Ramadan Arabian Nights 2025 : The Tale of Fatima, Halima and Karima “The token of gratitude” EP.18

Ramadan Kareem

Before we continue our tale and know what Rima will do in the realm of Jinn after saving the life of their mighty Sultan Golan, here is our quick trivia.

In the radio version, Fatima, Halima, and Karima are portrayed by three different actresses, as you can tell from their distinct voices. However, in the television adaptation, all three characters are played by the same actress—the diva herself, Sherihan. She presents them as triplets with personalities reminiscent of the Powerpuff Girls, but without the superpowers: Fatima is the serious one, Halima is bubbly, and Karima is prideful.

That would be the most successful and popular season of the TV One Thousand and One Nights Sherihan had presented on screen. 

So, without further delay, here is the 690th episode of our Arabian Nights Egyptian radio show—or the 18th night in this year’s tale, The Tale of Fatima, Halima, and Karima

Episode 18: The token of gratitude

    When the six hundred and ninety-first night had arrived, King Shahryar took his seat as he had the previous evening, and Scheherazade entered at her usual time. The king welcomed her warmly, admired her beauty, and seated her in the place of highest honor. Then, Scheherazade began to recount her tale:

"It has reached me, O wise and fortunate king, that when Reema fell back into her old ways, overcome by her criminal instincts, she fabricated a tale and told it to King Golan, claiming it as her own. The king grew furious and wished to verify Reema’s words—if she spoke the truth, he would reward her generously, but if she had lied, she would face her punishment.

Thus, Sultan Golan seized her and carried her off to the Land of the Jinn, where he hid her in his chambers while setting his plan in motion. His suspicions soon proved correct, and he uncovered the conspiracy. Justice was served—the treacherous Sultan was punished, and the ghoul Bahloul met his end.

Believing that Reema had exposed the crime, saving his life and reuniting him with his sons, the Sultan was filled with gratitude. Prince Zahran had returned, the people of the Jinn rejoiced, and the Sultan wished to repay kindness with kindness. He summoned Reema to the royal court, and thus, the events now unfold before us."

At the Palace

Herald: "Let the human woman step forward to meet our lord, the Sultan!"

Servants: "Please, this way, O lady from the world of men."

Reema: "A little patience, if you please."

King Golan: "Come forward, come forward, O noble human!"

Reema: "My lord…"

King Golan: "Do you even realize what you have done for us?"

Reema: "We uncovered the crime."

King Golan: "That’s all?"

Reema: "Was there something else, my lord?"

King Golan: "Don’t forget, you also helped bring back Prince Zahran."

Reema: "And where was the prince?"

King Golan: "He was angry and had distanced himself."

Reema: "And why was he angry?"

King Golan: "Because I remarried after his mother passed away."

Reema: "Marriage is fate, my lord."

Prince Zahran: "No, father, it wasn’t just about marriage. I won’t speak ill of the past, but what hurt me most was that you placed a mere servant in my mother’s place."

King Golan: "I was deceived, my son."

Prince Zahran: "Well, she’s gone now, and we are rid of her. May God deal with her as He wills."

King Golan: "Happiness surrounds us from all sides, and we owe it all to the human woman."

Reema: "Me?"

King Golan: "You cannot imagine the extent of what you have done for us. No matter what I offer, I can never truly repay you, O noble human."

Reema: "There’s no need for repayment, my lord."

King Golan: "You saved my life, restored my family, and healed the wounds between me and my sons. Tell me, what can I do for you? What would you like? Name your reward!"

Reema: "And would you truly grant it?"

King Golan: "Not only will I grant it, but I will give you more."

Reema: "All I want is your favor, my lord Sultan."

King Golan: "Ah, listen to her! What noble words! If only all humans were as good-hearted as you. In all my days, I have never encountered a spirit as generous and pure as yours, O Reema."

Reema: "I have done nothing, my lord."

King Golan: "You say that after all you've done? Are all humans so selfless?"

