The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor

In Baghdad, there once lived two men with almost the same name: Sinbad the Porter, who was poor and tired, and Sinbad the Sailor, who was rich and cheerful. One day, the rich Sinbad invited the porter to his home. "Don't be angry at your fate," he said. "Listen to how I fought and feared, yet still found my way home. Here, then, are my seven voyages."

First voyage: I had inherited money, but I longed for the sea. My ship anchored at a seemingly green island. We made a fire – but the island moved! It was no island at all, but a gigantic whale that suddenly dived. Everything was thrown overboard! I clung to a plank and drifted until I reached a shore. Local people took me to their kind king. I worked diligently and patiently waited. One day, a ship came to the harbor – my old one! The captain thought I was dead, but when he saw me, he joyfully returned my goods. I returned to Baghdad, both wiser and richer.

Second voyage: I promised to stay home, but the sea called again. We reached an island where an egg lay, bigger than a house. It was a roc's egg, belonging to the biggest of all birds. I asked the men to leave it alone, but they didn't listen. Instead, they broke the shell. The parent birds came like storms, dropping great stone blocks that crushed our ship. I quickly tied myself to a roc's leg with my turban. The bird flew me to a deep valley, full of gleaming diamonds – and large, poisonous snakes. Merchants used to throw down meat, knowing diamonds would stick to it, and eagles would then carry it up. I fastened many jewels into my belt, kept a safe distance from the snakes, and called out when an eagle lifted the meat. The merchants helped me up. Back home in Baghdad, I gratefully shared my riches and thanked God for my rescue.

Third voyage: I sailed out again. We ended up among small, cunning ape-men who promptly stole our ship. We built a raft and drifted to a dark, menacing island. There lived a gigantic creature, terrible and hungry. We understood we had to flee immediately. We sharpened stakes, heated them in the fire, blinded the giant, and then ran toward the shore. On the raft, the sea took us onward, but the dangers were far from over. A snake as thick as a tree appeared and swallowed men at night. I climbed high up into a tree to stay safe until fishermen found me at dawn and took me to a safe city. And so I came home again, saved once more.

Fourth voyage: The sea beckoned. Our boat was crushed by a storm, and I was washed up on a green island where an old man sat by the water. He signaled that he wanted to be carried across the brook. I carried him onto my back. But he didn't climb off! He clung fast like a rope and drove me day and night. I grew weak and sad. Then I had an idea. I gave him some sweet, strong drink from a grapevine. He fell asleep and slid off. I ran! Merchants then took me to their king. I traded in pepper, coconuts, and pearls, and traveled home with new comforts – and with a valuable lesson: mercy is good, but wisdom is also needed.

Fifth voyage: On my next journey, I came to a city with a strange custom. I married there and lived happily, until misfortune struck: if one spouse died, the other had to follow into a great cave, with only a little food and water. My wife became ill and died, and according to the city's grim law, I was carried down into the cave. The darkness was deep and suffocating. I rationed the bread, listened intently, and searched desperately. I heard small animals slipping in and out through a crack. With my hands and a stone, I widened the opening and crawled after them, long and laboriously, until I finally saw light. Out by the shore, I gathered jewels that had also lain within the cave, a small comfort for the sorrow and fear I had endured. Sailors eventually found me and took me aboard. When I reached Baghdad, I gave alms for my wife's sake and rested for a long time.

Sixth voyage: Still, I sailed again. I came to Serendib, an island with mountains that glimmered and trees that bore fragrant spices. The kind king there showed me wonders: a throne of solid gold, a sphere of dazzling jewels, and fantastic animals. He sent me home with gifts and a letter to our caliph Harun al-Rashid. The caliph smiled when he read the words, thanked the king through me, and allowed me to rest in the palace's shade. I thought to myself, "Surely, now it must be enough."

Seventh voyage: But one last time, I set off, as the caliph's envoy back to Serendib. On the way back, pirates attacked. They took everything and sold me as a slave to a man who gathered ivory. He put a bow and arrow in my hand and led me deep into the forest. "Climb up into the trees when the elephants come," he said. I obeyed and saw how the wise animals hid themselves. I thought long and hard, and spoke kindly with my master. "Let's follow the elephants to their resting place," I suggested. We waited and found a hidden place where old tusks were gathered, left by nature itself. My master became rich without hunting, thanked me, and gave me freedom and great gifts. I found my way home via some sailors I'd helped before. When I stepped into Baghdad again, I kissed the ground with joy.

So ended my seven incredible voyages. I gave Sinbad the Porter many gifts and lasting friendship. "Now I stay on land," I said. "Courage is good, but gratitude is greater. The sea is wide, but the heart becomes richest when it shares." And from that day onward, we lived in peace, often telling tales of winds, waves, and all the paths that lead home.