Saadi’s Gulistan and Bostan

Saadi’s Gulistan and Bostan

Saadi

Bostan(The Orchard)

Gulistan(The Rose Garden)

Bostan(The Orchard)

• Story 5 of Chapter 1, “The Manners of Kings” of Golestan• • Setting: At the Palace-Gate• • Characters: 1. king Oglimish (Turkestan King in A.H. 656, A.D. 1256)• 2. Sultan• Scene I: • • Narration: king Oglimish at the palace-gate. He is the son of a military

officer who was endued with marvelous intellect, sagacity, perception and shrewdness; also the signs of future greatness manifested themselves on his forehead whilst yet a small boy (act out and freeze).

• • Slide/Ppt. Presentation: • • “From his head, intelligence caused. The star of greatness to shine.”

Bostan(The Orchard)

• Scene II: • • Narration: king Oglimish pleased the Sultan because he had a beautiful

countenance and a perfect understanding (act out and freeze). • • Slide/Ppt. Presentation: • • And Philosophers have said: “Power consists in accomplishments, not in wealth and

greatness of intellect, not in years.” • • Scene III: • • Narration: king Oglimish with his companions, being envious with him, made an

attempt upon his life and desired to kill him but their endeavors remained fruitless (act out and freeze).

• • Slide/Ppt. Presentation: • • “What can a foe do when the friend is kind?”

Bostan(The Orchard)

• Scene IV: • • Dialogue:• • king Oglimish (asked the Sultan): “What is the cause of their enmity to thee?” • • The Sultan (replied): “Under the shadow of the monarchy of my lord, I have • satisfied my contemporaries except the envious, who will not be contented but by the decline of my

prosperity, and may the monarchy and good fortune of my lord be perpetual.” • • king Oglimish (replied): I may so act as not to hurt the feelings of anyone • But what can I do to an envious man dissatisfied with himself?• Die, O envious man, for this is malady,• Deliverance from which can be obtained only by death.• Unfortunate men sometimes ardently desire• The decline of prosperous men in wealth and dignity,• If in daytime, bat-eyed persons do not see• Is it the fault of the fountain of light, the sun?• Thou justly wishest that a thousand such eyes• Should be blind rather than the sun dark. •

• (act out and freeze)• • Name of Narrator: Juvy Muncada

Bostan(The Orchard)

• Story 6 of Chapter 1, “The Manners of Kings” of Golestan• • Setting/s: Throne or Kingdom and in the City• • Characters: 1. king or padshah • 2. Subjects (populace)• 3. Vezier• • Scene I:• • Tyranny, Oppression, Slavery, Hunger, Chaos and Violence in the City and migration while Prosperity

in the Kingdom.• • Narration: One of the kings of Persia has stretched forth his tyrannical hand to the possessions of

his subjects and had begun to oppress them so violently that in consequence of his fraudulent extortions they dispersed in the world and chose exile on account of the affliction entailed by his violence (act out and freeze).

• • Narration: When the population had diminished, the prosperity of the country suffered, the

treasury remained empty and on every side enemies committed violence (act out and freeze).

Bostan(The Orchard)

• Slide/ppt. presentation: • • Who desires succor in the day of calamity,• Say to him: ‘Be generous in times of prosperity.’• The slave with a ring in his ear, if not cherished will depart.• Be kind because then a stranger will become thy slave.• • Scene II:• • Narration: One day the Shanamah was read in his assembly, the subject being ruin of the dominion of

Zohak and the reign of Feridun. The vizier asked the king how it came to pass that Feridun, who possessed neither treasure nor land nor s retinue, established himself upon the throne.

• • Dialogue: • • The Shanamah: “As thou hast heard, the population enthusiastically gathered around him and

supported him so that he attained royalty.” • • The vezier: “As the gathering around of the population is the cause of royalty, • then why disperset thou the population? Perhaps thou hast no desire for royalty?” • • (act out and freeze)•

Bostan(The Orchard)

• Slide/Ppt. presentation:• • It is best to cherish the army as thy life• Because a Sultan reigns by means of his troops.• • Dialogue:• • The king (asked): What is the reason for the gathering around the troops and the • population? • • The vizier (replied): ‘A padshah must practice justice that they may gather around him

and clemency that they may dwell in safety under the shadow of • his government but thou possessest neither these qualities.’• • (act out and freeze)• • Slide/Ppt. Presentation:• • A tyrannic man cannot be a Sultan• As a wolf cannot be a shepherd • A padshah who establishes oppression• Destroys the basis of the wall of his own reign.

