Brief Summary
This story revolves around an old, wealthy Emir and his young, beautiful wife, whose high desires clash with her husband's inability to satisfy them. The narrative explores themes of lust, modesty, betrayal, and justice. The Emir's trust is shattered when he discovers his wife's infidelity, leading to a divorce and consequences for all involved.
- The Emir's wife, despite her outward modesty, secretly indulges in her desires with young men.
- A loyal servant reveals the wife's betrayal, leading the Emir to investigate and confirm the infidelity.
- The story concludes with the Emir divorcing his wife, punishing the young men, and rewarding the truthful servant.
Intro
The story introduces a young, beautiful woman with strong desires married to an old Emir. Despite her apparent modesty, she harbors secret lusts. The narrative sets the stage for a tale of hidden secrets and shocking revelations within the Emir's household.
The Emir and His Wife
The Emir's wife is described as exceptionally beautiful, pure, and modest, captivating the Emir with her decency. She maintains a facade of modesty, even covering herself in front of fish, fearing they might tempt her to sin. However, her youthful desires are intense, leading her to frequently request intimacy with her aging husband, who often declines due to his age and fatigue. Despite her dissatisfaction, she remains with the Emir due to his wealth.
The Discovery
While the Emir is away buying fish for his garden, his wife's modesty is further highlighted when she veils herself upon seeing the fish, fearing a male fish might see her face. This act reinforces her image of purity in the Emir's eyes. However, a servant observes her behavior and reacts with a bitter smile, hinting at a hidden truth.
The Servant's Revelation
The Emir notices the servant's mocking smile and questions him about it. Initially hesitant, the servant eventually reveals that during the Emir's hunting trips, his wife would entertain four young men in the cellar. The Emir is enraged and initially disbelieves the servant, defending his wife's honor. The servant insists on his truthfulness and offers to prove his claim, risking severe punishment if he fails.
The Emir's Investigation
The Emir pretends to go on another hunting trip and instructs the servant to hide him in a wine jar and take him to his wife's gathering. The servant does so, and the Emir witnesses his wife reveling with the young men, confirming the servant's story. He observes her behavior, contrasting her supposed modesty with her actual actions.
Confrontation and Consequences
The Emir confronts his wife with her infidelity, revealing that he witnessed her behavior. She admits to her actions, citing her youth and his inability to satisfy her desires, and confessing she married him for his wealth. The Emir, heartbroken and betrayed, divorces her, confiscates her wealth, and seeks justice for the young men involved.
Justice and Conclusion
The Emir releases the young men from the cellar and asks them about their experience. They explain that they were lured into the house and held captive, feasting with the wife whenever the Emir was away. The Emir punishes the young men for their involvement and rewards the servant for his honesty. The story concludes by posing a question about who is more at fault in such a situation, inviting viewers to share their thoughts.
