The story-teller told the ruler the stories of Sidi Kur, the Bakshi and the Younger Chan, the peaceful wanderer. The two Chan brothers lived not far from the house of seven magicians in the far-off land of India. The elder brother became the magicians’ apprentice for seven years, but they wouldn’t teach the secret of their magic to him. The younger Chan took food for his brother to the palace and, peeping through the window, he learnt the secret magic. One day, the younger Chan told his brother, “There’s a magical horse in the stable. Ride away on it and bring costly merchandise that we can sell here. But,” he warned, “do not go to the magicians’ palace!” The elder brother forgot the warning and rode to the magicians’ palace. The magicians realised that the horse was magical and captured him for a sacrifice! The elder brother didn’t know that the horse was the younger Chan!
The Magicians’ Chase
Chan, the magical horse, looked for a way to escape the evil magicians. He became a fish in a trough, but the magicians changed into seven herons to catch him. Chan transformed into a dove and flew out of the stable, but they turned into hawks and pursued him! The dove took shelter in a peaceful cave in the east where a saintly Bakshi sat, telling his beads. Chan told him the story of his flight and hiding inside the first bead of the rosary, he told him to give the other beads to the magicians when they came in the form of seven beggars and asked the Bakshi for his rosary. The other beads turned into worms that were eaten up by the magicians as seven chickens. But the last bead turned into a warrior who killed them with his sword! Then, Chan returned to his form and bowed to the Bakshi.
The Bakshi
“How can I show my gratitude, sir,” asked Chan, “for saving me and for wiping out the sin of killing these men?” “Go to the Forest of Death where there lives Sidi Kur. His upper body is made of gold and the lower of brass and he has a silver head. Catch him, and bring him to me, without speaking a word on the way back!” said the Bakshi. “Tell me how to capture him, show me the way and give me something to eat,” said Chan. The Bakshi gave him a loaf that would never finish, a moon-axe and a long rope. “Go through the forest. Say these magical words if spirits stop you on the way and you will find Sidi Kur under the amiri-tree,” said the Bakshi. “Tie him and put him in this sack. But remember not to speak on the way back!” Chan set off to catch Sidi Kur.
Sidi Kur’s Capture
Chan went through the Forest of Death. He chanted the magical words given by the Bakshi when some spirits and goblins attacked him and they fled. He reached the amiri-tree and startled Sidi Kur who clambered up the tree. Chan tried to persuade him politely, but he refused to come down. Finally Chan said angrily, “If you don’t come down, I will chop down this tree with my moon-axe!” Sidi Kur was so frightened that he agreed to climb down. Chan tied him with the rope and put him into the sack. He ate some bread with Sidi Kur. Then, he lifted him on to his back to return. Sidi Kur said, “It’s a long journey. I will tell you a story as we go along. If you don’t wish to tell me a story, shake your head!” Chan shook his head and Sidi Kur spent the journey telling stories.
