The Seven Voyages of Sinbad - The Seventh Voyage

THE SEVENTH (AND LAST) VOYAGE

After gathering a great sum of profit from his previous voyage, Sinbad returned to his life of relaxation and peace. He did not have the intention of ever going out to sea ever again, as he knew of his interesting luck when it came to travel.

However; while entertaining his many friends in his palace, there was a firm knock on his door. It was a man sent by the caliph. He asked for Sinbad specifically, stating that the caliph wished to speak to him.

After making his way to the caliph’s palace, Sinbad was presented before him. After saluting the caliph, the caliph asked Sinbad to present a gift to the king of Sri Lanka.

While this seemed like a simple command, Sinbad was not interested whatsoever in ever leaving Baghdad ever again after what he has endured at sea. Sinbad told the caliph of his terrifying, albeit interesting experiences at sea.

Even after hearing all Sinbad had to say, the caliph was still persistent on sending him on his way.

“I understand your worries, but I am not asking you to send this gift to the king, but rather I demand you to do so,” stated the caliph firmly.

Sinbad took the letter and the gift provided by the caliph and made his way to Sri Lanka.

The king of Sri Lanka was beyond delighted to see Sinbad.

After giving the king the gift provided by the caliph; which consisted of some of the finest artifacts, fabrics, and various other gifts of value that the world had to offer, the king was so delighted with the gifts that he provided Sinbad with many other gifts to give back to the caliph.

After many days out in the sea, all was fine and dandy until Sinbad, his crew, his vessel and all that it carried was seized by a group of pirates.

Unfortunately, all the gifts meant for the caliph of Baghdad were stolen, and Sinbad and his crew were taken to a strange faraway island by the pirates to become slaves!

Sinbad ended up becoming a servant for a rich merchant on the island. Sinbad was tasked with one job: to hunt elephants for their ivory tusks. All he was provided with was a measly bow and arrow.

Sinbad was sent to climb on top of a tree in a place known to be frequented by elephant stampedes, with the task of capturing one. Sinbad did just that, and he was so good at it that the rich merchant sent him to go up the tree every day since then to hunt these elephants.

However; one day the elephants that would always run past didn’t do so, instead they stopped in their tracks. They began to stomp in rage, pushing their tusks into the surrounding trees.

One of the angry elephants had his tusks in the trunk of the tree that Sinbad was in and pulled it out of its roots. Sinbad fell from the tree.

The same elephant; which was also the largest out of the herd, pulled Sinbad up off the ground and onto its back. Sinbad held on for his life as the elephant along with the rest of the herd ran off into the forest.

The elephants took him to a faraway location, which Sinbad soon realized was the elephants’ grave site as it was strewn with elephant skeletons and tusks.

They must have realized Sinbad was hunting them for their tusks, so they took him somewhere where he could have as many as he wanted without hunting them anymore.

Without picking up one, Sinbad ran as fast as he could to get back to the city. After a whole day and night of running, Sinbad finally made it back to the rich merchant’s house.

“Sinbad! I’m surprised to see you here in one piece,” said the merchant upon seeing Sinbad at his door. “After I went to go look for you only to find an uprooted tree, I thought of the worst.”

Sinbad explained how he had to survived to the merchant. He even promised to take him to the place that the elephants took him to, which had many elephant tusks.

Upon getting there, the merchant was overjoyed. He loaded the carriage they travelled with full of the tusks, and they were quick to make their way back home to avoid the elephants.

“Since you have provided me with tusks that will enrich me for many years to come; I have decided to free you from being my slave,” the merchant told Sinbad proudly.

“Thank you… in addition, all I ask for is to be able to return to my home of Baghdad,” replied Sinbad.

The merchant gave Sinbad enough money for passage, but he could not leave until he helped him transport all the ivory tusks from the elephants’ grave site to the merchant’s house. Sinbad could take some, too.

Selling much of the ivory for gold, Sinbad used the gold to buy new rare presents, so he could still provide the caliph of his country with something as the gifts provided by the king of Sri Lanka were stolen by the pirates.

The first thing Sinbad did when he got home to Baghdad was present himself and the presents to the caliph, who admitted that while he was a bit worried about Sinbad after realizing how long its been since he left, had a positive attitude.

He loved Sinbad’s story regarding the elephants, claiming he would not have believed it if it were not for the fact that he recognized Sinbad’s strong honesty.

Just like what the king of Sri Lanka did, the caliph ordered all of Sinbad’s stories to be inscribed in gold and stored in the city’s written archives.

While thankful for the caliph’s recognition, Sinbad was just glad to be home. This time, he was going to stay home with his family, friends, and fortune for the rest of his days.

Finally; upon telling Hinbad of these experiences, Sinbad turned to him and asked, “do you see the reality of the life I have lived, and how much hardship I had to endure to amass the fortune I have now?”

“Sinbad, I now realize that the troubles you’ve endured for your fortune are far worse than anything I’ve ever dealt with,” responded Hinbad. “You deserve this wealth, as you also give greatly to the poor.”

Ever since that day; Hinbad and Sinbad became the closest of friends, and Hinbad spent every evening eating at Sinbad the Sailor’s table.

The End