[ominous gongs] - Hi.

My name is Mason Adams and, you know something, I love good books and stories.

Fact is, most everybody I know loves good books and stories.

Of course, there are many, many books with stories, with fairy tales, with folk tales.

Each different, just like... just like these books here.

Now, I happen to be especially fond of fairy tales.

Do you like fairy tales?

I thought so.

But believe it or not, you and I aren't the first ones to enjoy fairy tales.

You see, many years ago, there weren't any televisions to watch or movies to go to.

Can you imagine that your grandfathers and grandmothers didn't have a television set when they were growing up?

Well, they didn't.

So what happened was that people would meet together in the dark wintery hours, and while they spun a thread or plucked the goose feathers for pillows, they entertained themselves by making up fairy tales.

And children, like you, would sit at the feet of their parents, they'd look into the flames of the fire, and they'’d listen.

And when those children grew up, they told the stories to their children.

And later, those stories were printed in books.

One artist who lived not long ago and who told stories through his art was a man named Walter Anderson.

Now, Mr. Anderson loved to paint and carve.

For the enjoyment of his children, he carved pictures into large linoleum blocks.

And when the carving was finished, he spread ink on the linoleum, and made impressions on paper, which he then colored just as you would color in your coloring book.

Mr. Anderson loved old stories and fairy tales from faraway lands such as England, Germany, France, or Arabia.

Stories that have been told and retold for hundreds of years.

The stories he loved still inspire writers today.

And one writer, Ellen Douglas, told them again in the book I have here.

Would you like to hear a few?

What about some from ancient Arabia?

Okay.

Make yourselves comfortable.

I'll make myself comfortable.

And we'll let our imaginations take us to this faraway land, to a time long ago.

[mystical chime music] All lovers of fairy tales know how, in the days of yore and time long gone before, there was a Sultan in Baghdad, who, because his wife betrayed him, vowed vengeance against all the women in the world.

Thereafter, he had brought to his chamber every night an innocent young girl.

And in the morning, having had his pleasure of her, set her to be-- there's no other word for it-- strangled.

And we also know that the daughter of the Sultan's Vizier, Shahrazad, resolving to save her sisters from such a fate, went to her father and said, "“How long must this slaughter endure, my father?

Let me, I pray you, go to the Sultan tonight.

Perhaps I can so charm him that I will break this dreadful cycle.

"” Her father, horrified, did all he could to dissuade her.

But Shahrazad persisted, saying that she had a plan in mind and that, if her plan failed, she would go to her death glorious, while if it succeeded, she would have done a service to all women everywhere.

And so at last, her father consented.

When she went into the Sultan that night, Shahrazad, as she had agreed beforehand with her sister, Dunyazad, asked as a boon, if Dunyazad might spend the night at the foot of the Sultan's couch and be near her to bid her a last farewell in the morning.

To this, the Sultan consented.

Of course, as we all know, Dunyazad before daybreak asked Shahrazad to while away the dark hour with a story, and thus began the thousand nights and a night on every one of which the Sultan had his will of Shahrazad, and she, to put off her death, told a story so fascinating that the Sultan, when she broke off at dawn, could not bear to have her killed before he heard the end of it.

And so kept her alive until the following night.

[mysterious music] At length, after the thousandth night, so the story goes, charmed by Shahrazad'’s wit and beauty, the Sultan made her his bride.

Such were happy endings in those days.

[ominous music] Shahrazad was a very brave young lady, and she had to be a very good storyteller to keep the Sultan in suspense with her tales night after night.

Can you imagine making up stories for 1001 nights?

Shahrazad'’s stories were about many different people doing many different things.

They traveled, found treasures, lost treasures, and they saw many unusual things, such as birds bigger than their boats, sorcerers, magicians, magic lamps.

One of this young lady's tales, "“The Magic Carpet"”, caught the imagination of Walter Andersen, and he told the story again in this picture.

[mysterious music] Know that long ago there was a Sultan of India who had three sons, the Princes Hussein, Ali, and Achmad.

He also had a niece and ward Princess Myure Alninar, the daughter of his younger brother who, dying early, left his only child as ward to his brother.

This young girl who, as she grew up, excelled all the maidens in the land in wit and beauty, spent her childhood in play and comradeship with her three cousins, and as she came to womanhood, all fell in love with her.

