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Tūkstančio ir vienos nakties šalyje
Papasakojau jam, kaip aš mėgstu pasakas, kaip ši estafetė mūsų šeimoje perduodama iš tėvo sūnui.
– Ieškau pasakos, kuri glūdi mano širdyje, – pasakiau.
Naujojoje savo knygoje „Tūkstančio ir vienos nakties šalyje“ autorius toliau pasakoja apie savo gyvenimą Kasablankoje. Apleisti Kalifo rūmai jau virto tikrais rūmais, o Marokas – tikraisiais Tahir Shaho namais. Tačiau rašytojas suvokė: kol nepasiners į Maroko pasakų ir istorijų pasaulį, tol tikroji šios šalies siela liks nepažinta. Knygą „Tūkstančio ir vienos nakties šalyje“ autorius skiria žmonėms, išsaugojusiems senąją žodinę tradiciją, istorijų pasakotojams. Pasakos ir istorijos – išminties šaltinis; jomis nuo pat mažumės auklėjami vaikai, jas suaugę seka vieni kitiems įvairiausiais gyvenimo atvejais. Pasakas visą gyvenimą rinko ir Tahir Shaho tėvas, tarsi estefetę sūnui perdavęs meilę išmintingoms istorijoms. Kiekvieno žmogaus širdyje slypi pasaka, išgirsta Tahir Shahas. Tačiau ją surasti galima tik žiūrint užmerktomis akimis. Įkvėptas tėvo atminimo ir savo šeimos tradicijų, Shahas bando suprasti, kas jis iš tiesų yra; jis ieško savo pasakos, o drauge – bando priartėti prie Maroko širdies, keliaudamas nuo vieno pasakotojo pas kitą.
„Tūkstančio ir vienos nakties šalyje“ – stulbinantis, aistringas pasakojimas apie rytietišką išmintį, vertas Šacherezados. Tačiau drauge tai – ir humoro bei meilės kupini marokietiški Tahir Shaho nuotykiai: gyvenimas su džinais, kelionės į dykumą ir Feso turgų... Tai egzotiška knyga, verčianti juoktis ir liūdėti, susimąstyti ir užsisvajoti; knyga, kiekvieno skaitytojo klausianti – o kokia pasaka slypi tavo širdyje?
– Ieškau pasakos, kuri glūdi mano širdyje, – pasakiau.
Naujojoje savo knygoje „Tūkstančio ir vienos nakties šalyje“ autorius toliau pasakoja apie savo gyvenimą Kasablankoje. Apleisti Kalifo rūmai jau virto tikrais rūmais, o Marokas – tikraisiais Tahir Shaho namais. Tačiau rašytojas suvokė: kol nepasiners į Maroko pasakų ir istorijų pasaulį, tol tikroji šios šalies siela liks nepažinta. Knygą „Tūkstančio ir vienos nakties šalyje“ autorius skiria žmonėms, išsaugojusiems senąją žodinę tradiciją, istorijų pasakotojams. Pasakos ir istorijos – išminties šaltinis; jomis nuo pat mažumės auklėjami vaikai, jas suaugę seka vieni kitiems įvairiausiais gyvenimo atvejais. Pasakas visą gyvenimą rinko ir Tahir Shaho tėvas, tarsi estefetę sūnui perdavęs meilę išmintingoms istorijoms. Kiekvieno žmogaus širdyje slypi pasaka, išgirsta Tahir Shahas. Tačiau ją surasti galima tik žiūrint užmerktomis akimis. Įkvėptas tėvo atminimo ir savo šeimos tradicijų, Shahas bando suprasti, kas jis iš tiesų yra; jis ieško savo pasakos, o drauge – bando priartėti prie Maroko širdies, keliaudamas nuo vieno pasakotojo pas kitą.
„Tūkstančio ir vienos nakties šalyje“ – stulbinantis, aistringas pasakojimas apie rytietišką išmintį, vertas Šacherezados. Tačiau drauge tai – ir humoro bei meilės kupini marokietiški Tahir Shaho nuotykiai: gyvenimas su džinais, kelionės į dykumą ir Feso turgų... Tai egzotiška knyga, verčianti juoktis ir liūdėti, susimąstyti ir užsisvajoti; knyga, kiekvieno skaitytojo klausianti – o kokia pasaka slypi tavo širdyje?
448 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
191 people are currently reading
2995 people want to read
About the author
Tahir Shah
153 books625 followersTahir Shah was born in London, and raised primarily at the family’s home, Langton House, in the English countryside – where founder of the Boy Scouts, Lord Baden Powell was also brought up.
Along with his twin and elder sisters, Tahir was continually coaxed to regard the world around him through Oriental eyes. This included being exposed from early childhood to Eastern stories, and to the back-to-front humour of the wise fool, Nasrudin.
Having studied at a leading public school, Bryanston, Tahir took a degree in International Relations, his particular interest being in African dictatorships of the mid-1980s. His research in this area led him to travel alone through a wide number of failing African states, including Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Zaire.
After university, Tahir embarked on a plethora of widespread travels through the Indian subcontinent, Latin America, and Africa, drawing them together in his first travelogue, Beyond the Devil’s Teeth. In the years that followed, he published more than a dozen works of travel. These quests – for lost cities, treasure, Indian magic, and for the secrets of the so-called Birdmen of Peru – led to what is surely one of the most extraordinary bodies of travel work ever published.
In the early 2000s, with two small children, Tahir moved his young family from an apartment in London’s East End to a supposedly haunted mansion in the middle of a Casablanca shantytown. The tale of the adventure was published in his bestselling book, The Caliph’s House.
In recent years, Tahir Shah has released a cornucopia of work, embracing travel, fiction, and literary criticism. He has also made documentaries for National Geographic TV and the History Channel, and published hundreds of articles in leading magazines, newspapers, and journals. His oeuvre is regarded as exceptionally original and, as an author, he is considered as a champion of the new face of publishing.
www.tahirshah.com
www.twitter.com/humanstew
www.facebook.com/TahirShahAuthor
http://www.youtube.com/user/tahirshah999
www.pinterest.com/tahirshah
Along with his twin and elder sisters, Tahir was continually coaxed to regard the world around him through Oriental eyes. This included being exposed from early childhood to Eastern stories, and to the back-to-front humour of the wise fool, Nasrudin.
Having studied at a leading public school, Bryanston, Tahir took a degree in International Relations, his particular interest being in African dictatorships of the mid-1980s. His research in this area led him to travel alone through a wide number of failing African states, including Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Zaire.
After university, Tahir embarked on a plethora of widespread travels through the Indian subcontinent, Latin America, and Africa, drawing them together in his first travelogue, Beyond the Devil’s Teeth. In the years that followed, he published more than a dozen works of travel. These quests – for lost cities, treasure, Indian magic, and for the secrets of the so-called Birdmen of Peru – led to what is surely one of the most extraordinary bodies of travel work ever published.
