Crimson Fairy Book

Chapter 35 The story of the ambitious tailor and fake prince (1)
Once upon a time there was a respectable young tailor named Rabakan who worked for a clever master in Alexandria.Rabakan is neither stupid nor lazy, and when he wants to work, he does it quickly and well.On the whole, though, there was something wrong with him.Sometimes, he threaded the needle quickly, as if he was sewing burning thread with a hot needle in his hand, and sometimes he would just sit there in a daze.At this time, his colleagues will say, "Rabakan has become an aristocrat again today."

Every Friday, he goes to the mosque in a high-end abaya that he has saved up for.On the way home after praying, if a friend greets him with "Hello" or "Rabakan friend, how are you?" he will wave his hand gracefully or nod condescendingly.His master would sometimes say, "Rabakan, you really look like a prince sometimes," to which Rabakan would happily reply, "You've noticed that too" or "Oh, I've always felt like one."

So things went on for a long time, and his master put up with his absurdities, after all, he was, on the whole, a good man, and a clever tailor.

One day, the Sultan's younger brother happened to pass through Alexandria. He wanted to change an official robe, so he sent someone to find a master tailor. As a result, the official robe was in the hands of Rabakan, because he was the best in the area. tailor.

In the evening, after everyone had left the shop and went home, a strong desire brought Rabakan to the shop where the official robes hung.He stood there, staring fixedly at the official robe, admiring the luxurious fabric and exquisite embroidery.Finally, he couldn't bear it anymore.He felt he must try.My God, look, that official robe fits like it was custom made for him!
"Is it because I am a prince that I am worse than others?" He asked himself as he paced the room, "Didn't my master always say that I was born like a prince?"

He felt that he must be the son of some unknown king, so he finally decided to set off immediately to find his rightful identity.

He felt that this gorgeous official robe must have been given to him by some kind fairy, so he carefully put away the official robe, took out all his savings, and escaped from the city of Alexandria in the dark.

Wherever the new "prince" went, he attracted many curious eyes, because his rich official robes and elegant manner were not suitable for walking.If anyone asked him, he would cryptically reply that he had reasons for not riding.

But before long, he himself found that walking was ridiculous, so he bought a slow old horse at a low price.

One day, he was strolling forward on this horse named Mowa.A young man on horseback caught up and begged to go with him, so that the two of them could talk and pass the time along the way.Not only was the young man bright, cheerful and handsome, he was also very talkative and asked Rabakan a lot of questions.He told Rabakan that his name was Omar and that he was Effie Bey's nephew, and that he was traveling to carry out orders from his uncle who was sick.Rabakan did not tell the young man what was on his mind, but he hinted that the young man himself was of noble origin and that the trip was purely for entertainment.

The two hit it off very well, so they decided to go together.The next day Rabakan asked the young man what order was to be carried out, and he was surprised to hear this story:

Effie Bey, a high-ranking official in Cairo, raised Omar, who never knew his parents.Effie Bay, who was on the sickbed, called Omar and told him that he was actually not his nephew, but the son of a king.The king heard from the astrologer that it was dangerous for the prince to stay in the palace, so he followed the advice and sent the prince out of the palace, and vowed not to see him until his 22nd birthday.

Effie Bay didn't tell Omar his father's name, but made it clear that he must walk east from Alexandria for four days. On the fourth day of this month, which is his 22nd birthday, he will reach a large pillar beside.Effie Bay handed him a dagger and asked him to pass it to people when he saw them, saying to them, "I'm the one you're looking for."

If they said, "Thank the Prophet for protecting you," he should have followed them to his father the king.

Rabakan listened to this relishing story in surprise, and when it was over, he couldn't help but looked up at Prince Omar enviously.He was furious at the thought that Omar would get the position he coveted.He began to compare himself with Omar, who, he had to admit, was imposing, elegant, and eloquent.

However, he also thought that if he entered the palace and acted as a prince, the king would like him too.

These thoughts haunted him all day, and even his dreams at night were all about it.He woke up early and saw that Omar was still sleeping peacefully, with a happy smile on his face, and a thought flashed in his mind: no matter by robbing or cheating, he wanted to get these things that fate did not give him.

The dagger that served as a pass was pinned to Omar's belt.Rabakan took it off gently, and hesitated for a moment whether he should stab the knife into the sleeping prince's heart.However, he finally gave up the idea of ​​killing people, fastened the dagger to his belt, and set off on Omar's fast horse.When the prince woke up and found that he had lost his things, Rabakan had already run several miles away.

For two days in a row, Rabakan didn't stop, he was afraid that Omar would rush ahead of him to the meeting place.On the second night, he saw the big pillar from a distance. This pillar is located on a hill in the middle of the plain, so it can be seen from a long distance.Rabakan's heart was pounding, and although he had spent a long time preparing for the role he was about to play, his conscience was still a little disturbed.However, supported by the idea that he was born to be a king, he bravely moved forward.

