THE TALES OF CHAMASHIRDZHI OGLAN’S JOURNEY

THE TALES OF CHAMASHIRDZHI OGLAN’S JOURNEY

(THE TALES OF LAUNDRY BOY’S JOURNEY) 

 A long time ago, so no one can say whether it was in fact or not, one guy used to live in Crimea. He earned his bread by washing the dirty rags of his neighbors, and therefore he received the nickname "Chamashirdzhi oglan". The fate does not give the wealth to Chamashirdzhi oglan, but gave the beauty and strength, brave heart and thoughts. It showed him the life in star tables, full of adventures. 

     Though the laundry boy often pull the belly of hunger, but he was not discouraged of that. He was all the time cheerful and carefree. He sang his songs, wandering around the city with a laundry basket on his back.

     Once Chamashirdzhi washed dirty laundry under the old plane tree near his hut. Suddenly, from nowhere, a large bird with unprecedented beauty flew and sat on a branch above his head. Looking intently at Charashirdzhi, it spread its wings, flapped them, rose into the air and disappeared in the sky.

     The next day, it again appeared in the same hour, and again looking at Chamashirdzhi, went out of sight. Since then, it has become to appear every day at the same time.

    He liked this unprecedented visitor so much and decided to catch it in any way. One day, when it sat down again on the plane tree, Chamashirdzhi crept up to it, seized a moment and grabbed firmly by the legs. Imagine his surprise when, a wonderful bird hasn’t not given up to his power and revealing the wings, rose with its abductor in the air. Chamashirdzhi wanted to get it to fall to the ground, but then decided to continue that nice tour. He allowed himself to bear where the bird wanted.

     A bird carried him higher and higher.

     Long or short travelers were flying. For seven days and seven nights they flew. The eighth day they fell in a dense forest at the gates of the marble palace with dazzling beauty. Referring to the land, a wonderful bird let out a deafening scream, and at the same moment the gates of palace opened. The beautiful girl came out, with the great charm, which could argue perhaps only with the fourteenth day moon. The forty young bodyguards accompanied her, protecting every move. She affectionately met Chamashirdzhi oglan and with the beautiful and friendly smile, took his hand and led him to the palace showing honors and respect.

     There was no limit to young Chamashirdzhi’s surprise. This wealth was everywhere in this palace, so Chamashirdzhi couldn’t dream about that. Sapphires, emeralds, agate, carnelian and purple shone in all corners of the rooms and the main hall was made entirely of the purest diamonds. Chamashirdzhi was more surprised, when the walls of the room slidely open, and he saw the new room, that has a table covered with all sorts of meats and sweets. The beautiful girl seated guest in the place of honor under a canopy, and sat down beside him. The feast began. One could never see such a feast! And again, Chamashirdzhi oglan had a lot of things to wonder. 

     When the feast was over, Chamashirdzhi turned to the girl and asked:

     - Tell me, My soul, who is the owner of all this wealth? Whose will managed to get me to this magnificent house of chambers, to visit to you, such a beautiful lady?

     - Oh, Chamashirdzhi oglan – replied the girl. – There is the only daughter of the great sultan in front of you, who is the ruler of Taberistan underworld, the ruler of enchantresses – peri. Everything you see here belongs to my father, the owner of the countless treasures. Please, know that I heed the sound of your voice, when you sing wonderful songs, know that I have long been captivated by your beauty and strength. I have to choose a husband, and the destiny brought me to you – the youth of the human race. After three days, I'll be your wife. We would wait for my royal father’s return.

     Enchanted by the beauty of the princess, Chamashirdzhi heard these words and strongly desired her. He ran and seized in her arms and began to beg:

     - Why to wait, oh, my soul! I can not endure these three days, be my wife now!

     The beautiful sultan’s daughter did not like this, she pushed Chamashirdzhi and said:

     - No, oglan, it could never be! I am obliged to wait until my father’s return. Only he can bless us for the marriage.

     But Chamashirdzhi, was quite mad with desire. With even greater urgency, he started to seek beautiful girl’s caresses.

     - If you do not agree now to share a bed with me - he said - I transgress your will!

     He pressed the princess to his chest and began to cover her face with hot kisses.

     Such persistence quite enraged the beautiful girl. She got angry and shouted completely to his bodyguards.

     - Immediately, take out the daring! – She angrily ordered.

     At the same moment, the huge bird appeared out of nowhere. It grabbed by claws Chamashirdzhi’s collar and soared through the window with him in the sky. The beautiful palace of peri forever disappeared from the eyes of eager laundry boy.

