"A medieval Arab fantasy collection"--Cover. Includes bibliographical references (pages xxxix-xl).
Contents:
The story of the King of the Two Rivers, Saihun and Jaihun, his son Kaukab and his experience with the Chamberlain Ghasb. An astonishing tale -- The story of Talha, the son of the Qadi of Fustat, and what happened to him with his slave girl Tuhfa and how she was taken away from him and what hardships befell until there was relief after grief -- The story of the six men: the hunchbacked, the one-eyed, the blind, the crippled, the man whose lips had been cut off and the seller of glassware -- The story of the four hidden treasures and the strange things that occurred. The first quest. The story of the second quest, with its marvels and terrors. The story of the third quest, for the crown. The story of the forth quest, for the golden tube -- The story of the forty girls and what happened to them with the Prince -- The story of Julnar of the sea and the marvels of the sea encountered by her -- The story of 'Arus al-'Ara'is and her deceit, as well as the wonders of the seas and islands -- The story of Budhar and 'Umair Son of Jubair al-Shaibani with al-Khali' the Damascan, with news and poetry about them -- The story of Abu Disa, nicknamed the Bird, and the marvels of his strange and comical story -- The story of Sul and Shumul with reports with poetry, and how Shumul was abducted, as well as what ordeals her cousin Sul faced and how the two were reunited. It is a mavellous tale -- The story of Abu Muhammad the Idle and the marvels he encountered with the ape as well as the marvels of the seas and islands -- The story of Miqdad and Mayasa, together with poetry and reports, and the conversion of Miqdad and Mayasa at the hand of 'Ali Son of Abu Talib, the Exalted by God -- The story of Sakhr and al-Khansa' and of Miqdam and Haifa'. With poetry and prose -- The story of Sa'id Son of Hatim al-Bahili and the marvels he encountered at sea and with the Monk Simeon -- The story of Muhammad the Foundling and Harun al-Rashid -- The story of Ashraf and Anjab and the marvellous things that happened to them -- The story of the Talisman Mountain and its marvels -- The story of Mahliya and Mauhub and the white-footed gazelle. It contains strange and marvellous things.
Summary:
Dating from at least a millennium ago, this title features the earliest known Arabic short stories, surviving in a single, ragged manuscript in a library in Istanbul. It features monsters, lost princes, jewels beyond price, a princess turned into a gazelle, sword-wielding statues and shocking reversals of fortune.
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