Gentle reader

Nikita TALANOV

ORIENTAL CHRONICLER

Gentle Reader!

My name is Hadzha Rakhim Bagdadi. I was born and then was growing up in the vast expanses of the Great steppe. My mother died when I was a baby, so I was reared by my father, a noted wire man. Since my childhood, he was instilling me a thirst for knowledge. And his efforts were not wasted! I finished medrese, and now I want to set out in search of the new experience. I will visit many countries, meet many different people, learn all foreign languages. During my trip, I want to write a diary. Before the death I will pass it to my descendants and to future generations, my good name should not be forgotten!

DAY 1

For the last time, I take a view of my tiny straw hut. I am standing on the threshold with a trip sack on my shoulder. My dog, Mukhtar, has a presentiment of our forthcoming leaving; it is plaintively whining. I caress Mukhtar and repeat the words of my Dad: “An intimate knowledge is an immense force”. Then I exclaim “It’s time to go!”, close the door and follow the direction of the rising sun…  

DAY 17

… The baking sun scorch my skin. I am going among the desolate wilderness. Our ancestors believed that somewhere there, over the horizon, there is a place where the land join with the sky and the road to the paradise opens…  My body is dried up of thirst and hunger, and my forces are coming to the end. OH GOD – suddenly I notice a small village along-shore of the river. I can’t believe my eyes! My rescue is so near! I approach to the village, see the main entrance and… NOTHING! EMPTINESS! ALL IS DISAPPEARED! My profound mind and eagle eyesight have let me down by making me believe in a mirage…

DAY 34

The bright light of the sun gave place to the silver glance of the moon. The sky is slowly filling up with the stars. I search a favorable place for sleep… It seems that I hear several voices. I get over a sand-hill and see a merchant camelcade that is preparing for the overnight rest. I approach and one of the merchantmen suggests:

— Kind traveler, sit down and take supper with us!

During the supper, I narrated about the direction of my way and the object of my journey. The merchants were listening with curiosity

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