Reema: "What matters most is goodwill."

King Golan: "And where does goodwill reside?"

Reema: "May God bestow it upon us, light our path, and guide us rightly. And praise be to Him for your safety, my lord."

King Golan: "May God bless you as well, O noble human. But you still haven't told me…"

Reema: "Told you what, my lord Sultan?"

King Golan: "What it is that you desire from me."

Reema: "I told you—nothing but your favor."

King Golan: "You may ask for anything—wealth, palaces, the treasures of the world!"

Reema: "What is the world but a fleeting thing? What is there in it to mourn?"

King Golan: "But surely, I must reward you for your kindness."

Reema: "A kindness repaid is no longer kindness. Why do you diminish its value?"

King Golan: "Ah, such wisdom! Very well, O noble human. Since you refuse any material gift, I shall act on your behalf and decide for you.

O people of the Jinn! I, Sultan Golan, bear witness before you and before our Creator, who knows our hearts, that I have never seen such purity, honesty, or virtue as I have found in this human woman. And because she refuses any reward, I present her with the Jewel of the Crown as my gift!"

The Jinn in the Royal Court: "The Jewel of the Crown! He grants her the Jewel of the Crown!"

King Golan: "Here, Reema, take it."

Reema: "What am I to do with such a thing, my lord?"

King Golan: "What do you mean, what will you do with it? Do you not see its worth?"

Reema: "What good is it to me?"

King Golan: "Still, you hesitate? If you sell it, you could buy an entire kingdom!"

Reema: "No, my lord, I do not want it."

King Golan: "A king's gift cannot be refused."

Reema: "But must I accept a price for my good deed?"

King Golan: "This is not a price; it is a token of gratitude, a mere gift. And a gift must be accepted."

Reema: "As long as I am not forced."

King Golan: "Then it is yours! A thousand congratulations to you, O noble human!"

Reema: "May you be blessed, my lord. But… I do have one small request."

King Golan: "A request? What is it?"

Reema: "And I will need your help to fulfill it."

King Golan: "Then tell me, and consider it done."

Reema: “O mighty Sultan, I must tell you—there is a poor, unfortunate girl in my care. She is ill, her name is Karima.”

Golan: “Karima? Why do you call her unfortunate?”

Reema: “Forgive me, my lord, but she has lost her mind. Ever since she heard me speak of the sultana, the conspiracy, and the betrayal, she has not been the same. She falls into fits, shouting that she saw the sultana with the ogre.”

Golan: “May the heavens help her.”

Reema: “She truly believes she was there, that she saw it all—that she was the one who threw the cursed apple.”

Golan: “Strange indeed.”

Reema: “If it were only that, my lord, it would be a small matter. But when madness overtakes her, she breaks everything in sight. Just last night, she turned on her own siblings, a knife in her grasp—had I not been there, she would have slain her own sister!”

Golan (shocked): “By the heavens! Is she your daughter?”

Reema: “She is as dear to me as a daughter. Since this affliction took hold of her, my heart has been heavy, and my tears have not ceased. I thought to take her to the governor, hoping he might place her somewhere safe until fate grants her mercy. Would you turn me away, my lord? Would you turn her away?”

Golan: “No, we shall ease your burden.”

The sultan turned to one of his attendants and issued a command.

Golan: “Go to the house of Kaab Al-Ghazan. Bring the girl to me at once.”

Attendant: “At your command, O King of the Jinn.”

Golan: “Go now, without delay.”

In the House of Kaab Al-Ghazan

Mishkah (cheerfully addressing the three beautiful sisters): "Mishkah, Mishkah, Mishkah! May the heavens bless you and keep your beauty everlasting!"

Karima: "Uncle Mishkah, do you not like my aunt Reema?"

Mishkah: "Reema? Me? Like Reema? Who in their right mind would like old Reema?"

Karima: "Then I’ll tell my aunt what you said."

Mishkah: "Go ahead! I don't care."

Halima: "But let’s focus on the real issue here—she’s still missing. You haven’t found her yet?"

