Chapters 9-10: The Tale of the Knight Who Thought He Could Outshine the Stars, Shahrayar Surprises Many, But Himself Most of All Summary

Shahrazad begins her tale: a king in a far off land covets a son above all else. His first wife gives him only daughters and his second is barren, so he seeks out an oracle to discover if Fate is working against him and why. He reaches the foot of the oracle's mountain but cannot find a way across the icy cold stream that surrounds it. When an ugly old woman approaches him, the king offers to help her, knowing the oracle must be watching his actions. The woman demands that the king carry her across the stream, and despite his...