Egyptian Chronicles: Ramadan Arabian Nights 2023: Tale of Mando “A King, a vizier and a water whisper in a garden” #EP2

Ramadan Karim.

Last episode I did not speak much about the televised version of our radio tale, the tale of Mando.

For this year, I chose yet another story that the 1980s generation knew very well because it was presented on TV in 1986 and was a hit show.

It was presented as a Fawzeer Ramadan TV show starring none other than Sherihan, the diva and legendary TV director Fahmy Abdel-Hamid.

It was a mixed hit of Fawzeer Ramadan TV show and One Thousand- and One-Nights show.

For those who do not know, “Fawzeer Ramadan” was an Egyptian state TV show that ran from the 1960s till 2000.

Simply, it involves riddles or “Fawzeer” in a musical form episode and the winners take a prize at the end of the month.

In 1986’s Mando tale, the riddle was about Egyptian proverbs which you can find hints about in the episode especially the song in the last part.

Before we go to our second night or rather episode no.464th of the Egyptian Radio Show, I will tell you that among the guest stars of the televised version of our episode, tonight was none other than the original Scheherazade herself Zozo Nabil as an old mysterious woman.

Also, you can refresh your memory by listening to last night's episode here.

Here is our second episode in audio and below is the synopsis in English.

The synopsis

Verily, the Vizier Kahlan was privy to his King's troubles, for it weighed heavily upon him that he lacked an heir to his throne. The wise and cunning vizier had a suggestion for his overwrought King, who could not fathom why a pauper could father a child while he, a sovereign, could not.

The matter was of utmost importance, for the future of the kingdom was at stake, and it was unclear who would inherit the throne after him. Shahlan, the King, could not help but wonder if there was some malady afflicting him or his Queen.

Though the Vizier Kahlan dismissed such concerns, Shahlan persisted and suggested that if the Queen suffered from some infirmity, then the King should take another wife. The King scoffed at the notion, dismissing it outright, and queried as to whom the vizier would suggest as a suitable consort.

The Vizier Kahlan, unfazed, offered his own daughter Yasmine as a suitable match for the King. The King scoffed at the proposal, but the Vizier persisted, hoping to convince his sovereign of the wisdom in his suggestion.

Despite Shahlan's entreaties, the King remained adamant in his refusal, but he acquiesced to accompany his vizier on a stroll through his garden, where they chanced upon an elderly woman seated upon a marble fountain. The old crone was whispering incantations to the water, beseeching it to rise to her.

The woman at the fountain "Midjourney"

The Vizier Kahlan, taken aback, asked the woman who she was in a harsh tone, but the King, ever the gracious host, intervened and asked her kindly. The old woman spoke in riddles and wise words, telling the two men that she whispered to the water and even demonstrating it for them.

The King offered to grant her any wish she desired, and the old woman replied that she would gift him something from her fortune sack. She asked his name and prayed to God to bless him according to his intentions, then bid him to put his hand in the sack by the name of the Merciful to find his fate.

Ignoring the concerns of his vizier, the King placed his hand in the sack by the name of the Merciful to receive his fortune, which we shall discover, God willing, tomorrow night.