The Tale of Kamruzzaman and Badoura

Introducing Alifa Laila - The Story of Kamruzzaman and Badoura

The next day, Shahzada began recounting the story of Kamruzzaman and Badoura to Emperor Shahyar. He explained that near Persia lay the kingdom of Khaldan, ruled by Emperor Shahzaman. The emperor possessed everything, except for an heir. This absence of an heir constantly saddened him. Observing the emperor's sorrow, some scholars in his kingdom advised him to perform charitable deeds and implore God for a child. For years, the king continued with his acts of charity and supplication, and one day, God heard his plea. The emperor's wife conceived, and after some time, she gave birth to a beautiful son. The palace rejoiced, and the emperor named his son Kamruzzaman. He ensured his son received a thorough education, including training in military skills.

When Kamruzzaman reached adulthood, his father wished to marry him and entrust him with the kingdom's governance. However, the prince refused to marry. When the emperor broached the subject, the prince outright declined. The prince's mother tried to reason with him, but he remained steadfast. Angered, the emperor had Kamruzzaman confined to a solitary cell far from the palace. Food and drink were provided, and books for his study were sent, but the prince remained unfazed, content in his solitude.

Near the cell lay a well, home to a fairy named Maymun. As was her nightly custom, she went out for a walk. Her gaze fell upon the soldiers guarding the locked cell. Never having seen anyone there before, she used her magical powers to enter the room and found Kamruzzaman asleep. His beauty captivated her; she had never beheld such a handsome youth.

From the soldiers' presence, she deduced that this was the emperor's son, punished for refusing to marry. She pondered the reason behind such a refusal from such a handsome prince. She then took to the skies, but noticed another presence behind her. Turning around, she asked, "Who are you?" A genie materialized before her. "I am the genie Nahs," he said. The fairy inquired, "Why are you traveling so swiftly?" The genie explained that he was on his way to the kingdom of China, to see Princess Badoura, the daughter of Emperor Ghore. She was exceptionally beautiful, perhaps the most beautiful woman in the world. Everyone desired to marry her, yet she refused all suitors. Fretful, her parents had imprisoned her in a dark chamber. He was on his way to visit her.

Maymun responded, "A similar situation exists with a prince here. He too is confined to a cell. He is far more handsome than any girl." The genie, "If you believe, then show me this prince." The fairy led the genie to the prince's cell. Upon seeing the prince, the genie declared that to decide who was more beautiful, both must be seen together. With a flick of his wrist, he transported himself and Badoura to the prince's cell.

The fairy declared the prince more beautiful, while the genie thought Princess Badoura superior. The two continued to debate, until the prince awoke, surprised to see a beautiful maiden beside him. He pondered whether she was the intended bride for him. A twinge of remorse crossed his mind. He gazed at her hand, where he noticed a beautiful blue ring. He decided to marry her, exchanging his diamond ring for the blue ring. Immediately the prince fell into a deep slumber, and Princess Badoura woke up.

Badoura was also surprised to see him. The prince's beauty captivated her; she lamented her earlier refusal to marry. She thought this might be the prince her father had chosen for her. Her eyes fell on her own hand, and a diamond ring caught her attention. She questioned how she had exchanged rings, and realized that she was now betrothed to this handsome prince. She too fell into a deep sleep.

The fairy and the genie were weary from their lengthy debate and decided to return the princess to her prison. The genie cast a spell, and they were back at the cell. The pair left, and when the prince awoke, he found no maiden beside him. Worried, he questioned the guards. They denied that anyone had been brought there. Enraged, the prince lashed out at the guards.

Upon hearing of the incident, the emperor was baffled. He met with his son to clarify the events. The emperor convinced his son that it was a dream. Exhausted, the emperor summoned a physician. The prince showed the emperor the blue ring, which the emperor and his court were unable to identify. The emperor declared his commitment to finding the princess.

Meanwhile, in China, Princess Badoura also questioned the guards about the missing prince. The emperor Ghore was equally baffled by the missing ring. He declared that anyone who could cure his daughter would receive her hand in marriage and the throne. The search was unsuccessful. Then, Princess Badoura's brother, Murziban, returned from another country.