In the early 2000s, with two small children, Tahir moved his young family from an apartment in London’s East End to a supposedly haunted mansion in the middle of a Casablanca shantytown. The tale of the adventure was published in his bestselling book, The Caliph’s House.
In recent years, Tahir Shah has released a cornucopia of work, embracing travel, fiction, and literary criticism. He has also made documentaries for National Geographic TV and the History Channel, and published hundreds of articles in leading magazines, newspapers, and journals. His oeuvre is regarded as exceptionally original and, as an author, he is considered as a champion of the new face of publishing.
www.tahirshah.com
www.twitter.com/humanstew
www.facebook.com/TahirShahAuthor
http://www.youtube.com/user/tahirshah999
www.pinterest.com/tahirshah
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
February 27, 2017
While I enjoyed the descriptions of Morocco, I eventually got frustrated with the writer's complete lack of a gender lens when looking at a society as gender segregated as Morocco. I would have noticed it regardless but once he started his numerous references to "henpecked husbands" I got particularly annoyed.
He rarely, if ever, acknowledges that the Morocco he sees is only half of Morocco. His focus and his sympathy is fully on the people he meets (almost all men) and he seems to expect that we too will sympathize with these poor henpecked husbands. Yeah, I think Morocco has different, more serious gender issues than dudes who hang out at a cafe all day because if they go home their wives might ask for help with the laundry.
When he does get close to a woman's story (the daughter declared dead by her family because she married against their wishes, the wife who ran away with the blind storyteller) he quickly moves away or refocuses on the men. I think we are supposed to be happy when Osman's wife returns but we never learned why she left or why she returned. Did she return because she wanted to or because she had no other options? Tahir Shah doesn't seem to care and maybe doesn't expect his readers to care. But I definitely care.
Even the folk stories he recounts are primarily about men.
All that being said, he travels around Morocco a lot more in this book than in his first book and I did enjoy the descriptions of all he sees. Too bad he limits himself to the male gaze.
He rarely, if ever, acknowledges that the Morocco he sees is only half of Morocco. His focus and his sympathy is fully on the people he meets (almost all men) and he seems to expect that we too will sympathize with these poor henpecked husbands. Yeah, I think Morocco has different, more serious gender issues than dudes who hang out at a cafe all day because if they go home their wives might ask for help with the laundry.
When he does get close to a woman's story (the daughter declared dead by her family because she married against their wishes, the wife who ran away with the blind storyteller) he quickly moves away or refocuses on the men. I think we are supposed to be happy when Osman's wife returns but we never learned why she left or why she returned. Did she return because she wanted to or because she had no other options? Tahir Shah doesn't seem to care and maybe doesn't expect his readers to care. But I definitely care.
Even the folk stories he recounts are primarily about men.
All that being said, he travels around Morocco a lot more in this book than in his first book and I did enjoy the descriptions of all he sees. Too bad he limits himself to the male gaze.
January 30, 2014
“Real travel is not about the highlights with which you dazzle your friends once you're home. It's about the loneliness, the solitude, the evenings spent by yourself, pining to be somewhere else. Those are the moments of true value. You feel half proud of them and half ashamed and you hold them to your heart.”
February 4, 2013
This is the only book I have ever finished and immediately wanted to re-read. I would have; but I really want to buy a paper copy and read it that way instead. I'm abroad right now, but when I get back in the states I will own this! I'm also planning on reading just about everything Tahir Shah has written.
So why? Why am I so ga-ga over this book? One of my greatest loves in life is traveling and this book just oozes with the emotions of a traveler. Shah is an individual who is restless, who is curious, who judges people with an eye of disbelief AND understanding, who takes people what they are and, while human being are unable to completely ever fill another's shoes, he incorporates what he can. It's incredible - I stopped multiple times while reading to ponder or scribble down a sentence. Shah's words described my own emotions: it's so wonderful to feel understood.
This book is both memoir and story - it's a mixture of tales, events, meaningful and not. His ability to tie in everything makes me believes he's led not only a great life but also a fascinating one - I believe this book is filled with both truths and fibs and it works beautifully into one tapestry. I picked it up because I was going to Morocco to travel - I've never been more excited to examine a place now after having read this book.
I'd recommend this to just about everyone who is willing to ponder new ideas, cultures, adventures, etc. It's phenomenal!
So why? Why am I so ga-ga over this book? One of my greatest loves in life is traveling and this book just oozes with the emotions of a traveler. Shah is an individual who is restless, who is curious, who judges people with an eye of disbelief AND understanding, who takes people what they are and, while human being are unable to completely ever fill another's shoes, he incorporates what he can. It's incredible - I stopped multiple times while reading to ponder or scribble down a sentence. Shah's words described my own emotions: it's so wonderful to feel understood.
This book is both memoir and story - it's a mixture of tales, events, meaningful and not. His ability to tie in everything makes me believes he's led not only a great life but also a fascinating one - I believe this book is filled with both truths and fibs and it works beautifully into one tapestry. I picked it up because I was going to Morocco to travel - I've never been more excited to examine a place now after having read this book.
I'd recommend this to just about everyone who is willing to ponder new ideas, cultures, adventures, etc. It's phenomenal!
January 11, 2018
Firstly I am a fan of Tahir Shah’s writing, so this was always going be a good review from me. I enjoyed this book a lot – and having read other reviews it is clear the book is polarising – many didn’t enjoy it.
There are some things to consider. There is a bit of ‘never let the truth get in the way of a good story’ going on here, and there are a number of suggestions within the writing that some liberties have been taken. This is also a book about stories, so while it is autobiographical, it contains a lot of fiction – “learning stories” mostly.
It is also a nod to 'The Thousand and One Nights’, (AKA the 'Arabian Nights' or 'Alf Layla wa Layla'), not just in its title, but in it form and character. The form of the book is 25 chapters, but each chapter is broken up into smaller sections – sometimes a paragraph, sometime a few pages – and the story jumps around (a lot) from the current narrative, to the authors childhood, then a story, then to a past event, then back again. This makes it sound disjointed, but it reads as smooth transitions, and the overall narrative flows well.
The other consideration is Shah’s descriptive writing about the physical spaces in Morocco (mostly Casablanca, Fez and Marrakesh). For me this is very successful – he describes fantastically well, invoking a real sense of the places he describes with his use of rich and atmospheric writing. It just brings out the vibrancy and the activity of the scenery, the markets, the public squares, the people.
I had purposely left this book on the self for a fairly long time after reading The Caliph's house. The two books cover some similar ground - the author's relationship with the Guardians, their constant fear of Jinns, and 'life in Morocco'. I think I benefited from this delay. Essentially, the primary plotline of the book is the author looking for 'the story inside himself', and along the way to stimulate the oral tradition of storytelling. There is also a lot of autobiographical information about the author, and particularly his father (Idries Shah - also a well known author and teller of stories), and the importance of tradition.