The King, knowing what havoc among the brothers this rivalry might bring, called them before him.

"“I see my sons"”, he said, "“how dearly you love your cousin, and how you vie for her affection.

Rather than see you fall to quarreling out of love for her, I propose a contest.

Let the three of you set out and travel through the world.

And bring back to me the most marvelous thing you see on your travels.

He who brings back the rarest of curiosities shall be husband to Princess Myure Alninar.

"” So the three, being obedient sons, agreed to this proposal and set out together.

Three days they traveled until they came to a place where three roads met.

Here they spent the night at an inn, and the next day, vowing to meet here in a year's time, they disguised themselves as wandering merchants and parted, each taking a separate road.

So they wandered far and wide, and in the course of the year, had various adventures.

When the year was up, each returned, bearing what he was sure was the most wondrous thing in the world.

The eldest, Hussein, brought with him, or rather was transported upon a carpet, ordinary looking enough, which, in the twinkling of any eye, would transport its owner to whatever place he wished to visit.

The second, Ali, in his wanderings had come upon and purchased a spyglass through which the owner could look and see whatever in the world he desired to see.

The third, Prince Achmad, brought a magical apple, the virtue of which was that whoever inhaled his fragrance would instantly be healed of a sickness, no matter how near death he might be.

Now, when the brothers had met at the appointed place at the year's end, and had shown each other their prizes, the youngest said, "“Ah, we are still three days journey from home.

I would that we could see our dear cousin Myure Alninar, for the sight of whom, all these months, I have been sick with longing."

"“The wish is father do the deed"”, said Ali, and he held a magic glass to his brother'’s eye.

Then Achmad turned pale and passed the glass to his brothers.

"“Alas"”, he said, "“we have endured toil and hardship and traveled far, each hoping to wed our cousin, but all in vain, for I believe she is dying.

I see her lying on her bed, and around her, her women weep and lament.

If you would see her one more time, take a final look through the glass.

"” And the other two looked, and it was so.

And all three fell to weeping.

Then Achmad said, "“My brothers, we are all alike, distracted with love for the Princess.

But I alone, and only I could reach her side in time, could save her and make her whole with the magical apple.

"” And Hussein said, "“Only I can transport us to her with a magic carpet.

"” And so without further talk or delay, the three disposed themselves on the carpet, and instantly Hussein willed them to the Princess's bedchamber, where Achmad, to the astonishment of her maidservants, held the apple to the nostrils of the dying Princess.

And when its fragrance reached her brain, the sickness left her.

She opened her eyes, sat up in her bed, and seeing her cousins, held out her arms to them as joyfully as a child.

But how could the King decide which of the Princes should wed her?

Without the magical tool, the Princes would not have known of their beloved's illness.

Without the carpet, they could not have reached her side in time.

Without the apple, they could not have cured her.

It is baffling.

The King assigned the Princes another test: A trial of bowmanship.

And in this test, Hussein, the eldest, carried off the prize for he shot his arrow farthest.

When Shahrazad told in her story how three brothers could see instantly what was happening far away, that was fantasy.

At that time, there was no television or satellites to bring the pictures to their magic spyglass.

When the brothers traveled quickly on their magic carpet, Shahrazad had no idea that hundreds of years later, people would be traveling quickly from place to place in jet airplanes.

And how about Shahrazad's magic apple, which could cure all sicknesses?

Even though we have many wonderful medications today, we still cannot cure every illness.

Maybe one of you one day will discover a marvelous new medication, just like Shahrazad's magic apple.

As we said, Shahrazad told many tales of wonder to the Sultan.

This one is called "“The Fisherman and the Genie"”.

[frightful music] "“Sire,"” said Shahrazad, "“there was once a poor man who dwelled by the sea.

A humble man and a true worshiper of Allah.

He had a wife and three daughters, and he lived by casting his net into the sea and taking his catch to the market.

It was his custom to cast his net only four times each day, for he said to himself that he would take his share of the fish in the sea, and the rest he would leave to others whose need was as great as his.

One day, as was his custom, he went out at noon, set down his basket by the water and tucking up his shirt, waded in and made a cast.

When his net had settled to the bottom, he gathered the cords and hauled away.

But however hard he pulled, he could not bring it up.

He stripped, dived into the water and worked the meshes this way and that to loosen them until he could drag it in.

