Long ago, in the land of Roum, there ruled a powerful king named King Yunan.He was rich, feared, and respected. He had armies, guards, servants, and allies in many lands.
But despite all his power, his body was weak.
King Yunan suffered from leprosy, a terrible disease that slowly destroyed his flesh.Doctors, healers, and scholars came from far and wide, but none could cure him.He drank medicines.He swallowed powders.He rubbed ointments on his skin.
Nothing worked.
One day, an old wise man arrived in the city.His name was Sage Duban.
He was not an ordinary healer.
He had studied:
Greek medicine
Persian science
Roman and Syrian books
Herbs, roots, plants, and healing arts
Astronomy and philosophy
He knew every illness and every cure.
When Duban heard about King Yunan's leprosy, he stayed awake all night thinking.In the morning, he dressed in fine clothes and went to the palace.
He bowed before the King and said:
"O King, I have heard of your suffering. I can cure you — without medicine and without ointment."
The King was shocked.
"Without medicine? Without cream? How?"
Duban said:
"Tomorrow I will cure you."
The King was filled with hope and rewarded Duban with fine clothes and honor.
That night, Duban prepared something special.
He made:
A wooden bat, hollow inside
A ballBoth were filled with special medicine
The next morning, Duban gave the King the bat.
"Ride your horse and hit the ball again and again. When your hand becomes sweaty, the medicine will enter your body through your palm."
The King did exactly as told.
He rode his horse, striking the ball again and again.His hand became wet with sweat.The medicine passed into his body.
Then Duban said:
"Now go to the bath, wash yourself completely, and sleep."
The King obeyed.
After bathing and sleeping, King Yunan woke up.
He looked at his body.
The leprosy was gone.
His skin was clean and healthy.
He cried with joy.
He called Duban, hugged him, and honored him greatly.
Duban ate with the King and stayed beside him.
That night, the King gave Duban:
2,000 gold coins
Rich clothes
A royal horse
The King said:
"This man cured me without touching me. He is a miracle."
But not everyone was happy.
One of the King's ministers was ugly in soul and filled with envy.
He saw Duban being honored and became jealous.
He went to the King and said:
"O King, I must warn you. You are giving power to a man who may destroy you."
The King asked:
"Who?"
The Minister replied:
"Duban."
The King was angry.
"He cured me when no one else could. He is my friend."
But the Minister insisted:
"Kings before you trusted healers and were betrayed. Do not ignore danger."
The King remembered an old story and became uneasy…
That night, King Yunan could not sleep peacefully.The words of the jealous minister kept turning in his mind like a poison.
"What if Duban truly plans to kill me?""What if this cure was only a trick?"
The next morning, the King sat on his throne with a troubled heart.
The jealous minister returned and said:
"O King, a man who can cure you without medicine can also kill you without poison. His knowledge is dangerous. If he wished, he could end your life in one breath."
The King's fear grew.
Though Duban had saved him, doubt began to poison his heart.
So he sent for Duban.
When Sage Duban arrived, smiling and peaceful, the King suddenly said:
"O Duban, I have decided that you must die."
Duban was shocked.
"O King, why? What wrong have I done?"
The King replied:
"You are too powerful. Your knowledge frightens me. A man who can cure like this can also destroy."
Duban bowed his head and said calmly:
"O King, I saved your life. Is this your reward?"
But the King would not listen.
Duban said:
"Grant me one small wish before I die."
The King said:
"Speak."
Duban replied:
"Let me go to my home and give away my books, so that knowledge is not lost."
The King agreed.
Duban returned with a large book.
He said:
"O King, before I die, open this book. It contains great wisdom."
The King opened the book.
Its pages were blank.
Confused, he licked his finger to turn the page.
The poison on the pages entered his mouth.
Within moments, King Yunan fell ill.
His body shook.
He cried:
"Duban! What have you done?!"
Duban answered:
"O King, you killed me without cause. So I let you taste the same fate. You trusted envy over loyalty."
King Yunan died.
And Duban, too, was executed.
As Shahrázád finished the tale of King Yunan and the sage Duban, silence filled the chamber. The story had struck deep, for it spoke of how a king destroyed the very man who had saved him, guided by envy and fear rather than truth.
Dunyázád, her sister, softly broke the silence."How beautiful and wise is thy story, O my sister."
King Shahryar remained quiet, lost in thought. He felt the weight of the tale settle upon his heart, for it mirrored his own actions too closely. At last he said within himself, "By God, I will not slay her tonight. I must hear what comes next."
And so Shahrázád lived to see another dawn, her stories slowly healing the heart of a broken king.