Adapted from The Story of Gulnare of the Sea from 1001 Nights Stories.
In the ancient land of Persia, there lived a renowned sage named Malik. His home was the tranquil coastal town of Khorassan, resting by the vast expanse of the sea. Malik was known far and wide for his deep knowledge of the worldโof plants and animals, stars and seasons, and the hidden mysteries of the earth.
Malikโs days were filled with study and contemplation, but he often felt a lingering sorrow. He had no child, neither son nor daughter, to share in his wisdom. You see, for generations, the world’s knowledge had been passed down through his family, from parent to child, each adding their discoveries and insights. But now, Malik stood at the end of that line, with no one to carry forward his teaching. As the years passed, he began to wonder if all he had learned would vanish with him, lost to the winds of time.
At day’s end, as the sky turned to shades of amber and rose, Malik wandered along the beach, lost in thought.

The gentle waves lapping against the sand were interrupted by chatter among the townsfolk. They spoke of a mysterious girl who had recently appeared by the seaโs edge. Her beauty was said to be like no other, and an air of mystery surrounded her.
Malik inquired about the girl. “Her name is Gulnare,” said an old fisherman. “She appeared by the sea one night, and no one knows where she came from.”
Malik sought out Gulnare. He followed the townsfolk until he came upon the girl. She sat alone on a rocky outcrop, her feet barely touching the ground, gazing at the endless ocean.

Her figure was as straight and slender as a beam of light, wrapped in a garment that shimmered faintly, like the shifting colors of the sea. When she turned and uncovered her face, it was like the moon at its full, as though her light illuminated the entire shore.
Her eyes reflected the ocean’s depth, and her hair, shimmering in the twilight, cascaded in seven long locks that reached to her anklets.
Malik stood in awe of her, marveling at her graceful form and the ethereal presence she carried as though she were part of the seaโs endless expanse.
Malik approached Gulnare respectfully, sensing something extraordinary about this young girl. โPeace be upon you,โ he said softly. The girl turned to him, emanating a quiet grace and offering a shy smile.

“Good evening,” he continued gently. “The sea is beautiful at this hour, isn’t it?โ Gulnare nodded, her smile deepening. Though she spoke no words, Malik felt drawn to the stillness that Gulnare radiated.
Undeterred by her silence, Malik began to visit Gulnare each day, sharing stories of the town, tales of distant lands, and musings on life. Gulnare listened intently, her eyes reflecting the depth of the sea, her smile warm with understanding.
A year passed in this manner. Malik found comfort in their silent companionship, but he was curious to know more about her.
As the tides ebbed and flowed slowly, Gulnare opened up to Malik. She spoke softly for the first time. “Malik, you have been a steadfast friend, and your patience has touched my heart. It is time I share my truth with you.โ

She took a deep breath. “I am not from this world, you know. I come from a kingdom beneath the wavesโa realm hidden within the sea. My father is one of the Kings of the Sea, and I am a princess in my own right. I left my home after a disagreement with my brother, seeking solace and understanding in the world above.โ
Malik listened in awe as Gulnare recounted tales of her underwater homeland. “We move through the sea with our eyes open, seeing everything within it as clearly as you see the sun, moon, and stars from the land. The waters do not trouble us. There are many beings beneath the waves, as diverse and wondrous as those who walk the earth. But know thisโwhat exists on land is but a small piece of the great mystery that lies within the depths of the ocean.โ
Malik marveled at her words as she spoke of a society rich with knowledge and traditions unknown to those on land. His mind was filled with wonder at the unseen world she described.
“I was afraid to reveal my true identity,” she continued, “but your kindness has given me a feeling of safety and belonging. I sense that your heart is searching for a purpose, just as mine is. Though neither of us can yet name what we’re seeking, perhaps we can create something extraordinary together.โ
Malik, seeing in her the daughter he had never had, took her under his wing. He began to teach her the wisdom of the earthโhow the stars moved in their courses, how the plants could heal, and how the world itself was a vast, living thing filled with mysteries waiting to be uncovered. Gulnare soaked up his teachings eagerly, and soon, the two were inseparable, like a father and daughter united by their love for knowledge.
In the following days, Gulnare and Malik continued their shared journey of learning and teaching. One morning, Gulnare felt a gentle stirring in her heartโa sense that something important would happen. She turned to Malik and said softly, “I feel my family should know of my new life here. My family must come.”
Malik nodded with understanding.
Gulnare lit a small piece of aloes-wood in a delicate perfuming vessel. She began to hum an ancient melody known only to her. Malik watched in quiet wonder as a shimmering mist rose and drifted toward the horizon.

Afterward, Gulnare turned to Malik and said softly, “Dear mentor, I ask that you step away for a short time so I may summon my family. I would like you to observe from a distance before they meet you. You will witness the beauty of the sea and the wonders of my kin, all here, in this place.
Malik nodded to Gulnare, understanding her request, and quietly stepped back. He walked toward a tall cluster of trees, their branches swaying gently in the ocean breeze. Hidden among the greenery, a place he had often gone to meditate, offered just enough cover to conceal himself, yet the view of Gulnare by the waterโs edge remained clear.