I really like the blurb (which I think comes from the hardcover edition, as it is not the one on my paperback edition), I think it really describes the book well - Steeped in history, Morocco is a kingdom of rich textures, aromatic spices and magical beliefs - a vibrant bridge between the Orient and the Occident. And arriving there can be like stepping into the world of A Thousand and One Nights: a place ruled by ancient codes of honour, duty, chivalry, respect - values that have been handed down from generation to generation through the telling of stories. Long fascinated by this, Tahir Shah explores his adoptive country in a way that has never been done before: observing it from the inside out, through this ancient use of stories as teaching tools. Journeying from Casablanca to the tourist hot spot of Marrakech and the holy city of Fez, from Tangier in the north to Ouarzazate and on south into the Sahara, he goes in search of Morocco's stories and along the way meets a host of remarkable characters and is left wondering whether we in the West might yet be able to reconnect with the wisdom this tradition and these tales have to offer. Always entertaining and eloquent, Shah shines fresh and original light on this ancient, vital part of the world.
5 stars. For me this is everything that the Storyteller of Marrakesh never came close to achieving.
There are some things to consider. There is a bit of ‘never let the truth get in the way of a good story’ going on here, and there are a number of suggestions within the writing that some liberties have been taken. This is also a book about stories, so while it is autobiographical, it contains a lot of fiction – “learning stories” mostly.
It is also a nod to 'The Thousand and One Nights’, (AKA the 'Arabian Nights' or 'Alf Layla wa Layla'), not just in its title, but in it form and character. The form of the book is 25 chapters, but each chapter is broken up into smaller sections – sometimes a paragraph, sometime a few pages – and the story jumps around (a lot) from the current narrative, to the authors childhood, then a story, then to a past event, then back again. This makes it sound disjointed, but it reads as smooth transitions, and the overall narrative flows well.
The other consideration is Shah’s descriptive writing about the physical spaces in Morocco (mostly Casablanca, Fez and Marrakesh). For me this is very successful – he describes fantastically well, invoking a real sense of the places he describes with his use of rich and atmospheric writing. It just brings out the vibrancy and the activity of the scenery, the markets, the public squares, the people.
I had purposely left this book on the self for a fairly long time after reading The Caliph's house. The two books cover some similar ground - the author's relationship with the Guardians, their constant fear of Jinns, and 'life in Morocco'. I think I benefited from this delay. Essentially, the primary plotline of the book is the author looking for 'the story inside himself', and along the way to stimulate the oral tradition of storytelling. There is also a lot of autobiographical information about the author, and particularly his father (Idries Shah - also a well known author and teller of stories), and the importance of tradition.
I really like the blurb (which I think comes from the hardcover edition, as it is not the one on my paperback edition), I think it really describes the book well - Steeped in history, Morocco is a kingdom of rich textures, aromatic spices and magical beliefs - a vibrant bridge between the Orient and the Occident. And arriving there can be like stepping into the world of A Thousand and One Nights: a place ruled by ancient codes of honour, duty, chivalry, respect - values that have been handed down from generation to generation through the telling of stories. Long fascinated by this, Tahir Shah explores his adoptive country in a way that has never been done before: observing it from the inside out, through this ancient use of stories as teaching tools. Journeying from Casablanca to the tourist hot spot of Marrakech and the holy city of Fez, from Tangier in the north to Ouarzazate and on south into the Sahara, he goes in search of Morocco's stories and along the way meets a host of remarkable characters and is left wondering whether we in the West might yet be able to reconnect with the wisdom this tradition and these tales have to offer. Always entertaining and eloquent, Shah shines fresh and original light on this ancient, vital part of the world.
5 stars. For me this is everything that the Storyteller of Marrakesh never came close to achieving.
February 5, 2023
There are some books I read which I simply do not want to end. Books where I will read a few pages and then resolutely stop so I have something to look forward to the next day. It’s like finishing a walk knowing a cup of slowly-simmered chai and a piece of keema naan is waiting for me. There are only a few such books for me. Dickens has been the author of a few, Robert Louis Stevenson has some, and some other ad-hoc titles. This is one such book. It’s mango mousse and honeyed milk before bedtime. Oh. So. Good.
Tahir Shah writes of Morocco, specifically of his home in Casablanca. There, he must endure the exorcisms of his house, because of local superstitions. He employs The Guardians, who are supposed to help him look after his compound but who seem to spend more time spinning stories. And that’s fine with the author as his objective for this book is to find the story in his heart. And what a place to start! For Morocco is still the land of narrow alleyways and of storks who bring luck to those whose roofs will underlay the birds’ nests. It’s a land defined by the pounding Atlantic surf and the breathtaking Atlas mountains. It’s a land of Arabs and Berbers. It’s a land of Marrakech, Fes, Tangier, and Rabat. And it is the land where The Thousand And One Nights would be right at home.
In search of his heart’s story, Tahir Shah travels to the desert to collect salt. He goes in search of learned men who might have the answers to his dreams. And there is the darkness, related to his past imprisonment in Pakistan, which reminds us of how cruel man can be to man. The book is a travelogue but also a memoir and finally an homage to the fairy tales of yore, when Aladdin ran free and Djinns could create kingdoms from grains of sand. Each chapter highlights an Arabian proverb, which allows Shah to lead the reader into a maze of magic. We end up caring about him and his Guardians and his storks and his friends who seem to appear from blue mists. I think what I came away with was the importance of hospitality and the welcoming of guests/strangers, regardless of religions or beliefs.
The best medicine is sometimes not medicine at all.
Book Season = Summer (tingles of zest)
Tahir Shah writes of Morocco, specifically of his home in Casablanca. There, he must endure the exorcisms of his house, because of local superstitions. He employs The Guardians, who are supposed to help him look after his compound but who seem to spend more time spinning stories. And that’s fine with the author as his objective for this book is to find the story in his heart. And what a place to start! For Morocco is still the land of narrow alleyways and of storks who bring luck to those whose roofs will underlay the birds’ nests. It’s a land defined by the pounding Atlantic surf and the breathtaking Atlas mountains. It’s a land of Arabs and Berbers. It’s a land of Marrakech, Fes, Tangier, and Rabat. And it is the land where The Thousand And One Nights would be right at home.
In search of his heart’s story, Tahir Shah travels to the desert to collect salt. He goes in search of learned men who might have the answers to his dreams. And there is the darkness, related to his past imprisonment in Pakistan, which reminds us of how cruel man can be to man. The book is a travelogue but also a memoir and finally an homage to the fairy tales of yore, when Aladdin ran free and Djinns could create kingdoms from grains of sand. Each chapter highlights an Arabian proverb, which allows Shah to lead the reader into a maze of magic. We end up caring about him and his Guardians and his storks and his friends who seem to appear from blue mists. I think what I came away with was the importance of hospitality and the welcoming of guests/strangers, regardless of religions or beliefs.
The best medicine is sometimes not medicine at all.
