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Shishu Sansaar | Arabian Nights Stories-2

Arabian Nights Stories-2

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Story No 44-2/4

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44-2 - Alee Baabaa and the Forty Thieves (2 of 4):
Robbers Kill Kaasim

In the meantime the thieves came there and entered the cave. As they went inside, they saw a man in the cave. They kept all the bags at their places. They guessed that Kaasim did enter the cave but could not get out of the cave, but they could not imagine that how did he enter the cave, because they could not think that somebody might have heard their secret key to open the door. But since it has happened, now the most important question was of the cave's security. They cut the Kaasim's body in four parts and hung its two parts on one side and the other two parts on the other side inside the door of the cave. It was done just to terrify the person who attempted to open the door of the cave in future. Then they went away.

Now when Kaasim did not return till night, his wife got frightened, ran to Alee Baabaa's house and said to him - "O Brother, I think Kaasim has gone to that cave and he has not returned yet. I guess something bad has happened to him." Alee Baabaa never thought that his brother would go to the cave so soon, so he condemned his brother's behavior and told her that maybe he would come in late night. But the midnight came and still there was no sign of Kaasim. She did not go to Alee Baabaa's house in the night, but as soon the day broke she went to his house again.

Alee Baabaa asked her to be calm and immediately went to the cave with his three asses. He did not see either the mules or his brother, but some spots of blood near the door. He also expected something bad, so he opened the door and to his dismay, he found his brother's body cut in four parts hung on either side of the door. He immediately took his body parts, wrapped in a cloth, loaded them on his one ass; he loaded the gold on his other two asses and returned after the night had fallen. He handed over the two asses laden with gold to his wife, and took the third one to his sister-in-law's house.

The door was opened by Kaasim's clever and intelligent slave Marjeenaa. He unloaded the ass and said to Marjeenaa  - "You keep this secret for the good of your mistress and myself. Your master's body is in these two bundles, and now we will have to bury him as if he has died natural death. Go and tell your mistress that "I want to speak to her" and mind what I have said to you."

Marjeenaa went to her mistress and Alee Baabaa followed her. He told her that the news was not good, but she should hear the full story without interrupting him and quietly. He told her the whole story and said to her - "Now, You have to bury him as if he has died naturally. I think you can leave this to Marjeenaa and I will help you in whatever way I can." Kaasim's wife had no alternative and Alee Baabaa went away leaving them there.

Merjeenaa immediately went to a doctor and asked him to prepare some lozenges, which he prepared soon and asked her "Who is ill?". Marjeenaa said - "Kaasim himself is ill. They do not know his exact illness but he is neither eating nor speaking." After saying this she hastily came back to home. Next morning she went to the same doctor again with tears in her eyes and asked for the essence which they used to give to somebody in his last moments. Taking the essence she said - "I am afraid, this essence is also not going to work either and I am going to lose my master."

People also saw Alee Baabaa and his wife going to Kaasim's house frequently on that day, so they were not surprised to hear the cries of Kaasim's wife in the evening. Next morning Marjeenaa went to a cobbler, Baabaa Mustafaa, and gave him a gold coin. He looked at it asked Marjeenaa - "What can I do for you?" Marjeenaa said - "I will take you to a certain place blindfolded. Take your sewing material and come with me." Mustafaa hesitated at this offer, he said - "It means you want me to do something against my conscious and honor?" Marjeenaa put another piece of gold on his palm and said - "No, no. Just come with me and do not fear."

Marjeenaa brought him to her master's house. She said - "Mustafaa, You should sew my master's parts together soon and when you are done I will give you another piece of gold." When he had done, she gave him the third piece of gold, blindfolded him again and dropped him at his shop. She asked him to keep this secret. Kaasim's body was buried with all formal ceremonies. And thus nobody knew about Kaasim's murder.

After a few days Alee Baabaa removed his few goods to his brother's house. The money which was taken from the robbers he returned it to them in the night. And soon Kaasim's widow's marriage was announced. Alee Baabaa gave Kaasim's shop to his eldest son.

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Created by Sushma Gupta on January 15, 2002
Contact:  sushmajee@yahoo.com
Modified on 09/19/13