     Long or short time Chmashirdzhi was flying in grasping arms of a miracle bird. Seven days and seven nights passed. He found himself on the eighth day in the vast arid desert. The bird dropped the boy on the ground, and immediately disappeared from the view. Chamashirdzhi fell in the sand and slept soundly. He laid motionless for a long time, forgetting about the dangers in the wilderness.

     Fortunately, the caravan that passed by that place stopped to rest just far away from the loser. One of the herders saw lying man in the sand, went to him and woke.

     - Where are you from? How did you appear in a deserted place? - He asked the young man.

     Chamashirdzhi looked around and said:

     - I come from Crimea. And now I’m going out from Taberistan.

     - My son, - said the old driver – Are you delusional? The road from Taberistan to Small Samarkand, that is closer to us now, takes more than thirty-three years of walking. And you, as I see, no more than twenty years. Rise up, my son, and follow me. I will try to attach you to Samarkand on some work, and you quickly restore the clarity of your mind.

     Chamashridzhi was delighted and took the participation of the generous old man. He got up from his seat and made his way behind the camels.

     As soon as they arrived in the small Samarkand, the next day, according to the custom of the country, Chamashirdzhi was led to muslim judge – kadi.

     Kadi appealed to laundry boy and asked him if he intends to stay long in the Small Samarkand and whether he had a wife.

     - Oh, pious Kadi efendi, Chamashirdzhi responded to him. I was brought to this region against my will. The destiny told me to stay here to live. As for your second question, let me say that the fate didn’t allow me to become the husband of any woman.

     Then, Kadi said:

     - There is a custom in our city, consecrated  by a prophet. Anyone who has set his face to live with us for more than three days, must find a craft and necessarily bound by marriage to some of our women. Anyone who does not want to obey these laws could be immediately and ignominiously expelled from the country. Tell me now if you agree to obey our laws?

     - I agree, I agree! - Exclaimed Chamashirdzhi, who did not want to become a eunuch.

     - In this case, take him to the regent – naib! – ordered Kadi to his security – askers.

     When Chamashirdzhi appeared before Naib, the casket was placed before him. He was offered to draw lots. Chamashirdzhi pulled out the stone from the casket, with the carved name on and handed it to Naib. After reading the inscription, Naib called vizier – kavas and ordered him to take the young man in a woman's house, whose destiny has appointed to be his wife. The kavas appeared and led Chamashirdzhi to the bride’s house. He knocked at the gate three times, and the Small Samarkand’s beautiful woman came out.

     - Oh, lovely Sahibe – cavas turned to her, - this young wanderer was sent to you by pious Naib, and he found Naib from the Kadi. The lot fell on your fate. Oh, the Rose of Shiraz, this young man is to become your husband and may God send you happiness on Earth and in heaven!

     Lovely Sahibe raised hands to her heart and fiancé was invited to the room. There was no end to Chamashirdzhi’s amazement, especially, when he saw all the furniture, luxury and abundance in the wife’s house. Even more he had to wonder when the next day Sahibe hanum took him to inspect all her houses and shops.

     - Starting from now, you are entering in the management of all of the property, - she said. - But you should know, that the custom we have, says that all the goods have to be released from shops in the same price of purchase. At the same time, you have to let go in debt to anyone who desires.

     Chamashirdzhi pleased to examine the state, that fell to his share. He was even surprised by these strange customs, but to obey and comply with them, so it was obligatory in the country. He soon became attached to his wife, quickly learned to trade things. So one year of his life passed.

     When only two days left before the end of the year, Chamashirdzhi heard crier in the market, who cried:

     - Oh, the faithful inhabitants of Small Samarkand, a city blessed by Allah and his prophet! By order of our pious Kadi, the people, know about that the day after tomorrow is the end of this year. Hurry up for tomorrow to pay your debts to anyone you should! And may Allah send a curse to those who dare not comply with the state’s law!

     The next day Chamashirdzhi saw in his treasury money flowed from all the goods that for a whole year he released in debt. And when the first day of another year, he estimated its annual turnover and saw something even more amazing. Despite the fact that he bought and sold five of five, he has still a great profit. Chamashirdzhi couldn’t hold no more to express his surprise. When he got home, he told his wife about it and said:

     - How many strange cases going on in this amazing city!

     The wife heard this exclamation and ran to Naib, because the law didn’t allow anything to be surprised at Small Samarkand.

