During his short life, Gauf wrote many good and good tales. Many of them have been familiar to us since childhood. The collections include, as a rule, the most popular of them: “Little Muck”, “The Story of a Cut Off Hand”, “Dwarf Nose” and many others. Surely, in any library there is such a book. The Caliph Stork is one of the most famous tales of the great Hauf. It is permeated with oriental motifs. Based on her motives, television and animated films were created. Recall its summary.
Caliph Stork. Introduction
Baghdad Caliph Hasid sat quietly in his quiet evening, smoking his favorite
rosewood pipe and drinking aromatic coffee, which the slave poured into his bowl. The mood of the nobleman was fine, did not bode bad. At such moments, it was possible to speak with him on any topic, to ask for anything. It was at this time that the wise vizier of his Manzor liked to visit his master. So that evening, a faithful servant of his caliph visited. He came and informed Hasid that at the bottom near his palace was a merchant of trinkets and was offering his goods. Caliph wanted to please his vizier on this beautiful evening, and he sent his slave for this street vendor. When the latter came to them, the nobles bought pistols for him and a magnificent comb for Manzor’s wife. When the merchant was about to leave, the vizier noticed a black box and an old manuscript, which was attached to him. The seller did not know about what was in the casket and suggested the nobles to buy it from him. So they did. The caliph could not read the ancient manuscript and ordered to call Selim the literate, who knew all languages. The scientist who came could still unravel what is written in this scroll and announced this to the nobles. He said that a secret message was contained here: “He who sniffs the powder from this casket and utters the magic word“ Mutabor ”will turn into any animal into which he wishes and understands the language of all animals and birds on earth. In order to return to the previous appearance, one should bow three times to the east and say the same word. But woe to those who laugh in the guise of an animal. Then that person will forget the magic word and forever remain a beast. " After listening to all this, the vizier and caliph decided the very next day to try out the effect of the wonderful powder on themselves. They didn’t really believe in its power. The next chapter (its summary) will tell about what happened next.
Caliph Stork. Development of events
The next day, as soon as it dawned, Hasid and Mansour went to the garden to find some animals there and to eavesdrop on their conversations. After wandering there for a while and not finding anything remarkable, they go to the old pond,
where storks live. “Here the time has come for a miracle to happen,” they both decide, inhale the magic powder and pronounce the word mutabor. Instantly, the caliph and his faithful vizier turn into storks. They hear the conversations of these amazing birds and understand them. Glancing at each other, the nobles burst out laughing, and when they came to their senses, it was too late. The magic word that was supposed to turn them back into people they no longer remembered. They wandered for a long time in this guise in the swamp, and then went to Baghdad to the palace. There they saw a festive procession of the people in honor of the election of the new ruler of the glorious city. It was Mizra - the son of the deadly enemy of the caliph Hasid the wizard Kashnur. So our heroes became aware who conjured them. That merchant from the street was sent to them by the treacherous Kashnur. Hasid and Manzur did not know who could help their trouble. They decided to go to Mecca to the grave of the prophet, hoping there to find answers to their questions. On the way there, flying over the valley, they saw some ruins that were once a beautiful palace. Storks went down to spend the night. In one of the halls they heard someone quiet crying. Following his sound, Hasid and Manzur in one of the dilapidated rooms saw a large night owl. She told the travelers her sad story. It turned out that this is an owl - an enchanted princess, the daughter of the king of India. The evil wizard Kashnur turned it into an owl, who often flies to this castle to arrange feasts for his loved ones. Hasid and Manzur realized that this was their chance to become human again. After all, it is possible that at one of these gatherings a word will be spoken that they have forgotten. For his help, the owl asked one of them to marry her. Since the vizier was already married, the choice fell on a single caliph. Only in this way the evil spell will collapse, and the owl will again turn into a girl, Hasid agreed to marry the princess, not even knowing what she looks like. How this amazing story ended, the next chapter (its summary) will tell.
Caliph Stork. Denouement
Finally, the decisive moment has come. Kashnur flew into the castle with his associates. There was with him a street vendor who deceived our heroes. At the feast, he said that the caliph and his faithful vizier had forgotten the word "mutabor" and now they will walk as storks until the end of their days. Hasid and Manzur heard all this. They immediately repeated the word and bowed three times to the east. A moment, and they again became people. Turning around, they saw a beautiful girl. It was a princess - now the caliph's wife. Nothing reminded her of the shape of an owl. As soon as these miracles happened, the travelers went to Baghdad, where the people had already rebelled against Mizra and his evil father. The appearance of caliph was received with joy by everyone. He again became the ruler of this glorious city. Khalifa ordered Kashnura to be hanged in the very dungeon where the night owl had recently lived. And he offered his stupid son a choice: death or smell the magic powder from a black box. He chose the latter and turned into an animal. He was locked in a cage and put out in the garden for all to see. And Caliph Hasid lived happily ever after with his wife. This ends this amazing story (here is a summary of it). The Caliph Stork is truly one of
the best tales of the great Hauf. It is interesting to read for both adults and children. For young readers, it will be a good lesson, as its main idea is that you must always follow certain instructions.
Thus, the work “Caliph Stork” teaches children to follow the rules and orders of adults. Gauf's tale has educational value.