Book Season = Summer (tingles of zest)
April 30, 2013
I realize I'm in the minority but I just didn't care for this book that much. The stories he recounted were interesting but I felt he got very repetitive and preachy when talking about how important the stories were. There was, occasionally, the tendency to over generalize as well, about the nobility that comes with being poor and that is lost if you get money, as well as how much wisdom the West has lost by modernization. There is some truth there but I don't think it's as bad as the author makes it seem. Symbolism is not dead in the West. Or at least, not where I'm from. Another aspect, and I found this to be in the Caliphs House as well, the author sometimes begins relating an event and then moves to another subject and never resolves the first issue. All in all, this wasn't a bad book; it has some thought provoking issues and fascinating local tales but I found the tone and repetitiveness off putting.
March 23, 2013
Обратно сред джиновете, притчите и мъдростта на арабската митология: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/v...
Очаквах с голямо нетърпение следващата книга на Тахир Шах. “Къщата на халифа” искрено ме очарова и желанието да се върна в екзотичното Мароко, което през европейския му поглед е абсурдно красиво, чудно, гротескно-абсурдно до симпатичност най-сетне се осъществи. “В хиляда и една нощи” получи мигновено преимущество пред всички книги, защото просто не мога да устоя на доза удоволствие, особено в петък вечер след поредната тежка седмица. Започнах и потънах, всичко си е както преди…
Мрачното начало от афганистански затвор бързо отминава, самият Шах само маркира случилото се, от което само по себе си би излязла тежка, разтърсваща книга за ужас отвъд предела на разбираемото. Но бягството от този ужас е точно в спомените за Къщата на халифа и живота в безумното от наша гледна точка Мароко. И се занизват спомен след спомен, пряко продължение на преживелиците от първата книга.
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/v...
Очаквах с голямо нетърпение следващата книга на Тахир Шах. “Къщата на халифа” искрено ме очарова и желанието да се върна в екзотичното Мароко, което през европейския му поглед е абсурдно красиво, чудно, гротескно-абсурдно до симпатичност най-сетне се осъществи. “В хиляда и една нощи” получи мигновено преимущество пред всички книги, защото просто не мога да устоя на доза удоволствие, особено в петък вечер след поредната тежка седмица. Започнах и потънах, всичко си е както преди…
Мрачното начало от афганистански затвор бързо отминава, самият Шах само маркира случилото се, от което само по себе си би излязла тежка, разтърсваща книга за ужас отвъд предела на разбираемото. Но бягството от този ужас е точно в спомените за Къщата на халифа и живота в безумното от наша гледна точка Мароко. И се занизват спомен след спомен, пряко продължение на преживелиците от първата книга.
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/v...
July 2, 2021
"В хиляда и една нощи" на Тахир Шах продължава историята на писателя в Мароко, той все още живее в Дар Калифа със семейството си. След първоначалните предизвикателства свързани с ремонта на старата къща и коварнит�� джинове, Шах се чувства удобно с Мароко, но има нужда от нови предизвикателство и така случайността го запознава с берберската традиция за историята на сърцето. Никой не е напълно завършен докато не открие своята история. В своето търсене се връща назад към почти забравените древни традиции, свързани с устното творчество, разказването на приказки и предаването на знания. Устното творчество запада, заменено от египетски сериали за местните и бляскава екзотика за туристите, за които е по-интересно да се снимат с разказвачите на приказки, отколкото да чуят техните истории.
Приказките оживяват в нова светлина, освен удоволствие за слушателите, те носят дълбоко познание, което попива в съзнанието и с времето разкрива своя скрит смисъл, когато човек е готов.
"Много от приказките, които откривах в Мароко са донесени от бедуинското сърце на Арабия. Голяма част от тях сигурно са произлезли от по на изток, от Персия, Индия или Афганистан. Поклонническото движение в Африка се простира през Мароко до Мали и Тимбукту и през Алжир и Либия до Египет. За над хиляда години поклонниците пътували по пътя в кервани през пустинята, страхувайки се за живота си. Не е трудно да си представим как са си разказвали и преразказвали истории, сгушени в керван сараите под звездите, с камили, налягали около тях, за да ги топлят."
Хората пренасят знание, истории, различни предмети на занаятите, традиции. През света сякаш има невидими нишки, които свързват хората, като повтарящи се мотиви от приказка.
Сюжетът е много разнородна смес от вплетени приказки и анекдоти в случки и срещи с (не)обикновени хора по пътя на Тахир Шах.
Мароко има много лица, от забравения блясък на френския Танжер, до Маракеш, Мекнес, Фес и вълшебния Шефшауен до пустинята Сахара. Пътуването е изживяване, то променя. Сред тесните улици и забравените дюкяни, в които се продават истории, медината е пълна с живот и макар външно да е променена, духът ѝ е запазен.
В историята на Тахир Шах източният и западният начин на живот, на предаване на знания не се противопоставят, те се докосват и допълват.
Приказките оживяват в нова светлина, освен удоволствие за слушателите, те носят дълбоко познание, което попива в съзнанието и с времето разкрива своя скрит смисъл, когато човек е готов.
"Много от приказките, които откривах в Мароко са донесени от бедуинското сърце на Арабия. Голяма част от тях сигурно са произлезли от по на изток, от Персия, Индия или Афганистан. Поклонническото движение в Африка се простира през Мароко до Мали и Тимбукту и през Алжир и Либия до Египет. За над хиляда години поклонниците пътували по пътя в кервани през пустинята, страхувайки се за живота си. Не е трудно да си представим как са си разказвали и преразказвали истории, сгушени в керван сараите под звездите, с камили, налягали около тях, за да ги топлят."
Хората пренасят знание, истории, различни предмети на занаятите, традиции. През света сякаш има невидими нишки, които свързват хората, като повтарящи се мотиви от приказка.
Сюжетът е много разнородна смес от вплетени приказки и анекдоти в случки и срещи с (не)обикновени хора по пътя на Тахир Шах.
Мароко има много лица, от забравения блясък на френския Танжер, до Маракеш, Мекнес, Фес и вълшебния Шефшауен до пустинята Сахара. Пътуването е изживяване, то променя. Сред тесните улици и забравените дюкяни, в които се продават истории, медината е пълна с живот и макар външно да е променена, духът ѝ е запазен.
В историята на Тахир Шах източният и западният начин на живот, на предаване на знания не се противопоставят, те се докосват и допълват.
June 30, 2020
I first fell in love with Tahir Shah’s writing in “The Caliph’s House.” This sequel-of-sorts was just as outstanding as Mr. Shah continued to elucidate daily life in Morocco. This journey, however, also traveled far back in time and explored the tales of “The Arabian Nights.” Mr. Shah also presented a genuine and loving tribute to his late father and his vital transmission of stories throughout time. There were plenty of glorious stories told throughout; each one illuminating deep human truths. There was so much joy here as well, complimented by love, hope, and the ultimate journey to find the story in each of us.