     - Oh, pious Naib, - she said - my husband, whom you sent me here a year ago, violated our sacred customs. He allowed himself to loudly express surprise that he saw and intervened in the affairs of Allah. Henceforth, according to the will of our laws, I renounce this wicked and consider myself to be free!

     Naib became angry at Chamashirdzhi and ordered to call him. 

He sternly explained to him what a great sin he committed and ordered to send lawbreaker to prison.

     It was not justified Chamashirdzhi, the law was inexorable. Poor laundry boy was taken by custody to the dungeon, to certain inexorable death.

     But another miracle happened there. While he was being led, a wonderful bird appeared out of nowhere again. It grabbed laundry boy with the powerful legs and soared into the sky. Chamashirdzhi again flew to unknown lands.

     Long or short they flew, the seven days and nights passed. The eighth day he fell into a deep dark valley. The bird immediately disappeared and Chamashirdzhi had to get out himself of that damned place. For a long time he suffered, climbing the cliffs until he reached finally to the public road. He sat down beside it to rest and slept soundly.

     That time, one traveler took that road for laundry boy’s luck. The traveler caught up with Chamashirdzhi. He woke him up. How did you appear in a deserted place? - The traveler asked him. Chamashirdzhi said that he was from the Small Samarkand. Wanderer smiled and said:

     - My son, are you delusional? Is it possible to walk from Small Samarkand?  According to our scholar kadi, it is separated from Grand Samarkand with the thirty-three years walking distance. I see what you're going to Grand Samarkand, isn’t it?

     - Yes, - said Chamashirdzhi whom nothing left to do but to accept it. – Please, explain, I beg you, oh good man, how to find the way to this city?

     - Follow me! - Said a passerby.

     And the travelers moved to the city.

     So they went three days and three nights, and the fourth day came to a place where the road diverged into two sides. Traveler showed Chamashirdzhi the way to Samakrand, said goodbye to him and went his own way. Chamashirdzhi moved in the indicated direction. Seven days and seven nights he was only one on the road, and the eighth day he saw in the distance the walls of the city. As the sun was setting down, the moving forward made no sense. Chamashirdzhi stopped for the night in the old cemetery, met on the road.

    He chose there a place in the ruins of the old mausoleum – dyurbe. He laid on the ground, put a stone under his head and went immediately to sleep, as soon as his eyes closed.

    Long or short time Chamashirdzhi slept, but suddenly in the night he heard over a loud noise and the shrill whistle, that froze blood in his veins. He opened his eyes and saw with horror the huge afreet - Ifrit. It pulled up the high cypress by the roots out of the ground. The monster pulled the tree and put it aside. It raised from the grave the girl with dazzling beauty. The waking beauty, seeing the monster, made an attempt to escape from its clutches, but terrible Ifrit drove the girl's body in his black claws and laughed so wildly that the dead have begun to roll from side to side in their graves.

     - Ha, ha, ha! - It thundered. - Will you leave me, my dear soul? Don’t you think that I will let you go, without the talisman, guarding your innocence? Last time I tell you - do not resist my will and destroy the spell of this mascot! I really suffer with you for thirty-eight days. Know this, the Padishah's daughter, that you have to live for only two days. If you don’t give it to me, and I’d do what I want - you die with a painful death in my arms!

     - No, - a little girl's voice, even less could be heard, came in response to it. - I'd rather die in your claws, damned villain, than give myself to you! You’ll never use my mascot!

    Ifrit who heard that, issued a deafening howl, dropped a beautiful back to the grave, piled on pit cypress and sped away so quickly, that the earth trembled under its feet.

     Chamashirdzhi could not sleep for the rest of the night, waiting for the dawn. He threw on the way into the city and by the evening reached its walls.

     Before closing the city gates, laundry boy entered to Samarkand and headed to the main square. Walking through the bazaar, he saw the crowd that had gathered around the herald – dellal, and listened to his calls. Chamashirdzhi also joined the crowd and heard Dellal, who shouted the following:

     - Oh, the faithful - he proclaimed, - hear the voice of our invincible Padishah, mighty king of kings! For the past thirty-eight days, I urge the prophet to witness a terrible crime. Let Almighty Allah hear my prayer, the Lord of all the kings of the Earth and ground! Know, that someone, who will find the daughter of our master, or at least show the place where she is, he would receive her hand or as much gold as she weighs all!