Gulnare proceeded to burn perfume and repeat spells until the sea foamed and was agitated. From its depths emerged a young man of striking appearanceโher brother, Saleh. His face shone like the full moon, his eyes bright and kind, and his hair glistened like pearls. It was as if the very essence of beauty had taken human form:
The moon becomes perfect once each month, but the loveliness of your face is perfect every day.
Its abode is in the heart of one sign at a time, but yours resides in all hearts at once.
Following him, there came forth from the sea a grizzly-haired old woman with her five damsels, resembling moons and bearing a likeness to Gulnare.
They walked across the surface of the water as if it were solid ground, approaching with grace and ease.
Gulnare ran to them, her heart overflowing with joy. They embraced her, weeping violently. “Oh, Gulnare,” they cried, “how is it that you left us for so long, and we did not know where you were? We have missed you dearly, longing day and night to see you again.”
Gulnare kissed her brother’s hand, then her mother’s, and embraced her cousins. They sat together for a while, inquiring about her well-being, all that had happened to her, and how she was faring in this new world.
“Know this,” she told them, “when I left our home beneath the waves, I came to the shore and met dear Malik. He has become my mentor, my friend, and my family.”
Her brother smiled gently but then said, “It is our deepest wish, dear sister, that you return with us to our home.โ
From his hiding place, Malik could see everything unfolding before him. He felt a pang of concern at the thought of losing Gulnare, but he remained silent, respecting their family bond.
“My dear brother,” she said, “Malik has treated me with the utmost kindness and honor. He is wise and generous, and he has no children of his own. From the day I met him, he has been nothing but a source of joy and guidance. If I were to leave him now, it would bring sorrow to us both. He is like a father to me.”
Saleh and the others saw the sincerity in her eyes. “Gulnare,” they said, “you know how much we love you and only wish for your happiness. If you are content here, then our hearts are glad.”
Gulnare smiled brightly. “By all that is good, I am truly happy.โ
Wishing to share her joy, Gulnare prepared a feast for her family. She lovingly crafted an array of delicious dishes, including sweetmeats and fruits. They all sat down together to enjoy the meal.

After some time, her brother spoke again. “O Gulnare, thy master is a man who is a stranger to us, and we have entered his abode without his permission, and thou praisest to us his excellence, and hast also brought us his food, and we have eaten, but have not seen him, nor hath he seen us, nor come into our presence, nor eaten with us, that the bond of bread and salt might be established between us.” They all stopped eating and were enraged at her, and fire began to issue from their mouths as from blazing torches.
To soothe their hearts, Gulnare rose and said, โOf course. I will bring him at once.โ
She went to Malik and said, “Dear mentor, my family wishes to meet you. Your kindness and wisdom have meant so much to me, and I would be honored to introduce you.”
Malik smiled warmly. “I would be delighted to meet the family of my cherished student.”
He accompanied Gulnare back to where her family waited. As he approached, they rose to greet him with respect and joy. They met him graciously, and he sat with them in the pavilion, sharing in the meal and pleasant conversation. Together, they spent many peaceful days exchanging stories and wisdom. A deep friendship blossomed between Malik and Gulnare’s family.
After many peaceful days together, Gulnareโs family bid their farewells. They expressed deep gratitude for Malikโs hospitality and care, promising to visit again. Malik and Gulnare watched as they returned to the sea, disappearing beneath the waves.

The following spring, as the flowers began to bloom and the sea breeze whispered through the trees, something extraordinary happened. One morning, Malik awoke to find Gulnare cradling a newborn child. She smiled softly at him, her eyes filled with a gentle glow.
โMalik,โ she whispered, โthis child has been gifted to us by the sea. A blessing from my world, entrusted to our care.โ
Malik approached slowly, a quiet awe settling over him. The childโs eyes shimmered like the depths of the ocean, and a peaceful aura surrounded him. This is the child I have longed for, he thought, feeling a profound sense of joy.
โWe shall raise him together, with the knowledge of both the land and the sea,โ Gulnare continued, her voice filled with love.
Malik nodded. Though the child had come into their lives in a way neither could have imagined, they both knew that this was their purposeโto nurture and guide this special child, who had been sent to them by the mysteries of the sea.
On the seventh day, the ocean sang with the news of the child’s arrival, and from the swirling waters came Gulnare’s mother, her brother, and the daughters of her uncle, drawn by the song of joy.
They were welcomed with a grand celebration. Malik greeted them warmly and said, “I have waited for your arrival, for I would not name the child without you here. It is an honor for you to bestow upon him a name with your wisdom.โ
After conferring, they all agreed to name him Bedr Basim, meaning “Smiling Full Moon.” The name felt right, as the childโs face shone with the same calm glow as the moon on a clear night.
They then presented the boy to his maternal uncle, Saleh, who gently took him into his arms. Rising with quiet grace, Saleh walked among the family, holding the child with care, before heading toward the waterโs edge. Without hesitation, he stepped into the sea, walking calmly across the surface until both he and the child disappeared beneath the waves.
When Malik saw Saleh take the little one and vanish beneath the sea, a wave of fear and despair crashed over him. Without a word, Malik began to weep and wail.
Gulnare gently touched Malikโs arm, her voice calm and reassuring. “Basim is safe with my brother. If there were any danger, Saleh would never have taken him into the water. Trust that they will return soon.”