May 6, 2021
Not for me, I guess
June 4, 2009
It took me a while to get through this book because it was so rich on so many levels. I am not passing this one on (sorry girls!) because I feel like I will have to read it many more times to get everything. It's a rich story within a story, where as the author describes the lines between fiction and lore are blended, much like the history and culture in Morocco.
So, now of course, I would like to add Morocco to one of the 1000 places to see before I die, despite the many negative things I have heard of the country. I suppose a strategically planned trip, with a ton of research would be the safest way to go.
Definitely a good read if you would like to escape and read an extraordinarily different book.
So, now of course, I would like to add Morocco to one of the 1000 places to see before I die, despite the many negative things I have heard of the country. I suppose a strategically planned trip, with a ton of research would be the safest way to go.
Definitely a good read if you would like to escape and read an extraordinarily different book.
July 28, 2012
Couldn't put this book down! Tahir Shah made me dream of flying carpets and the story in my heart! Highly recommend!!
March 1, 2021
Every once in a while, one comes across a book in which every word is to be savoured, stories and anecdotes which are to be played and replayed on our 'inward eye', the lilting cadence of the poetry to be harmonised with the self and when such a book comes, one feels great pride and satisfaction in having read it. The author's quest of story in one's heart through the labyrinthine travels across Morocco and an excellent and detailed observation about the beauty of orient, celebrating its differences with the occident makes this book truly a treat to read. If time is short or you are too distracted or simply you find oral wisdom nothing but mumbo jumbo, u may skip it, but for a deeper appreciation of an ancient culture that mirrors our own, and a better understanding of self, read it slow.... soaking in the underground streams of wisdom that crisscross not only this kingdom but also the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2012
While the author's first book "The Caliph's House" transported me on a magic carpet ride through the vibrants sights and sounds of Morocco, "In Arabian Nights" was bit of a disappointment. In this novel, Shah is in eager search for the story in his heart and travels all across Morocco solo and once with his family to uncover his own personal story. After grudgingly ploughing through 300+ pages, I have yet to determine what the story in his heart was.
The focus and flow of this novel was very haphazard and painful to follow. In fact, one of the chapters clearly defines the author's direction ""Your (Tahir the author) head is like a billiard table, and your thoughts are like the balls going in every direction".
Similar to "The Caliph's House", Shah highly praises the Oriental culture(Morocco included)on its strong family values, renowned hospitality and a siesta-like lifestyle. However, the praise comes at the criticism of the Occidental culture with its focus on materialism, superficialness and rigid mannerisms. This criticism gets a tad exhausting as Shah fails to realize that the Oriental culture also has its share of serious flaws.
The focus and flow of this novel was very haphazard and painful to follow. In fact, one of the chapters clearly defines the author's direction ""Your (Tahir the author) head is like a billiard table, and your thoughts are like the balls going in every direction".
Similar to "The Caliph's House", Shah highly praises the Oriental culture(Morocco included)on its strong family values, renowned hospitality and a siesta-like lifestyle. However, the praise comes at the criticism of the Occidental culture with its focus on materialism, superficialness and rigid mannerisms. This criticism gets a tad exhausting as Shah fails to realize that the Oriental culture also has its share of serious flaws.
January 19, 2022
A beautiful memoir and travelogue by Shah , recounting the life of Morocco . This place is so beautifully narrated, that one is transported there , and becomes the part of this magic land .
The book is deluged with exotic stories and so much to ponder on later . Stories are narrated to be passed and bequeathed from one generation to another , like a baton of knowledge and wealth being handed down ; and while reading this , I was transported to my childhood , when my maa, daadi and nani used to narrate the stories , we throwing temper tantrums and used to eat only when stories were fed to me and my brother . Stories are Food for the mind and the soul, and few of them I have bequeathed to my children . This read was like taking a trip down memory lane !
This book left an indelible mark in my heart as i could relive my childhood days and almost feel the hugs of my maa and grandmothers … it makes the reader well up at times and there is this sudden desire to visit this place and feel it . A must read !
December 18, 2023
Some books have their time for the reader. A Veiled Gazelle by Idries Shah is another that speaks opportunely at the moment. Story telling that belongs to The Thousand and One Nights, madness to miss reading it. A key stone that holds up an arch. “My father used to tell me that stories offer the listener a chance to escape but, more importantly, he said, they provide people with a chance to maximize their minds. Suspend ordinary constraints, allow the imagination to be freed, and we are charged with the capability of heighetned thought...............Learn to use your eyes as if they are your ears, he said, and you become connected with the ancient heritage of man, a dream world for the waking mind.” Tahir Shah, In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams. Each reading throws up nuggets of gold.
June 22, 2018
Perhaps, I was just not ready for the preachy and totally-disappointing journey this book makes. While the cover is alluring, "the story" (if there is one) fails to climb upto the surface and end the restless albeit exhausted reader's quest for it.
March 10, 2024
fun reading. Shah makes a good blend of stories from Arabian nights and his life in Morocco. he is looking for his own story but on the way manage cleverly to put us deeply in the art of moroccan story telling.
December 2, 2009
This travel book/memoir picks up where "The Caliph's House" left off, with the author and his family living in a mysterious, exotic home in Casablanca. Technically, it starts in a prison in Pakistan, but that is only for the first chapter.
The theme of "In Arabian Nights" is storytelling, thus the reference in the title to "Arabian Nights," aka "A Thousand and One Nights." "A Thousand and One Nights" also is referred to frequently in "In Arabian Nights," particularly a translation by Richard Burton (not the actor). What Tahir Shah chooses to tell us about "A Thousand and One Nights" and Burton's translation of the same crosses far into the "too much information" category for my taste.
As with "The Caliph's House," I'm glad I can experience Morocco vicariously via Shah's writing, because I don't want to live there, or even visit. It's clear that Shah loves living there, and it's also clear that he loves the people, and there is a lot to admire. I particularly admire the storytelling, although this seems to be under attack via Egyptian television. I also admire the hospitality of the Moroccan people. If you visit a home in Morocco and fall in love with something belonging to the host, a Persian rug, for example, you'd better not say so, because he will give it to you.
Shah, whose background combines East and West (Morocco is farther west geographically than Germany or Norway, but it's definitely in the East), seems perfectly comfortable in this culture. I think if I did travel to Casablanca and somehow found the Caliph's house and knocked on his door, he would not be able to turn me away.
I also think Shah must be a very good writer, because I don't think about the writing while I'm reading his books. He makes it look easy.
Here's an excerpt:
I placed the brogues on the counter. The cobbler took off his glasses, fumbled in a drawer, and fished for another pair. He put them on.
"These are very special shoes," he said. "Not like the rubbish people usually bring me."
I felt a twinge of pride run down my spine. "Can you resole them?"
The cobbler looked me in the eye. "You want rubber?"
"No, leather."
The old craftsman's eyes welled with tears. He turned round to the grimy wall behind his bench and tugged down a sheet of russet brown leather hanging on a makeshift hook.