     Chamashirdzhi hearing these appeals, decided that the case can not be overlooked. He went to Dellal and inquired from him all that he knew about the abduction of  Padishah’s daughter.

     - Bring me to the Padishah - he said to Dellal.

    Chamashirdzhi appeared before Padishah and told him of the spectacle, he saw passing the cemetery at night.

     - Oh, the great master of Samarkand - he said to Padishah, when he heard him - I will save your daughter! Give me the strongest forty your warriors, and let them follow me. And if they would get the courage to win this damn Ifrit, your daughter and my future bride will be saved!

     Padishah was so delighted by the news. He immediately ordered to his chief warrior – serasker to choose askers, and put them at Chamashirdzhi’s disposal. By the evening of the next day, Chamashirdzhi brought askers to the cemetery and placed them in ambush of cypress. He ordered to attack Ifrit at the very moment when it open the grave and take out Padishah’s daughter. Everyone was waiting with fear the terrible monster’s emergence.

     Finally, at midnight, the very loud noise appeared and a terrible Ifrit flew to a tree. It pulled a huge cypress as a feather, raised from the grave the lying unconscious beauty. Chamashirdzhi at this very moment signaled askers, and they quickly surrounded Ifrit and attacked him with daggers.

     The battle has been strated. Ifrit was pulling out the whole trees with the roots and beat them right and left, as the simple reeds. The fury of the beast was so great that only one its roar was tearing brave soldiers’s hearts. One after another askers died. However, Ifrit was battered well by many well-aimed and strong impacts. Wounds covered its slippery body, blood was flowing through the monster’s back and chest. Finally, after Ifrit laid thirty-fifth warrior, Chamashirdzhi contrived and so deeply plunged his dagger into its body, the monster fell to the ground lifeless. Then all five survived soldiers, rushed to the monster and tore its body to pieces.

     When Beautiful girl woke up and opened her eyes, she did not believe her salvation. Her joy was great at the sight of a brave young man who freed her from a rapist, but her weakness was so strong that she could not even stand up. Both winners, although expired themselves with blood, brought her on their hands to  Padishah’s palace.

     The master of Samarkand met his daughter and her resurrected savior Chamashirdzhi with great honors. The road from the city gates to the palace was strewn with rich carpets and fabrics.

      When Chamashirdzhi and beautiful girl ascended the palace steps, the Padishah declared the bride and groom before all the people. The Padishah’s daughter, exosted in Ifrit captivity, quickly recovered and and became prettier so that even the beauty of the fourteen days moon would be faded in comparison to her charm. After forty days Dellal announced in all the squares and bazaars of the city, that the king of kings, the Grand Padishah of Samarkand gives his royal daughter to brave wrestler – pehlivan, who returned her to the life. Dellal also announced that Padishah invited his subjected people to a feast and has compassion on all, who ever did anything wrong.

     The feast was such a never seen, and it lasted for forty days and nights. And poor Chamashridzhi became the first son in-law and vizier of the powerful sultan.

     Showered with the favors, Chamashridzhi began to live without knowing no worries; getting up in the morning, he took from the treasury one hundred golden ducats and squandered them for the day for gifts and alms.

     Soon jealousy was overcome Padishah’s viziers, who looked down on honor, exerted to the needy stranger. So, wanting to destroy the opponent, the evil courtiers spread the rumor, that Padishah’s son in-law plotted to seize the throne from the ruler and sent people to kill him. The other viziers said so:

     - He tortured the daughter by himself in the face of Ifrit, in order to pretend to be her savior and to tidy up the throne.

     And all the viziers agreed with slanders detractors.

     Finally and most, Padishah, who had heard everything that was said, crept into the heart of doubt about the loyalty of his son in-law. The haters already and most were able to restore the princess against her savior Chamashirdzhi. The evil viziers went so far in their intrigues, that Padishah’s daughter finally persuaded his father to put Chamashirdzhi in prison. The Padishah commanded to his soldiers to throw Chamashirdzhi in the dungeon, and execute him before the people after three days.

 The poor laundry boy was commanded to imminent death walking through the streets.

     But another miracle happened. When he was under the protection of forty soldiers, accompanied by executioner – dzhelyad, a bird of his deliverer appeared out of nowhere. It caught him by legs and in the instant moment took off in heaven.

     It took him again away into the unknown places of new joy and suffering.

     Long or short they flew, seven days and nights passed. The eighth day, the bird lowered Chamashirdzhi in the desert near the source.