The surroundings are desolate and bare, thanks to the new "prince" who has brought some dry food, because he will be waiting here for two days.

At noon the next day, he saw a long procession of horses and camels coming towards him.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, the team stopped and began to set up gorgeous tents.As if they were escorting someone important.Rabakan guessed they were coming for him.But he controlled his uneasiness. He knew that his dream would come true only on the fourth day.

The first rays of the sun woke up the happy tailor.He was a little rueful as he saddled his saddle for the post.I shouldn't make such a joke, the real prince must be very depressed.However, there was no turning back when he opened the bow. His vanity told him that he was as dignified as the prince in the eyes of the proud king. Besides, what should have happened has already happened.

With these thoughts flashing through his head, he mustered up the courage to jump on the horse, and in less than a quarter of an hour he was at the foot of the mountain.He jumped off his horse, tied it to a bush, took out Prince Omar's dagger and climbed up the hill.

There are six people standing under the pillar, surrounded by a tall and dignified person.The cashmere shawl tied around his rich gilt robe and the jeweled white turban belied him as a man of wealth and status.

Rabakan went straight to this man, bent down and kowtowed, handed over the dagger, and said, "I am the man you are looking for."

"Thank the Prophet for protecting you!" said the old man with tears of happiness in his eyes, "Hug me, my dear son Omar!"

The proud tailor was deeply moved by the solemn words. He was ashamed and happy, and threw himself into the old king's arms.

However, this happiness did not last long.When he looked up, he saw a man driving a horse too tired to walk across the plain.

Rabakan recognized at once his own Mamova and the real prince Omar, but, having lied, he resolved never to admit his deceit.Finally, the rider came to the foot of the mountain.He jumped off his horse and rushed to the post.

"Stop!" he shouted. "Whoever you are, please don't be fooled by an imposter. I am Omar, and no one can take my name away."

The sudden event took bystanders by surprise.The old king looked from one face to another, and seemed very excited.Finally, Rabakan said calmly: "My most noble majesty, as far as I know, he is the apprentice of a mad tailor in Alexandria, named Rabakan. You don't have to be angry with this poor guy."

This remark angered the prince.Angry, he wanted to push Rabakan, but the guards rushed up and grabbed him tightly.Then the King said, "My dear son, you are right, the poor fellow is mad. Bind him and put him on a dromedary. Perhaps we can help him."

The prince calmed down a little, and he cried to the king with tears in his eyes: "My heart tells me that you are my father and king. In the name of my mother, please listen to my explanation."

"Oh, dear!" said the King, "he is talking nonsense again. How could the poor man have such thoughts?"

Having said this, the king took Rabakan by the hand and helped him down the mountain.The two of them rode across the plain on their richly decorated horses, followed by a mighty crowd.

The poor prince was tied hand and foot to a dromedary, and a guard on either side watched him dead.

The old king was called Sashid, and he was the Sultan of the Washabeci tribe.After many years without children, he finally expected the birth of a son.However, when he consulted the prophets and astrologers about the child's future, they all said that until the child was 22 years old, he would always be in danger and would be killed by the enemy.Therefore, for the safety of the child, the king entrusted the prince to his trusted friend Effie Bay, and he lost 22 years of happy time with the child.The king told all this to Rabakan, and he admired Rabakan's appearance and manner very much.

When they returned to their country, they were warmly welcomed.The news of the prince's safe return spread like wind, and all the small towns and villages were decorated with new decorations, and the residents flocked to them with gratitude and joy.Rabakan was intoxicated with pride, while the poor prince followed the procession in silent rage and despair.

At last they came to the capital, whose inhabitants were more fanatical than anywhere else.Surrounded by her courtiers, the queen greeted them in the halls of the palace.At this time, it was already dark, and hundreds of colored lights were hung in the hall, just like daytime.

The brightest lights hung around the throne on which the Queen sat, on four steps of pure gold studded with amethysts.The four ministers held up a crimson silk canopy for the queen, and the beautiful men of Medina fanned the queen with peacock feathers.

Thus the queen waited for her husband and son.Since Omar was born, she has not seen her son, but she has seen him in countless dreams, and she knows that even in the crowd, she can recognize him with the memory of her dreams.

The sound of gongs, drums and shouts outside announced the arrival of the long-awaited moment.The door opened, and surrounded by rows of bowed ministers and attendants, the king walked towards the throne with his so-called son.

"This," he said, "is the son you have been waiting for for many years."

The Queen interrupted him: "This is not my son!" she cried, "this is not the face that the Prophet showed me in the dream!"

(End of this chapter)