The net was torn, and all he found inside was a dead jackass.

"“There is no might save in Allah, the glorious,"” said the fisherman.

And with that, he pushed the body of the ass back into the sea, spread the net and mended it, and cast it again, saying "“In Allah's name.

"” Again, he found the net too heavy to pull in.

And when he had made it fast and stripped and gone deep into the water and pulled it loose and drawn it in, he found in it a huge earthen pitcher full of sand and mud.

He threw the pitcher into the sea, spread his net, and cast it again in Allah's name, and waited until it sank.

This time, all he found inside were potshards and broken glass.

Then raising his eyes heavenward, the fisherman said, "“Yah Allah, thou knowest that I cast my net but four times each day, and now the third cast is drawn in and has brought me nothing.

So this time, oh my God, I pray thee.

Give me my daily bread.

"” And calling once more on the name of God, he cast his net and waited as it sank and settled.

And for the fourth time, he could not haul it in, for it was entangled at the bottom.

Then he cried out in anger.

"“There is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah!

"” But he could not help adding: "“A curse be on this wretched world where I am overwhelmed by grief and misery!

"” He stripped then and diving down to the net, disentangled it, and drew it ashore.

When he loosened the cords and opened the meshes, he found inside a jar of brass shaped like a cucumber, heavy with its contents, and stoppered with a leaden cap stamped with the seal ring of Solomon, Son of David, peace be to them both.

Seeing this, the fisherman was glad and said to himself, "“If I sell this brazen pot in the market, it may be worth ten gold dinars, and who knows what treasure is inside?

"” Taking his knife, he worked at the lead until he had loosened the cap from the jar.

And then he laid the cap on the ground, and tilted the jar to pour out whatever might be inside.

But nothing poured out.

He weighed it again in his hands, and it was as heavy as if it held a treasure of golden coins.

He shook it and smoke began to drift out and trail along the ground and gather itself and spiral upward, until presently it seemed to condense.

And the terrified fisherman saw towering above him a genie whose head touched the clouds, even while his feet were on the ground.

His head was as big as the dome on the Sultan's palace.

His hands were like pitchforks.

His legs were like the trunks of cedar trees.

His mouth like a cave with teeth as large as the tusks of elephants.

His eyes were two lamps.

And his look fierce and glowing.

The fisherman shivered and his mouth was as dry as if it were filled with cotton wool.

"“There is no God but God,"” said the genie.

"“Be of good cheer, fisherman.

"” "“Why should I be cheerful?

"” said the fisherman.

"“Because of having to die an ill death this very hour,"” said the genie.

"“What have I done to deserve death?

"” said the fisherman.

"“I who drew thee out of the depths of the sea and freed the from the jar!

"” "“Ask me only what mode of death thou wouldst die and how I should slay thee.

"” Again, the fisherman asked what he had done to deserve death.

And the genie said, "“Hear my story, oh fishermen.

Know that I was of the Ifrit, the Ismatic Djinn and that I rebelled against Solomon, son of David.

Peace be to them both.

And the prophet had his minister seize me and bring me in chains before him, and bade me swear obedience.

And when I refused, he shut me up in this jar and stopped it with a leaden seal on which he impressed the most high name.

And then he gave orders to cast me into the ocean where I have lain these many hundred years.

And at first I said to myself in the jar that whoever should release me, I would enrich him forever.

But a century went by, and when no one set me free, I said again, whoever shall release me, to him I will open up the hoards of the earth.

Still, no one came.

And more hundreds of years passed.

Then I said, "“I will grant to him who releases me three wishes.

"” But still, none came.

Then in my rage, I said, "“From this time forth, whoever shall be so unfortunate as to set me free, him will I slay.

But I will give him the choice of what death he will die.

"” And now, fisherman, the choice is thine.

And although the fisherman abased himself and begged for his life, and called on Allah's name, saying, "“Do not destroy me, lest God set over thee one who will destroy thee.

"” The genie said only, "“Enough of this foolish talk.

Make your choice for I will kill you.

"” Then the fisherman, who was not entirely devoid of mother wit, said, "“Oh, mighty one, if I must die, I must die.

But in the most great name, graven on the seal ring of Solomon, son of David, peace be to both of them.

If I ask thee one question wilt thou give me a true answer?

"” The Ifrit replied, "“Yay.