Not long after, the sea began to stir, and the little one’s uncle emerged carrying Basim in his arms. Saleh flew from the sea until he came to them with Basim in his arms, silent as the full moon in the night sky.
Saleh looked toward Malik, offering a gentle smile: “Perhaps you feared some injury would come to the baby when I descended into the sea with him.”
Malik, still recovering from the wave of emotions, nodded. “Yes, I was afraid. I didnโt believe he would return unharmed.”
With understanding, Saleh replied, “Fear not, Malik. In our world, the sea protects us as surely as the land shelters you. We applied a special lotion to Basimโs eyes, one known to our people, and spoke the sacred names of protection. Basim is as safe beneath the waters as he is here with you.โ
“Perhaps Basim could be the first to benefit from our shared knowledge,” Gulnare suggested, her eyes filled with hope.
Saleh nodded in agreement. “Yes, let this be a new chapter for all of us, uniting our two worlds through him.”
The time came for Gulnareโs family to return to their underwater home. With light hearts, they bid farewell to Malik and Gulnare, saying, “May the connection between our worlds continue to grow.”
Her brother added warmly, “We will not be strangers. After every few days, we will return to visit.”
One afternoon, not long after their departure, Gulnareโs brother reappeared, carrying a small chest adorned with intricate patterns. “We bring gifts from our world,” he said, opening the chest to reveal a dazzling array of shimmering pearls, vibrant coral, and gemstones that glowed with an inner light.
“These are treasures from the depths,” he explained. “They are plentiful in our world, and we offer them to you as a symbol of our commitment to this shared endeavor.”
Malik, awestruck by the beauty of the gifts, gazed in wonder. “These are beyond anything I have ever seen,” he said. “Thank you for your generosity.”
Her brother smiled. “Think nothing of it. It is we who are gratefulโfor the kindness you have shown our sister and for embracing our shared vision.”
As the years passed, Basim grew into a remarkable young man. The boyโs beauty and grace only increased as he aged, and by the time he turned fifteen, he was a sight to behold. His stature and justness of form were incomparable, and his radiant presence captivated everyone who met him.
He was surrounded by the wisdom of the land and sea, flourishing in both worlds. From Malik, Basim learned the ancient ways of the stars, how to read the sky for guidance, and the healing properties of plants that grew in the forest and meadow. He mastered the art of tracking the seasons and understanding the balance of nature, learning how the earth nourished life in all its forms. On the shores, he spent hours listening to the waves, absorbing Gulnareโs teachings about the hidden mysteries of the ocean. She taught him how to navigate the currents, interpret the movements of marine life, and recognize the signs of approaching storms before they touched the horizon. Basim could dive deep into the water with ease, his senses attuned to the rhythm of the tides, and speak with creatures from the depths as though he had always been one of them.

Inspired by this new era of unity, Malik, Gulnare, and Basim dedicated themselves to creating a cultural center. In this extraordinary place, the land and sea people could come together to share their knowledge, art, and traditions. Within its walls, fishermen sat alongside scholars, exchanging stories about the ocean’s mysteries and the stars’ wonders. In one room, the songs of the seaโancient ballads carried on the wavesโmingled with the folk music of the land, creating melodies that celebrated both worlds. Artists from the sea crafted sculptures from coral and shells, while those from the land painted vibrant landscapes of the forests and mountains, each finding inspiration in the otherโs work.
With his unique perspective, Basim became a natural leader in this endeavor. He brought both worlds together, understanding the needs of each. He encouraged the sailors to learn the ways of the sea creatures and how to protect the waters they relied on while also inviting those of the sea to see the beauty of the land above. He helped guide discussions where the elders of the land shared their histories while those from beneath the waves spoke of the deep oceanโs forgotten past, its untold secrets. Through his leadership, new bonds of trust were formedโvillagers began to seek knowledge from the sea folk, learning practical skills and understanding the delicate balance between the worlds.
Under Basimโs guidance, the cultural center became a place where dreams of new possibilities for building a future of unity between the land and the sea flourished.

And so, dear one, as you drift off to sleep, remember this: just like Malik, Gulnare, and Basim, you, too, have a special part to play in this world. Imagine all that can be achieved when peopleโfrom the land, sea, or skyโcome together to share their knowledge and talents. Close your eyes and dream of the wonders you will create, knowing that, with kindness and wisdom, you can help build a world where everyone flourishes together. Goodnight, and may your dreams be filled with endless possibilities.
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