Tales from the Thousand and one nights.

1) "Suddenly the waves of the sea surged and foamed before them, and there arose from the deep a black pillar which almost touched the sky. Struck with terror at the sight, they climbed into the tree. When they reached the top they were able to see that it was a jinnee of gigantic stature, carrying a chest on his head. The jinnee waded to the shore and walked towards the tree which sheltered the two brothers. Then, having seated himself beneath it, he opened the chest, and took from it a box, which he also opened; and there rose from the box a beautiful young girl, radiant as the sun."

2) "At last came the day when the Vizier roamed the city in search of a virgin for the King, and could find none. Dreading the King's anger, he returned to his house with a heavy heart.
Now the Vizier had two daughters. The elder was called Shahrazad, and the younger Dunyazad. Shahrazad possessed many accomplishments and was versed in the wisdom of the poets and the legends of the ancient kings.
That day Shahrazad noticed her father's anxiety and asked him what it was that troubled him. When the Vizier told her of his predicament, she said: 'Give me in marriage to this King: either I shall die and be a ransom for the daughters of Moslems, or live and be the cause of their deliverance.'"

3) "He went round the outskirts of the town, and, as he sat down to rest at the door of a hut, he heard the voice of a young girl within, saying: 'Please, mother, what day was I born on? One of my friends wants to tell my fortune.'
'My daughter,' replied the woman solemnly, 'you were born on the very night of Abu Hasan's fart.'
When he heard these words, he got up and fled. 'Abu Hasan,' he said to himself, 'the day of your fart has become a date which will surely be remembered till the end of time.'
He travelled on until he was back in India, where he remained in exile until his death. May Allah have mercy upon him."

4) "Then Aladdin took her into his arms and kissed her, and they loved each other more than ever.
At that moment the Sultan arrived. They related to him all that had happened, and showed him the sorcerer's body. The Sultan ordered that he should be burnt and his ashes scattered to the winds, like his brother's.
Aladdin dwelt with the Princess in serenity and joy, and thenceforth escaped all dangers. When the Sultan died he inherited his throne and reigned justly over the kingdom. All his subjects loved him, and he lived happily with Badr-al-Budur until they were visited by the Destroyer of all earthly pleasures, the Annihilator of men."

5) "'My lord,' he replied, 'we have been drifting off our course these twenty days and there is no favouring wind to carry us back. Tomorrow we shall come to a cliff of black rock called the Magnetic Mountain, against which the headlong current will hurl our ship and shatter it to pieces. All her nails will dart from her and cling to the Magnetic Mountain, for Allah has endowed its stone with such power that it draws all things of iron to itself. He alone knows what mass of wreckage lies scattered among its rocks. On its summit there is a dome of brass held up by ten pillars, and upon this dome stands a horseman on a brazen steed, with a spear of brass in his hand and a leaden tablet on his breast, inscribed with talismanic names. Know, great King, that so long as this rider stays upon his horse, all ships that pass below shall be destroyed and all their sailors drowned. Until he has fallen from his horse no mariner can be safe."

6) "Near the couch I also saw lighted candles and, inferring that some human hand must have lit them, went on searching through the other halls. I was so enraptured with the splendour of all I beheld that I forgot my sisters, the ship, and the voyage which brought me to that city. When night came I tried to leave the palace, but, unable to find my way, retraced my steps to the hall with the lighted candles. There I lay down on the couch and, covering myself with a silken quilt, recited some verses from the Koran and endeavoured to compose my mind for sleep.
But I could not sleep, and at midnight I suddenly heard a low, melodious voice intoning the Koran. I rose at once and, hastening in the direction from which the sound proceeded, came to a chamber with an open door. I entered softly, and found that the room was a shrine of worship. It was lighted by lamps and candles and on the floor lay a prayer-rug upon which a handsome young man was reading the Koran aloud. Marvelling how he alone could have escaped the fate of all the city, I walked towards him and wished him peace. He turned his eyes upon me and answered my greeting."

7) "The King embraced his three sons, and his eyes filled with tears as he answered: 'I swear by Allah, Shahrazad, that you were already pardoned before the coming of these children. I loved you because I found you chaste and tender, wise and eloquent. May Allah bless you, and bless your father and mother, your ancestors, and all your descendants. O, Shahrazad, this thousand and first night is brighter for us than the day!"