"I have been keeping this since before my son was born," he said. "Every day I have looked at it, wondering if its time would ever come."
"How old is your son now?" I asked.
The cobbler scratched his hat. "About fifty," he said.
The theme of "In Arabian Nights" is storytelling, thus the reference in the title to "Arabian Nights," aka "A Thousand and One Nights." "A Thousand and One Nights" also is referred to frequently in "In Arabian Nights," particularly a translation by Richard Burton (not the actor). What Tahir Shah chooses to tell us about "A Thousand and One Nights" and Burton's translation of the same crosses far into the "too much information" category for my taste.
As with "The Caliph's House," I'm glad I can experience Morocco vicariously via Shah's writing, because I don't want to live there, or even visit. It's clear that Shah loves living there, and it's also clear that he loves the people, and there is a lot to admire. I particularly admire the storytelling, although this seems to be under attack via Egyptian television. I also admire the hospitality of the Moroccan people. If you visit a home in Morocco and fall in love with something belonging to the host, a Persian rug, for example, you'd better not say so, because he will give it to you.
Shah, whose background combines East and West (Morocco is farther west geographically than Germany or Norway, but it's definitely in the East), seems perfectly comfortable in this culture. I think if I did travel to Casablanca and somehow found the Caliph's house and knocked on his door, he would not be able to turn me away.
I also think Shah must be a very good writer, because I don't think about the writing while I'm reading his books. He makes it look easy.
Here's an excerpt:
I placed the brogues on the counter. The cobbler took off his glasses, fumbled in a drawer, and fished for another pair. He put them on.
"These are very special shoes," he said. "Not like the rubbish people usually bring me."
I felt a twinge of pride run down my spine. "Can you resole them?"
The cobbler looked me in the eye. "You want rubber?"
"No, leather."
The old craftsman's eyes welled with tears. He turned round to the grimy wall behind his bench and tugged down a sheet of russet brown leather hanging on a makeshift hook.
"I have been keeping this since before my son was born," he said. "Every day I have looked at it, wondering if its time would ever come."
"How old is your son now?" I asked.
The cobbler scratched his hat. "About fifty," he said.
September 22, 2011
I loved reading “The Caliph’s House.” The house renovations and Shah’s family adjusting to their new lives in Morocco was the focus.
The opening chapter in this next volume in Shah’s life is a recollection of his brutal imprisonment in Pakistan. While he does go back and further discuss that experience, I failed to see where it actually melded into the overall context of this book. Perhaps he should have written a short story specifically about that ordeal.
The main focus of the book is Shah traveling through Morocco in search of the story in his heart. I’m not a fairy tale person, and this book is filled with magical, mystical tales passed down through numerous generations. I enjoyed reading about many of the people he met but got bored with the fables. It wasn’t a bad book, just not my cup of tea and a bit of a disappointment after “Caliph’s House.”
The opening chapter in this next volume in Shah’s life is a recollection of his brutal imprisonment in Pakistan. While he does go back and further discuss that experience, I failed to see where it actually melded into the overall context of this book. Perhaps he should have written a short story specifically about that ordeal.
The main focus of the book is Shah traveling through Morocco in search of the story in his heart. I’m not a fairy tale person, and this book is filled with magical, mystical tales passed down through numerous generations. I enjoyed reading about many of the people he met but got bored with the fables. It wasn’t a bad book, just not my cup of tea and a bit of a disappointment after “Caliph’s House.”
July 17, 2017
"Tikroje kelionėje svarbūs ne ypatingi įspūdžiai, kuriais apstulbini draugus, grįžęs namo. Tikra kelionė - tai vienišumas, vienatvė, vakarai, praleisti vienumoje, trokštant būti kur nors kitur. Tik šios akimirkos yra tikrai vertingos. Jos kelia ir pasididžiavimą, ir gėdą, jas įsidedi į širdį".
Magiška, užburianti, mintimis nukelianti į vaikystę, knyga. Nesu skaičiusi kitų Tahir Shah kūrinių, bet ši tikrai verta dėmesio. Nors ji pristatoma kaip Maroko kelionės vadovas, šis kūrinys yra daug daugiau, nei tai. Autorius labai įtaigiai aprašo rytuose gyvenančių žmonių mentalitetą, jų vertybes, pasaulėžiūrą, kuri ženkliai skiriasi nuo vakarų. Čia labai daug trumpų pasakų, kurios vienaip ar kitaip ne tik paaiškina knygos siužetą, bet ir perteikia tam tikras vertybines Maroko nuostatas, atskleidžia jo kultūros ir tradicijų ypatumus. Tikrai labai rekomenduoju!
Magiška, užburianti, mintimis nukelianti į vaikystę, knyga. Nesu skaičiusi kitų Tahir Shah kūrinių, bet ši tikrai verta dėmesio. Nors ji pristatoma kaip Maroko kelionės vadovas, šis kūrinys yra daug daugiau, nei tai. Autorius labai įtaigiai aprašo rytuose gyvenančių žmonių mentalitetą, jų vertybes, pasaulėžiūrą, kuri ženkliai skiriasi nuo vakarų. Čia labai daug trumpų pasakų, kurios vienaip ar kitaip ne tik paaiškina knygos siužetą, bet ir perteikia tam tikras vertybines Maroko nuostatas, atskleidžia jo kultūros ir tradicijų ypatumus. Tikrai labai rekomenduoju!
August 7, 2017
Interesting, delicate, rich, full of knowledge. Loved Tahir Shar Arabian Nights! Would recommend to anyone that wants to find bridges between East and West. Lovely reading before going to Morocco.
"I take reeds from the river that have been nurtured by fresh water and grown in good soil, and I turn them into baskets, a product that has so many uses. I know how to make baskets from something so simple because my father taught me, and his father taught him. “Make baskets of your own,” he would say, “make them all kinds of shapes and colors. But never forget that your baskets are made of something that is there for anyone to cut and use. And never imagine that you created the reeds yourself. You are only the person who shapes them into something that can be of use to others.” (In Arabian Nights, Tahir Shah)
"I take reeds from the river that have been nurtured by fresh water and grown in good soil, and I turn them into baskets, a product that has so many uses. I know how to make baskets from something so simple because my father taught me, and his father taught him. “Make baskets of your own,” he would say, “make them all kinds of shapes and colors. But never forget that your baskets are made of something that is there for anyone to cut and use. And never imagine that you created the reeds yourself. You are only the person who shapes them into something that can be of use to others.” (In Arabian Nights, Tahir Shah)
July 13, 2022
I honestly don’t know what to think about this book.
On one hand I really enjoyed the descriptions of the beautiful landscapes and feel like I can now better understand a part of the maroccan society because I wasn’t aware that superstition plays such a big role for many people living there.
But on the other hand there was a complete lack of the female point of view which means the whole story is one sided and biased.
I feel like this is a book written from a man for men.
