The Sultan Shahriar, convinced of the falseness and faithlessness of women, vowed to kill every one of his wives after their bridal night. The Sultana Sheherazade, however, saved her life by interesting him in the stories she toldhim during 1001 nights. In his curiosity for the sequels of her stories he deferred the killing of Sheherazade from day to day until, after the 1001st night, he abandoned his sanguinary resolution altogether.

• Scheherazade