Bostan(The Orchard)

• Narration: The king, displeased with the advice of his censorious vezier, sent him to prison. Shortly afterwards, the son’s of the king’s uncle rose in rebellion, desirous of recovering the kingdom of their father. The population, which had been reduced to the last extremity by the king’s oppression and scattered, now assembled around them and supported them, ‘til he lost control of the government and they took possession of it (act out and freeze).

• • Slide/Ppt. Presentation:• • A padshah who allows his subjects to be oppressed• Will in his day of calamity become violent foe.• Be at peace with subjects and sit safe from attacks of foes• Because his subjects are the army of a just shahanshah.• • Name of the Narrator: Juvy Muncada


• The of Story of Abdul Aziz and the Pearl of Chapter 1, “Concerning Justice, Counsel, and the Administration of Government” of Bostan.

• • Setting: At the village or kingdom in drought, in distressed or famine.• • Characters: 1. King• 2. Man• 3. Populace/settlers in famine• • Props: 1. A pearl ring• 2. Costume of a king in Persia • 3. Costume of a settler•

• Narration: The story is told of Abdul Aziz that he had a pearl of great beauty and value set in a ring. Shortly after a severe drought occurred causing distress among the people. Moved by compassion, the king ordered the pearl to be sold and the money that it fetched to be given to the poor (act out and freeze).


• Narration: Someone chided him for this, saying..• • Dialogue:• • Man: “Never again will such a stone come into thy hands.”• • King Darius replied: (weeping), ugly is an ornament upon the person of a king,

when • the hearts of his people are distressed by want. Better for me is • a stoneless ring than a sorrowing people.” • • Slide/Ppt. Presentation:• • Happy is he who sets the ease of others above his own. The virtuous desire not

their own pleasure at the expense of others. When the king sleeps neglect fully upon his couch, I throw not that beggar finds enviable repose.

• • Name of the Narrator: Juvy Muncada


• The of Story of Darius and the Herdsman of Chapter 1, “Concerning Justice, Counsel, and the Administration of Government” of Bostan.

• • Setting: At the farm or forest.• • Characters: 1. King Darius• 2. Herdsman• • Props: 1. An arch, bow• 2. Costume of a king• 3. Costume of a herdsman• Scene I:• • Narration: Darius, king of Persia, became separated from his retinue while hunting. • A herdsman came running towards him, and the king assuming the way to an enemy, adjusted his bow.

Thereupon, the herdsman cried..• • Dialogue: • • The Herdsman: “I am no enemy. Seek not to kill me. I am he tends the king’s • Horses, and in this meadow am thus engaged.”• • Narration: Becoming again composed, the king smile and said..


• Dialogue:• • King Darius: “Heaven has befriended thee, otherwise would I have drawn the • bowstring to my ear.” • • Narration: “It showeth neither wise administration nor good judgement.”• • Dialogue:• • The herdsman (replied):“When the king knows not an enemy from a friend. Those • who are greatest should know those who are least. Many times hast thou seen me in thy presence, and I

asked of the concerning the horses and the grazing fields. How that I come again before thee, thou takest me for an enemy. More skilled am I, O king, for I can distinguish one horse out of a hundred thousand. Tend thou thy people as I, with sense and judgement tend my horses.’

• • Slide/Ppt. Presentation:• • Ruin brings sorrow to that kingdom where the wisdom of the shepherd exceeds that of the king.• • Name of the Narrator: Juvy Muncada

Bostan(The Orchard)

• Chapter 4 story 19 (A story of Sultan Bayazid Bastami) of Bostan

• Scene: Eid festival and all are singing and dancing in rejoice.

• Narrator: It was the morning of Eid festival. All are gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion. As Bayazid made his way to the crowd… (a man from the window emptied a tray of ashes upon his head)

• Bayazid: (shocked and looked at the window) Xeili mamnoon! Xeili mamnoon! (bowing and rubbing his hands)It’s okay. It’s okay for I am worthy of the fires of hell. Why should I be angered with a few ashes?

• (men surrounding him looked at him as if nothing happened)• (pause)

• Narrator: The great do not regard themselves: look not for the godliness in a self-conceited man. On the day of judgment, he who sought truth and rejected pretension will see the paradise. And he who desires greatness will abandon pride.

Bostan(The Orchard)

• Chapter 8 The Story of the Thief of Bostan

• Scene 1: At the store, a night watchman arrested a thief and tied his hands.

• Watchman: Shoma! When will you stop stealing what isn’t yours?

• Scene 2: At the police station, the watchman threw the man in jail.

• Prisoner 1: (crying) Let me go! Let me go! I don’t want to be here! Let me go!

• Thief: When will you stop crying in regret? Go to sleep, you wretched man. Give thanks to God that the watchman has not tied your hands.