Mishkah: "I’ve been searching for her ever since she disappeared. I’ve asked in every corner, but no one has seen her."

Fateema: "And you still have no clue?"

Mishkah (shaking his head): "I don’t understand it at all. She has never spent a night outside before."

Then, turning to Karima, he asked:

Mishkah: "And I still don’t know what truly happened that night. But you do."

Karima: "Me?"

Mishkah: "Yes, you! That night, you stayed out late and returned at dawn—with the apples. Of course, Reema didn’t believe your story. She wanted to know what really happened—where you had been, who you were with, and where those apples came from. She was convinced that the apples held the key to it all. So, she took one and dragged me along with her to that abandoned ruin. But we found nothing of what you spoke of. And then, just as we were leaving, we heard a vendor calling out, selling apples that were half-peach, half-apple—just like the ones you brought."

Karima(intrigued): "Wait, let’s think this through. Yes, Uncle Mishkah?"

Mishkah: "The moment Reema saw the apples, she said, ‘That’s it!’ She called the vendor over and started questioning him. She spoke to him here and there, word after word, until she finally said, ‘We have apples like these at home.’ Then she turned to me and told me to go back and bring the rest of the apples. I left her standing there, talking to the vendor. But when I returned… Reema was gone. And so was the apple seller."

Halima: "That’s all that happened, Uncle Mishkah?"

Fatima: "But why would she stay behind with the apple seller?"

Mishkah: "Because Reema wouldn’t rest until she knew exactly where the apples had come from!"

Halima: "Why don’t you believe Karima?"

Mishkah (grumbling): "That old Reema! That cunning old crow!"

Karima: "I’ll tell my aunt what you said!"

Mishkah: "And what, pray tell, do I care? Do you think I fear her? Was I ever captivated by her beauty?"

Halima: "That’s not fair! Is my aunt Reema really so bad?"

Mishkah (mockingly): "A shriveled raisin, a stubborn mind! Enough, enough! I’ve tolerated her long enough! Every morning, I wake to her grim face. Do you know what happens when I see her after seeing your beauty? I clench my teeth in frustration!"

Fatima: "You clench your teeth?"

Mishkah: "Yes! It’s unbearable—it makes my teeth grind and my heart ache!"

Suddenly, loud knocks echoed at the door.

Karima: "That must be Aunt Reema!"

Halima: "Oh no! What if she heard us?"

Fatima: "Of course, she did!"

Mishkah (nervously): "Did—did I say anything about her?"

Halima: "Didn’t you just say you’re not afraid of her?"

Fatima(to Karima): "Go on, open the door!"

Mishkah: "Don’t tell her anything!"

Karima opened the door—only to find a stranger standing before her.

Karima: "Huh? Who are you? You’re not my aunt Reema!"

Stranger (relieved): "Ah, thank goodness. Tell me, is this the house of the late Kaab Al-Ghazan?"

Karima: "Yes, sir."

Stranger: "Is there a girl here named Karima?"

Karima: "That’s me."

Stranger: "Your aunt Reema is asking for you."

Karima: "Reema? Where is she?"

Stranger: "She’s waiting for you at our place."

Karima: "Where exactly?"

Stranger: "With us. There."

Mishkah: "Should I come with you?"

Karima: "Come on, Uncle Mishkah."

Halima: "Don’t be long, Karima. We’ll be waiting. And lock the door behind you!"

Shahrazad: And so, Karima set out to meet Reema. But as they walked, the stranger suddenly stopped and turned toward Mishkah. And at that moment, my lord...

And here, Scheherazade realized the dawn had come, and she fell silent, leaving the tale untold.

Here is the 18th episode of our tale televised 

Till next night inshallah

You can check previous Ramadan Arabian Nights here.

In the spirit of Ramadan, I invite you to support UNICEF’s relief efforts in Gaza and Sudan, as well as elsewhere on the globe. Every pound, dollar, or euro can make a difference.