I really wished that the author would have acknowledged at one point that he is such a privileged individual who can only partly understand what it means for so many others to live in this male dominated country. Instead, he briefly touches on the sad story of a young woman and then immediately refocuses on the male view of this event.. this was just disappointing.
On one hand I really enjoyed the descriptions of the beautiful landscapes and feel like I can now better understand a part of the maroccan society because I wasn’t aware that superstition plays such a big role for many people living there.
But on the other hand there was a complete lack of the female point of view which means the whole story is one sided and biased.
I feel like this is a book written from a man for men.
I really wished that the author would have acknowledged at one point that he is such a privileged individual who can only partly understand what it means for so many others to live in this male dominated country. Instead, he briefly touches on the sad story of a young woman and then immediately refocuses on the male view of this event.. this was just disappointing.
July 16, 2010
Loved the Caliph's House and was hoping for more of the same, but I gave up two thirds of the way through this book. I found Tahir Shah's "search for the story inside" was just not enough of a story for me, and I trudged on hoping for something interesting to happen. It didn't. I also became irritated with his obvious distaste for all things western and his reverence for all things Moroccan. And does Tahir Shah ever meet women he admires or even likes? Can't judge a book by its cover.
January 30, 2019
Truly delightful! I'll be looking for stories, storytellers and perhaps my own story. At first the writing style seemed very disconnected but then I realized that all the little stories of our lives are disconnected until we connect them through our experiences.
March 20, 2019
It's hard to not love any of Tahir's works and this one is no exception. Be warned however, if you are very familiar with his other works - especially the Caliph's House - you might find a few bits of it repetitive. Despite this it still worth a read!
August 28, 2018
Story telling that belongs to The Thousand and One Nights. The Keystone that holds up the Arch.
Magic in its pages.
Magic in its pages.
August 25, 2023
So mesmerising, incredible to read this book while also in Morocco. You get carried away in all the stories, it's just really sweet and moving.
January 1, 2024
One of my top two favorite reads in 2023! I was grateful to read while traveling through Morocco. It added a rich, dreamy extra layer of education and culture to my trip 💙
June 29, 2018
***
<...> Kuo daugiau kartų skaitai pasaką – vieną ir tą pačią pasaką, – juo stipriau ji veikia tavo protą. Pasaka, kaip gražus žiedo pumpuras, sakė jis, išsiskleidžia ir pražysta tik laikui bėgant. Matydamas, kaip mano vaikams patinka be paliovos klausytis tų pačių pasakų, aš supratau, jog šis kartojimas savotiškai lemtas prigimties. Tačiau būdami suaugę ir gyvendami pasaulyje, kuriame tekstus įprasta skaityti, o ne kartoti žodžiu ar klausytis, mes dažniau renkamės naują, o ne jau žinomą knygą.
Ypač didžiuojamės tokiu savo gebėjimu kaip skaitymo įgūdžiai. Kas metai pas mus išleidžiama šimtai knygų, jų pilnos didžiulės bibliotekos. Be abejo, visuotinis išsilavinimas paskatino skaityti. Kuo daugiau rašytinių tekstų yra kambaryje, tuo vertingesnis jis mums atrodo, tuo išmanesniais save laikome – juk galime pasinaudoti tokia galybe rašinių. Tvirtai laikomės įsitikinimo, kad kuo daugiau skaitome, tuo išmintingesnis daromės.
Mano tėvas pasakytų, kad Vakarų pasaulyje per daug laiko skiriama skaityti ir per mažai – suprasti.
***
– Skubinti sekti gerą pasaką yra sunkus nusikaltimas. <...>
– Tada man teks grįžti rytoj. <...>
– Yra dar vienas nusikaltimas, sunkesnis už mėginimą skubinti pasaką.
– Koks?
– Nebaigti pasakoti pradėtos pasakos.
***
– Ką jums reiškia knygos?
– Jos kaip labirintas... svajonės, sapno dalis.
***
Reikia daug kelionių, kad žalias žmogus prinoktų. [Arabų patarlė]
***
Tikroje kelionėje svarbūs ne ypatingi įspūdžiai , kuriais apstulbinti draugus, grįžęs namo. Tikra kelionė – tai vienišumas, vienatvė, vakarai, praleisti vienumoje, trokštant būti kur nors kitur. Tik šios akimirkos yra tikrai vertingos. Jos kelia ir pasididžiavimą, ir gėdą, jas įsileidi į širdį.
***
Jei žmogus miegodamas jaučiasi geriau negu atsibūdęs, tai jam geriau mirti.
***
Iš visų jo pasakų giliausias šaknis įleido viena, pavadinta „Rojaus vanduo“.
„Seniai, labai seniai beduinų piemuo keliavo per neaprėpiamą Pietų dykumą, tik staiga pastebėjo, kad jo avys laižo smėlį. Piemuo priėjo arčiau ir be galo nustebo, kai ten atrado šaltinį. Pasilenkęs paragavo vandens. Vos liežuvius prisilietus prie drėgmės, jis iškart suprato, jog tai ne paprastas gėrimas, kokį tik įmanoma įsivaizduoti, daug tobulesnis už visus gaiviuosius gėrimus, kuriuos jam iki šiol teko regėti sapnuose.
Piemuo nugėrė dar gurkšnelį ir staiga suprato turįs rimtą pareigą. Jis buvo klusnus didžiojo Harūno ar Rašido valdinys, tad privalėjo nunešti vandens dovanų pačiam kalifui.
Prisipylęs rojaus vandens į tvirčiausią vandensmaišį, piemuo paliko avis prižiūrėti broliui ir leidosi per smėlio kopas į Bagdadą. Daug dienų sunkiai ėjęs, kamuojamas troškulio, jis galiausiai pasiekė rūmų vartus. Iš pradžių karaliaus sargybiniai jį nustūmė šalin ir pagrasino nukirsti galvą, jei dar gaišins jų laiką. Bet piemuo maldaudamas rodė jiems vandensmaišį ir šaukė:
– Aš atnešiau dovaną kalifui. Tai rojaus vanduo.
Didieji rūmų vartai vos vos prasivėrė, beduiną piemenį įtraukė vidun. Nespėjęs nė atsikvošėti, jis jau klūpojo sosto menėje priešais patį Harūną ar Rašidą. Aplink vykdydami savo pareigas zujo tarnai, o kalifas paklausė piemens, ko šis atėjęs.
Iškėlęs priešais save maišą pradvisusio vandens, beduinas tarė:
– Jūsų didenybe, aš tik paprastas žmogelis iš didžiosios Pietų dykumos. Iki šios dienos niekada nesu matęs prabangos. Ganydamas avis netyčia atradau gardžiausią gėrimą pasaulyje. Apie jį kalbėjo mūsų tėvai ir protėviai, bet iki šios dienos niekas niekada nebuvo jo ragavęs. Jūsų didenybe, jūsų šviesybe, štai jis – aš jums jį dovanoju, tai rojaus vanduo.
