Chapter 13: Shahrazad Resumes Her Tale Summary

The novel returns to Shahrazad on the second evening of her marriage, as she is about to resume her story. Both Shahrayar and Dinarzad are eager to hear the narrative continue, and Shahrayar is surprised to discover he can envision a future of happiness and love, something he never thought he would consider again.

In the story within the story, the king is lost. He momentarily fears the oracle's warning but then scoffs at it again, renewing his rage at the unfairness of destiny, which binds one's actions with inexplicable rules. He wishes he were no longer on the mountain, and is startled when a voice offers to help him in this enchanted place. He stumbles and rolls down the mountain until colliding with a young man who accidentally pulls the king's (suddenly much longer...