The Forty Fortunes : A Tale of Iran - Aaron Shepard

The Forty Fortunes : A Tale of Iran - Aaron Shepard

[alert-success] The Forty Fortunes  [/alert-success]

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Introduction : 

     "Forty Fortunes: A Tale of Iran" by Aaron Shepard is a captivating narrative that masterfully weaves together humor, wisdom, and cultural richness. Set in ancient Iran, the story revolves around Ahmed, a humble peasant who unwittingly becomes a renowned fortune-teller.

    The story narrates the tale of Ahmed, a modest Isfahan resident who makes a living with a shovel and pick. Though he is happy, his wife Jamell desires more. She says to Ahmed, "If you can dig a hole, you can always earn enough to stay alive".

    One day Jamell goes to a public bath where she is denied entry because the King's Royal Diviner's wife has taken the whole place for herself. Jamell becomes furious and she decides that Ahmed should become a fortuneteller to change their luck.
    The next day, Ahmed reluctantly gives up and sells his shovel and pick, to buy dice, board and robe of a fortuneteller. He sits in the marketplace near the public path. Suddenly the wife of one of the King's ministers runs to him who is looking for her lost ring. Ahmed searches desperately for something wise to say. He spots a hole in her cloak. Ahmed said that he sees a small hole. This leads to the rediscovery of her ring at the bath. Ahmed is alarmed at this achievement and he decides to keep telling fortunes.

    Meanwhile, the king's treasury is robbed. Ahmed is summoned by the King to find the culprits. Ahmed cleverly suggests that there were "forty thieves". The King orders Ahmed to find the forty thieves in forty days. Stunned by the turn of events, Ahmed decides to eat a dried date from the jar everyday to mark each day and fears failure. 

    Ahmed is unaware that one of the robbers hears what he says to the King and reports back to his chief. That evening one of the forty thieves came to Ahmed's house and listens from the stairs. Just then, Ahmed takes the first date from the jar says "That's one". The thief is shocked at the diviners amazing powers. Ahmed accurately predicts the number of thieves who comes there to listen to him everyday for forty days. On the fortieth night, the forty thieves along with their chief fall before Ahmed seeking his forgiveness and mercy. He commanded the forty thieves to replace every bit of the treasure.

     In a surprising twist, Ahmed goes to the King and performs a fake ritual and claims that the treasure has magically returned to the treasury. The King is impressed and he rewards him with riches and offers him the esteemed title of Royal Diviner. But Ahmed declines the honor claiming that his powers are depleted. 

    Ahmed returns home to Jamell safe and rich, having learnt important lessons about contentment and honesty. Ahmed and Jamell embrace their life and lives happily ever after. 

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