A multicultural post by Maynard The legendary collection of
fables from the ancient Muslim world, 1001 Arabian Nights, dates
back over a thousand years. It includes such classic stories as
Aladdin, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and The Seven Voyages
of Sinbad the Sailor. The popular English version was translated
in the 1880′s by the famous English explorer Richard Francis
Burton. This text is available at Amazon and also online. Some
of the text that follows is not appropriate for prime time
viewing. Please continue only if you will not be troubled by
“mature” discussions. A couple years ago, I attended a local
theatrical production of “1001″; a drama based upon “1001
Arabian Nights”. It was a challenging juxtaposition of the
ancient fables against a modern American backdrop. I would
quibble with some of the linkages, but I respected the effort.
The dramatic translation worked because people today are as they
always have been: Creatures tempted to do the wrong thing in
spite of knowing the right thing. Not