     When Chamashirdzhi woke up, he drank from the well and went on a journey road, because he had no choice to do.

     So he walked on the road all day and in the evening he reached the gates of an unknown city. He came to the city and walked through the streets to the market – 

bazar. And he had a chance to witness a strange and incomprehensible spectacle. He saw in bazar blind dervish who begged alms from passers-by. And as soon as someone handed him a coin, the dervish immediately grabbed his sleeve and did not let up until this person hit him twice in the face. There was a crowd around the blind man lounging and watching the bizarre spectacle.

     Chamashirdzhi was disassembled by curiosity and went to the dervish.

     - Tell me, O beloved by prophet, for what sins you put on such a punishment?

     Beggar did not want to answer, but Chamashirdzhi gave him a coin, led to a coffee shop, and then the dervish told the following:

     - Let the devil and its evil henchmen be cursed! Know, Oh young man, when I was young, I served to a rich merchant in Isfahan. This merchant appreciated me for my resourcefulness and agility in the commercial business, and I received a good fee for service from him.

     One day the owner was going on a long journey from Isfahan to Samarkand kingdom. To see all the treasures, he took with him! He loaded forty camels by only precious stones. The old man took me at caravan drovers, his favorite salesman.

     When I saw all the untold wealth of the merchant, the evil spirit possessed my heart and my thoughts sent out to take possession of these treasures. It didn’t give me the rest and whispered all the time:

     - If you want to become rich and live happily ever after, take advantage of this opportunity. Kill the old man and you’ll take easy his jewels!

     When we reached the desert, there was not a living soul for hundreds of miles. I have decided to implement that plan. So, when the caravan stopped to rest, I ran like a man possessed on the host, to merchant who was doing prayer – namaz,  and raised my spear at him.

     The merchant, who saw that, fell at my feet and begged for mercy.

     I stopped the blow.

     However, the evil spirit, who was sitting in me, with a new force began to force me:

     - Fool, what are you yawn? Don’t you want to become rich? Seize this opportunity to kill him at once!

     I picked up a spear again, and even more the old man begged me:

     - My son – he shouted, - do not kill me! If you really want to get rich, then you tell them you will! Spare me, and I will give you the most valuable thing I have - a wonderful talisman, which brings me wealth. I have a wonderful cream with me. If you anoint it to your left eye, it would become so keen, that you’ll see all the cities and villages on a thousand miles. Only I know about the mascot’s action. I'll give it to you, and then you can always keep the track of the trade - where everything is expensive and where is cheap. You’ll know how to transport your goods and to receive a profit.

     I immediately wanted to experience the power of a talisman. I demanded the merchant to anoint the ointment to my eye.

     And as soon as he did it, I saw a neighborhood with hundreds of towns and villages so clear that you could see, even people who were trading in the markets.

     - But remember, - said the old man, - this acts as a wonderful ointment only to the left eye. If you smear it the right eye, then your vision will go out at all.  You won’t see the sunlight anymore.

     I thought that the old man wanted to hide from me the whole power of mascot, and being furious, I struck him with a spear . Then I pulled out from his dead hands ointment and smeared it my right eye.

     But as soon as the talisman touched my right eye, at the same time my vision was extinguished, and I was enveloped in the black darkness.

     For a long time I was shouting, moaning, cursing, and again called on Allah, but nothing helped. Sunlight was lost to me.

     So I was punished for my greed. This murder I did not forgive myself and vowed to go to tekie – mausoleum of dervishes, to serve as the voice of truth. And now, as you can see, I substitute the head under blows for the edification of all the faithful!

     - Yes, the fate put stupidity in your mind – said Chamashirdzhi after hearing the dervish. - Now I am even more convinced that the greatest deprivation is a lack of intelligence. The first foolishness you have done – is coveted wealth. You think to become rich – is to find happiness. Who causes such misery actions? Why? You think, the rich persons do that. But your stupidity is nothing compared with the second folly. Here you come upon misery (so it can be seen and should be), so you have your hands down and give the person beat yourself. Fool! If fate has slapped you on one cheek, never put the other one. You would hear about my adventures! Twenty times I endured the fate of up and down. The forty times it dumped me. I didn’t lose my heart! The person's life could be recorded or not in the book of destiny.  Don’t rely on the mercy of Allah. If your fate hits you, then try to give it a date. The way to happiness lies through the sands of the desert and gloomy gorge. The proverb says right: "Let the young man will always be himself, let his bed be under the bush".