Reading Notes: Tales of a Parrot, Part B

To review, this week I have been reading the Middle Eastern Myth Tutinameh, or Tales of a Parrot. In these stories, a creative parrot is the pet of a merchant and his wife. When the merchant takes leave on an extended business trip, the wife becomes enamored with a stranger, and makes a plan to cheat on her husband. Thus, the parrot takes it upon himself to prevent the act of adultery, and begins to tell the wife many stories, which distract her from leaving home to be with her lover.

A Parrot Prepares to Tell a Story

In today's readings, I am focusing on an aspect that is common to all of the stories, along with the eventual conclusion of the series. First, I will discuss the woman's seeming obedience to the parrot. Then, I will recount my thoughts on the events of her husband's homecoming. 

Khojisteh and the Parrot

Each night when darkness falls, Khojisteh (the wife) prepares herself to visit her lover, but stops at the cage of the parrot. She seems to be asking the parrot's permission to leave and commit adultery against her husband. On the surface, the parrot seems supportive, encouraging the woman to make herself happy. Yet, he is a trickster, always telling stories that keep Khojisteh awake until dawn, preventing her from going to the man.

Khojisteh, while sometimes expressing her frustration with the parrot, never became outright angry with him. What would have happened if she had shown her anger? What if the parrot had not been allowed to continue tricking Khojisteh? 

A Husband's Return

Eventually, Khojisteh's husband, Miemun, returns from his travels. He asks what has happened to the parrot's companion. the sharuk bird. At this point, the parrot reveals all of the events that have transpired since the man has been gone, especially Khojisteh's attempted adultery. Miemun becomes angry at his trying wife, and kills her immediately. 

What I found most shocking about this reading was how quick Miemun was to believe the parrot, without evening questioning his wife. He killed Khojisteh so quickly, but I think their original passion demands more details as to how Khojisteh's death came about.