also about gorgeous beauty, evil plots, and eternal love. That is the story of the mysterious Princess Dariabar. The tale has come to an end, yet the magic of these legends lives on in your heart.