Author(s): Andrew Lang

Classic

Having invited his brother, Schahzeman, to pay a royal visit, Schahriar finds hid fraternal guest sadly out of humour. The cause of Schahzeman's ailment is his wife's infidelity, which he has remedied by smiting her and her lover. His mood improves when he discovers that Schahriar is being similarly duped, that faithless spouses are commonplace; but explaining his miraculous recovered leads his brother to take drastic action regarding the occupants of the royal bed. To ensure his consorts' chastity, Schahriar has each new bridge executed on the morning after the nuptials. Eventually, the stock of eligible females is depleted leading Wazir- the supplier of fresh maidenhood in despair. Wazir's daughter, Scheherazade, volunteers herself for the task, armed with nothing but the countless tales she has collected over many years. The stories, always left tantalisingly unfinished at dawn, ensure her safety and that all of the virgins of the kingdom. Arabian Nights tales including the adventures of Sinbad and Aladdin are full of wonder and exotic charm, transporting readers to distant lands that have become part of our imaginative landscape. These are the stories lauded by Robert Stevenson as " more generally loved than Shakespeare"; a collection "that captivates in childhood and still delights in age."