Saksham Thakur

Classics Children

3  

Saksham Thakur

Classics Children

The Voyages of Sindbad-I

The Voyages of Sindbad-I

3 mins
256


Long ago in the times of Caliph Haroun-al-Rashid, there lived in Baghdad a poor porter called Hindbad. Once on a very hot day he was carrying a heavy load from one end of the city to the other. Feeling tired, he stopped in a quiet street and set

His load upon the ground. The pavement was sprinkled with rose water and a cool

Breeze was blowing. “Ah, this is a nice place


To rest said the porter as he sat down in the shade of a grand house. From the open windows came the sound of some delightful music and also the delicious smell of many dainty dishes.

“Oh I see,” remarked the porter, there is feasting and merrymaking going on in there. I wonder who lives in this splendid house; I must find out. So he went up to the well dressed servants who stood at the door and asked them the name of their master.

What, cried they, do you live in Baghdad and not know that here lives the noble Sindbad the Sailor


That famous traveller who has sailed over every sea on this earth ?” The porter had heard of the great wealth of Sindbad. Feeling envious of him, he looked at the sky and cried out, “O Mighty Creator of all things, look at the difference between Sindbad’s happy life and my miserable one! Every day I suffer terrible hardships and work so much to get some bread to keep myself and my family alive, while the lucky Sindbad can spend as much money as he wants. Why have you given him this plea-sant life ?

What have I done to get such a hard fate ?” So saying, the porter stamped on the ground in despair. Just then a servant came out of the mansion and said to him, “Come with me.


My master, the noble Sindbad, wishes to speak to you.” The porter meekly followed the servant into a huge room, where many people were seated round a table covered with all sorts of food.

At the head of the table sat a tall, serious man with a long white beard. Behind his chair stood a crowd of servants eager to please him. This was the famous Sindbad. The porter trembled as he saluted the group of men. Sindbad asked him to be seated and after a grand meal, asked his name and his occupation.

“My lord,” said the porter, I am called Hindbad.”

“We are all pleased to see you here,” smiled Sindbad, “but tell me what you said a while ago in the street.” Sindbad had earlier heard the porter’s complaint from the open window and so had sent for him. Embarrassed, Hindbad, hung his head and replied, Pardon me,

My lord because I uttered those words as I was tired and in a bad mood.” “I do not blame you at all,” said Sindbad kindly. “I understand

Your situation and pity you. But you are mistaken about me, so Iwish to set you right. I have got all this wealth and luxury after having suffered all kinds of danger and difficulties for years.


“Yes my friends,” he continued, “my adventures have been strange enough to frighten the greediest of men from seeking wealth by sailing the seas. I will now give you a full and true account of my seven voyages and the dangers and wonders I have met on sea and land.”



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