"” For hearing the mention of the most great name, his wits were troubled, and he shivered in all his smokiness.

"“Ask,"” he said, "“and be breif.

"” Then the fisherman said, "“Tell me how thou didst fit into this bottle, which is not large enough, huge as it is, to hold my hand.

No, nor even thy finger.

How came it to be large enough to contain the whole of thee?

"” "“What?

"” said the genie.

"“You doubt that I was in the jar?

"” "“I cannot believe it,"” said the fisherman, "“for it is clearly impossible.

"” Then the genie smoked with rage and blew himself up so that the top of his head touched the clouds.

"“I'll never believe it,"” said the fisherman, "“until I see it with my own eyes.

"” Then in an instant, the genie shook and shrank and became a vapor, which condensed and little by little slipped into the jar, until every wisp of him was inside.

Instantly, the fisherman took up the leaden cap with the seal and stopped the mouth of the jar and called out to the Ifrit saying, "“Ask me by way of a boon what death I wilt die.

"” And he laughed.

And then he said, "“By Allah, I will throw the into the sea.

And here on the shore, I'll build me a house.

And whoever comes, I'll warn him against fishing here and say, in these waters abides and Ifrit who gives, as a favor to the man who saves him, his choice of deaths.

The genie could think now of nothing but escape, of the awful fate of being back in the jar at the bottom of the sea, and he softened his voice and spoke as sweetly as if his smoky tongue dripped honey.

"“Oh fisherman,"” he said, "“open the jar and let me out, and I will bring thee riches and good luck.

"” "“If thou had spared me,"” said the fisherman, "“I would spare thee.

Why, nothing would satisfy thee save my death.

So now I will hurl thee back into the sea."

The Ifrit cried aloud then and said, "“I will make a covenant with thee in the name of the most high and vow that I will never do thee hurt or harm.

Rather, will I help thee to what shall enrich thee and thine and free thee forever from the need to cast thy net into the sea.

"” And he swore again in the name of the most high.

Then the fisherman remembered how the genie had trembled at Allah's name and swearing him a third time with a solemn oath opened the jar.

The pillar of smoke again rose until it was fully out and thickened and became the Ifrit of hideous countenance.

He instantly gave the bottle such a kick that it flew far up and fell into the ocean.

And the fisherman doubted his wisdom saying to himself, "“This business promises badly.

"” But then he put on a brave face and spoke, "“Oh Ifrit, in the name of God, fulfill thy oath and do not play me false.

Spare me so that Allah may spare thee.

"” The Ifrit turned and stalked away saying, "“Follow me then and bring thy net.

"” And the fisherman, not yet sure of his own safety, followed at a considerable distance.

[discordant music] They passed through the outskirts of the city and through a wilderness to the side of a mountain lake as still and blue as the sky.

And the Ifrit waded into the middle and again called, "“Follow me.

"” Then he bade the fishermen cast his net.

And when the fisherman looked into the water, he was astonished to see schools of fish of four colors, white and red and blue and yellow.

He cast his net and hauled it in and saw that he had netted four fish, one of each color.

"“Carry these to the Sultan,"” said the Ifrit, "“and set them in his presence and he will give thee what shall make thee a wealthy man.

And now,"” he added, bowing his smokiness low, "“accept my excuses, for I would go, having laid in the sea 1800 years and not seen the face of the world until this hour.

"” And he gave the fisherman Godspeed and struck the earth with one foot and the ground split open and swallowed him up.

The fishermen marveling at all that had happened, took the fish home and filled an earthen bowl with water and bore them off, splashing and wriggling, to the palace.

There, he laid the fish before the king, who wondered exceedingly at the sight, for he had never seen fish like this.

All glittering gold and blue and red as the clouds at sunset and white as the noon sky, and graceful in form as mermaids.

He commanded his vizier to give the fisherman 400 dinars.

And the fishermen took the coins and gave thanks to Allah's name and ran off home, stumbling and falling and rising again and deeming the whole thing to be a dream.

The gold, however, was pure and real, and with it he bought for his family all they needed and wanted.

And he went in that night to his wife in joy and gladness.

Every story, every fairy tale, even if it's as old as the stories of Arabian Nights, every one of them has something to tell us, something to teach us.

That's the reason we like to hear them and read them again and again.

And I hope to see you again, too.

[peaceful music]