Sindbad the Sailor's First Voyage

In the time of the caliph Harun-er-Rashid, there lived in Baghdad a very rich merchant named Sindbad the Sailor. His house was filled with silken cloths, glittering lamps, and great bowls of dates and pomegranates. No one knew where his wealth had come from. One evening, when the lanterns were glowing softly over the courtyard, a poor man came to the gate. His name was Sindbad the Landsman, and he had carried heavy burdens through the hot streets all day long.

Sindbad the Sailor smiled and invited the Landsman into his house. He offered him cool water, sweet bread, and fresh figs. When the guest had eaten, the Sailor leaned forward and said in a gentle voice, 'You may think my wealth came easily to me. Then listen, and I will tell you the tale of my first voyage across the sea. It is a long story of waves and winds, of a giant fish, and of a king at the world's edge.'

'My father was a merchant of great wealth,' Sindbad began. 'When he died, I inherited everything he owned. I was young, and I gave no thought to tomorrow. I dined at the finest taverns in Baghdad, I gave coins to my friends, and I bought every shining thing in the bazaar. So I lived for many years. But one day I opened my chests and found them almost empty. I had squandered my father's wealth.'

'Then I came to my senses,' said Sindbad. 'I sold the last of my belongings for three thousand pieces of silver. With part of the money I bought goods to trade in distant lands, fine cloths, jewels, and spices. The rest I hid in a leather pouch close to my chest. Then I went down to the harbour of Basra and boarded a great ship along with many other merchants. The sails lifted in the wind, and I said farewell to Baghdad.'

'For many days and nights we sailed across the sea. We landed at small islands, sold spices, bought pearls, and sailed on. The sun blazed, the wind whispered in the sails, and I learned to read the stars. One morning we saw an island greener than any other. It looked like a small piece of paradise that had drifted out onto the sea. Our ship dropped anchor, and we went ashore to rest.'