<...> Harūnas priglaudė taurę prie lūpų, pauostė rojaus vandenį, paskui paragavo. Piemuo ir visi rūmininkai nekantraudami palinko į priekį. Harūnas ar Rašidas, dienos ir nakties valdovas, nieko nepasakė. Po kelių minučių tylos didysis viziris pasilenkė prie kalifo, kol jo lūpos beveik priartėjo prie valdovo ausies.
– Nukirsti jam galvą, jūsų didenybe?
Harūnas ranką pasiglostė smakrą.
Jis padėkojo piemeniui už dovaną ir pašnibždomis davė slaptus nurodymus viziriui.
– Tegu jį tamsoje parveda atgal pas jo bandą, – paliepė jis, – kad piemuo nieku gyvu nepamatytų didžiosios Tigro upės ir neparagautų saldaus jos vandens, tokio įprasto ir kasdieniško mums. Tada apdovanokite jį tūkstančiu aukso monetų ir paskelbkite, kad jis ir jo įpėdiniai visiems laikams skiriami rojaus vandens sergėtojais.“
<...> Kuo daugiau kartų skaitai pasaką – vieną ir tą pačią pasaką, – juo stipriau ji veikia tavo protą. Pasaka, kaip gražus žiedo pumpuras, sakė jis, išsiskleidžia ir pražysta tik laikui bėgant. Matydamas, kaip mano vaikams patinka be paliovos klausytis tų pačių pasakų, aš supratau, jog šis kartojimas savotiškai lemtas prigimties. Tačiau būdami suaugę ir gyvendami pasaulyje, kuriame tekstus įprasta skaityti, o ne kartoti žodžiu ar klausytis, mes dažniau renkamės naują, o ne jau žinomą knygą.
Ypač didžiuojamės tokiu savo gebėjimu kaip skaitymo įgūdžiai. Kas metai pas mus išleidžiama šimtai knygų, jų pilnos didžiulės bibliotekos. Be abejo, visuotinis išsilavinimas paskatino skaityti. Kuo daugiau rašytinių tekstų yra kambaryje, tuo vertingesnis jis mums atrodo, tuo išmanesniais save laikome – juk galime pasinaudoti tokia galybe rašinių. Tvirtai laikomės įsitikinimo, kad kuo daugiau skaitome, tuo išmintingesnis daromės.
Mano tėvas pasakytų, kad Vakarų pasaulyje per daug laiko skiriama skaityti ir per mažai – suprasti.
***
– Skubinti sekti gerą pasaką yra sunkus nusikaltimas. <...>
– Tada man teks grįžti rytoj. <...>
– Yra dar vienas nusikaltimas, sunkesnis už mėginimą skubinti pasaką.
– Koks?
– Nebaigti pasakoti pradėtos pasakos.
***
– Ką jums reiškia knygos?
– Jos kaip labirintas... svajonės, sapno dalis.
***
Reikia daug kelionių, kad žalias žmogus prinoktų. [Arabų patarlė]
***
Tikroje kelionėje svarbūs ne ypatingi įspūdžiai , kuriais apstulbinti draugus, grįžęs namo. Tikra kelionė – tai vienišumas, vienatvė, vakarai, praleisti vienumoje, trokštant būti kur nors kitur. Tik šios akimirkos yra tikrai vertingos. Jos kelia ir pasididžiavimą, ir gėdą, jas įsileidi į širdį.
***
Jei žmogus miegodamas jaučiasi geriau negu atsibūdęs, tai jam geriau mirti.
***
Iš visų jo pasakų giliausias šaknis įleido viena, pavadinta „Rojaus vanduo“.
„Seniai, labai seniai beduinų piemuo keliavo per neaprėpiamą Pietų dykumą, tik staiga pastebėjo, kad jo avys laižo smėlį. Piemuo priėjo arčiau ir be galo nustebo, kai ten atrado šaltinį. Pasilenkęs paragavo vandens. Vos liežuvius prisilietus prie drėgmės, jis iškart suprato, jog tai ne paprastas gėrimas, kokį tik įmanoma įsivaizduoti, daug tobulesnis už visus gaiviuosius gėrimus, kuriuos jam iki šiol teko regėti sapnuose.
Piemuo nugėrė dar gurkšnelį ir staiga suprato turįs rimtą pareigą. Jis buvo klusnus didžiojo Harūno ar Rašido valdinys, tad privalėjo nunešti vandens dovanų pačiam kalifui.
Prisipylęs rojaus vandens į tvirčiausią vandensmaišį, piemuo paliko avis prižiūrėti broliui ir leidosi per smėlio kopas į Bagdadą. Daug dienų sunkiai ėjęs, kamuojamas troškulio, jis galiausiai pasiekė rūmų vartus. Iš pradžių karaliaus sargybiniai jį nustūmė šalin ir pagrasino nukirsti galvą, jei dar gaišins jų laiką. Bet piemuo maldaudamas rodė jiems vandensmaišį ir šaukė:
– Aš atnešiau dovaną kalifui. Tai rojaus vanduo.
Didieji rūmų vartai vos vos prasivėrė, beduiną piemenį įtraukė vidun. Nespėjęs nė atsikvošėti, jis jau klūpojo sosto menėje priešais patį Harūną ar Rašidą. Aplink vykdydami savo pareigas zujo tarnai, o kalifas paklausė piemens, ko šis atėjęs.
Iškėlęs priešais save maišą pradvisusio vandens, beduinas tarė:
– Jūsų didenybe, aš tik paprastas žmogelis iš didžiosios Pietų dykumos. Iki šios dienos niekada nesu matęs prabangos. Ganydamas avis netyčia atradau gardžiausią gėrimą pasaulyje. Apie jį kalbėjo mūsų tėvai ir protėviai, bet iki šios dienos niekas niekada nebuvo jo ragavęs. Jūsų didenybe, jūsų šviesybe, štai jis – aš jums jį dovanoju, tai rojaus vanduo.
<...> Harūnas priglaudė taurę prie lūpų, pauostė rojaus vandenį, paskui paragavo. Piemuo ir visi rūmininkai nekantraudami palinko į priekį. Harūnas ar Rašidas, dienos ir nakties valdovas, nieko nepasakė. Po kelių minučių tylos didysis viziris pasilenkė prie kalifo, kol jo lūpos beveik priartėjo prie valdovo ausies.
– Nukirsti jam galvą, jūsų didenybe?
Harūnas ranką pasiglostė smakrą.
Jis padėkojo piemeniui už dovaną ir pašnibždomis davė slaptus nurodymus viziriui.
– Tegu jį tamsoje parveda atgal pas jo bandą, – paliepė jis, – kad piemuo nieku gyvu nepamatytų didžiosios Tigro upės ir neparagautų saldaus jos vandens, tokio įprasto ir kasdieniško mums. Tada apdovanokite jį tūkstančiu aukso monetų ir paskelbkite, kad jis ir jo įpėdiniai visiems laikams skiriami rojaus vandens sergėtojais.“
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