Ramadan Kareem to all Egyptian Chronicles readers.
Before we continue our tale and discover how King Sajur’s sons will save Princess Amira’s life — and whom she will ultimately choose — it’s time for our little chit-chat.
Tonight, we will speak about yet another recurring element in the tales of Taher Abu Fasha: the Magic Carpet.
The idea of magical flying carpets is much older than the One Thousand and One Nights. One of the earliest references appears in legends surrounding King Solomon (dating from the 3rd to 6th centuries CE).
In later Jewish and Islamic traditions—though notably not in the Hebrew Bible itself—Solomon is said to have possessed a green silken carpet (or throne) carried by the wind, capable of transporting him and his entire army across vast distances in a single day.
While the Qur’an (21:81 and 38:36) speaks of Solomon commanding the wind to blow at his order, it does not explicitly mention a carpet. The "flying carpet" detail is a later narrative expansion found in Isra’iliyyat (narratives derived from earlier Judeo-Christian traditions) and Persian storytelling layers.
The concept reappeared in the Persian epic tradition, most famously in the Shahnameh (c. 1000 CE). In this epic, King Kay Kavus builds a flying throne powered by eagles. While these weren't always literal carpets, the imagery of airborne royal platforms became a staple of medieval Persian romance literature.
When it comes to the One Thousand and One Nights, there is a major surprise for modern audiences: the "flying carpet" most people imagine is largely a later European association.
The famous Prince Hussain’s Carpet does appear in the story of "Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Pari-Banu," but this story (like Aladdin) was one of the "orphan tales" added to the collection in the 18th century by the French translator Antoine Galland.
Now, without further delay, I present the seventh and the last episode of our story—The Tale of Sajur and his sons, or the 201st night of One Thousand and One Nights, as broadcast by the Egyptian State Radio.
Ep. 7 “Thus Amira Chose”
And when it was the First Night after the Two Hundred, King Shahryar took his seat as on the evening before. And Shahrazad came at the appointed hour, and bowed before him, and resumed the thread of speech from where it had been cut.
Shahrazad
It has reached me, O fortunate King, wise in counsel and steadfast in resolve, that when the princes returned and placed the healing apple to the nostrils of the Princess Amira, she drew a deep breath — and life returned to her as the dawn returns to the darkened sky.
Her eyes opened, and she beheld her cousins standing above her, and her uncle, the King, rejoicing beyond measure. And wonder seized them all.
They related to him the marvel of the spectacles that reveal the distant unseen; the Carpet of the Wind that folds months into moments; and the Apple of Samarkand, whose fragrance recalls the departing soul.
The King was astonished, and tested each marvel with his own hand, until certainty replaced doubt.
Then he ascended with them to the rooftop, and rode upon the Carpet of the Wind, and witnessed its obedience. And he peered through the enchanted spectacles, and beheld that which is hidden from mortal sight. And he praised the Almighty, who grants wonders to whom He wills.
When three days had passed and the Princess regained her strength, King Sajur seated himself in the hall of decision. The three princes stood before him, and Amira sat beside him in modest silence.
The King said:
“My sons, each of you has brought a marvel beyond reckoning. Without the spectacles, we would not have known her peril. Without the carpet, we would not have reached her in time. Without the apple, she would have passed beyond recall.
How shall I distinguish between you?”
They disputed before him — each claiming merit.
At last the King turned to the Princess.
“Speak, my daughter. Choose whom you will, and we shall abide by your choice.”
The hall fell silent.
Amira rose.
Her face was serene, yet grave.
“My uncle,” she said, “how shall I choose one and wound two? How shall I repay devotion with division? These princes are dearer to me than my own life. I will not be the cause of discord between brothers.”
The King said, troubled:
“Then what is your will?”
She answered:
“My will has already been sealed. While I lay between life and death, I vowed that if the Almighty restored me, I would dedicate my days to worship and withdraw from the world. I shall not wed any man. I have given myself to the sanctuary.”
A cry rose from the princes.
But her resolve did not falter.
Thus did Princess Amira enter the temple, and devote her remaining years to prayer and contemplation.
The princes, chastened by loss and tempered by wisdom, laid aside rivalry. Time passed. Grief softened. The sharp edge of longing dulled beneath the hand of fate.
They learned that life instructs those who listen — and humbles those who contend.
And so their days found calm, until the Destroyer of Delights and the Divider of Companions overtook them in their appointed hour.
Glory be to the Living who does not die, in whose hand is dominion and kingdom.
And here the dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she held her peace.
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