• (pause)

• Narrator: Your sorrows can be lighter than of the others. Still, be thankful.


• Chapter 4 Story 2 of Golestan

• Scene: At a house

• Narrator: A merchant went home in sorrow.

• Son: Why bobo?

• Merchant: I lost a thousand of dinars.• (son sad upon hearing it)

• Merchant: You must not tell anybody about this. You, me, must be silent.

• Son: I will be silent but first tell me bobo why I should keep this in me.

• Merchant: For the fear of misfortune would be double: namely, the lost of money and secondly, the joy of our neighbors at our loss.

• (pause)

• Narrator: Reveal not your grief to your enemies for they will say ‘sorry’ but rejoice.


• Chapter 7 Story 6 of Golestan

• Scene: At a house

• Narrator: A padshah with his son knocks the door of a tutor’s house.

• Tutor: Salam! What can I do for you?

• Padshah: This is my son. Educate him as if he is one of your children.

• Narrator: The tutor has kept the prince and strove to instruct him but could effect nothing while the tutor’s sons made the most progress in accomplishment and eloquence.

• Padshah: You have been unfaithful and have not kept your promise. In return, I will punish you!

• Tutor: O king, my instructions are similar but the natures are different.• (pause)

• Narrator: ‘Although both silver and gold come from stones, all stones do not contain silver and gold.’


• Story 19 Chapter 2:• • Scene 1: Thieves have stolen goods from a caravan in the desert.• • Merchant: Oh, by Allah’s name! Thieves have raided our property! They

have stolen all of our goods! Curse this! Why Allah, why? We need to plead that they return those goods! We should speak wisdom to them!

• • Merchant 2: Oh, Loqman the philosopher, please give the thieves wisdom

so that they may return all the goods they have plundered! This much loss of wealth is gravely lamentable!

• • Loqman: My dear merchants, as much as I would like to have those goods

returned for your heart's sake, It would be lamentable to utter one word of wisdom to them.

• • (Merchants have no names)


• Story 24 Chapter 2:• • Scene: A man accuses another of lascivious acts. An argument ensues. (location not specified) • • Man: You adulterous bastard! How dare you touch such innocent civilians so maliciously! Curse you!• • Man2: What lascivious act are you screaming about! I have done no such thing! it is beyond my

morals to commit such a heinous act! I shall speak to the sheikh! How dare you make such grave accusations!

• • Man proceeds to Sheikh’s residence.• • Man2: My dear sheikh, a crazy man has falsely accused me of lasciviousness! I have been shamed

for what he accuses me of doing. I seek vengeance! Help me, what should i do?• • Sheikh: If you are the innocent man you say you are, you should behave accordingly. Put him to

shame by thy good conduct!• • (Characters have no names)

Bostan(The Orchard)

• A Story Illustrative of Patience• • Scene: An old man begs by the Mosque’s doors. The man scolds him.• • Beggar: please, I ask only for meager food. I will be happy with bones and leftovers!• • Person: This is not the place to beg, stand not here with impudence• • Beggar: What house is this, from which no pity comes upon the condition of the poor?• • Person: Silence! What foolish words are these! This is the house of our Master!• • Beggar: Alas that I should be disappointed at this door. I have not gone hopeless from any street,

why should I go thus from the door of God? Here will I stretch forth my hand of want, for I know that I shall not depart empty handed.

• • For a year he remained devoutly employed in the mosque. One night, through weakness, his heart

began to palpitate, and at daybreak his last breath flickered like a morning lamp. Thus did he exclaim with joy.

• • Person: And whoever knocked at the door of the Bounteous One, it opened!

Bostan(The Orchard)

• The Story of a Firefly:• Scene: A butterfly flutters in the garden at night.• • Narrator: Perhaps thou mayest have seen the firefly shine like a lamp in the garden at night.• • Man: O night-illuminating moth! Why comest thou not in the daytime?• • Narrator: and the Firefly gave an answer full of wisdom.• • Firefly: Because I am not visible before the sun.• • A Story of Sultan Bayazud Bastami:• • Scene:• Man unwittingly throws a tray of ashes onto the street and faults the sultan.• Ashes fall onto sultan’s face and turban.• • Sultan: Curse this! What scourge on the earth did this!?• • Sultan then realizes that his reaction to the situation was inappropriate and immoral.• • Sultan: I am in truth worthy of the fires of hell. Why should I be angered by a few ashes?

Logistics

• Characters(actors)• Plot(script)• Setting(props and costume)• Direction and Production

• Group B- Juvy Muncada- Margana Minglana- Christian Arranz- Lean Carlo

Documents

Saadi’s Gulistan and Bostan