BY JAMES BALDWIN
The Barmecide Feast
Famous Stories Retold: Story 41 of 50
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Illusory Feast: The story involves a beggar named Schacabac who is invited to a grand feast by a wealthy man named Barmecide, only to find that the food is imaginary.
Moral: The story illustrates themes of patience, humor in adversity, and the rewarding of good spirits and wit.
A good book we like, we explorers. That is our best amusement, and our best time killer
- Roald Amundsen, Explorer
The Barmecide Feast: Decoding a Tale of Hope and Generosity
Dive into an ancient story that unravels lessons of hope, generosity, and resilience. The tale of the Barmecide Feast, an enigmatic event that symbolizes the triumph of optimism over adversity, will enchant you. This narrative, rich in allegory, illuminates how the human spirit can turn even the bleakest of circumstances into a banquet of possibilities. Unearth the profound implications of this tale and discover how its timeless wisdom can inspire our modern lives. The feast is about to begin. Are you ready?
The Unassuming Characters: Barmecide and Schacabac
In the heart of a beautiful land, two men of starkly different lives coexisted: the Barmecide, a wealthy old man living in a luxurious palace amidst sprawling gardens, and Schacabac, a poor man adorned in rags who subsisted on discarded scraps. The Barmecide, despite his riches, was known for his kind heart and generosity. In contrast, Schacabac, despite his poverty, was full of cheer and carried a light heart, embodying the essence of contentment even in the face of adversity. Their disparate lives, enriched by their unique qualities, set the stage for an unexpected encounter that would change their futures.
The Encounter at the Palace: A Meeting of Opposites
One day, driven by hunger and desperation, Schacabac decided to seek help from the Barmecide. Upon his arrival at the palace, he was greeted warmly by the servant and was allowed to meet the Barmecide. Schacabac found himself in a grand hall filled with soft carpets, fine paintings, and luxurious couches. Here, he was introduced to the Barmecide, a noble man with a long white beard. Schacabac's humble appeal to the Barmecide's kindness led to an unexpected invitation to dine with him. This meeting of opposites was the beginning of a remarkable turn of events in Schacabac's life.
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The Illusionary Feast: A Test of Character
The Barmecide, in an unusual display of hospitality, initiated an imaginary feast. He began to mime washing his hands and invited Schacabac to join him. Though perplexed, Schacabac mimicked the actions of his host, maintaining a respectful demeanor. The Barmecide then proceeded to pretend to carve a roast and invited Schacabac to help himself to the nonexistent feast. Schacabac, despite his gnawing hunger, played along with the charade, pretending to eat and savor the invisible delicacies. This illusionary feast served as a test of character that revealed Schacabac's true nature: a man of humility, patience, and good humor.
A Surprising Turn of Events: The Real Banquet
As the Barmecide’s jest seemingly came to an end, a striking turn of events unfolded. The Barmecide clapped his hands and commanded his servants to bring in the real feast. The very dishes they had just feigned to devour were now truly laid before them. This unexpected twist left Schacabac astounded as he had never witnessed such a spread of delicacies in his life. They feasted on roasted lamb, sweet sauces, honey, raisins, green peas, and figs, all mirroring the imaginary banquet they had just partaken in. The feast served as a reflection of Schacabac's patience and his ability to maintain a good humor even in the face of adversity.
The Reward of Humility and Good Humor: Schacabac's New Life
Following the surprise feast, the Barmecide bestowed upon Schacabac a reward that he could never have anticipated. Recognizing Schacabac's humility, good humor, and quick wit, the Barmecide invited Schacabac to live with him and manage his house. It was a reward beyond measure, an offer of a new life that Schacabac could scarcely have dreamt of. His days of hunger and hardship were over, replaced by a life of comfort and security under the Barmecide's roof. This sudden transformation in Schacabac's fortunes underscores the narrative's theme of rewards that follow humility and good humor.
The Enduring Lesson of the Barmecide Feast: Reflecting on the Story
The tale of the Barmecide Feast offers several enduring lessons for its readers. The most significant among these is the power of humility and good humor. Despite Schacabac's dire circumstances, he maintained a light heart and treated his encounter with the Barmecide with grace and wit. His ability to humor the Barmecide's jest and participate in the imaginary feast demonstrated his adaptability and resilience. It is this approach to life's challenges that ultimately brought about his reward and transformation. The story encourages its readers to embrace humility and optimism even in the face of adversity, promising that such qualities can lead to unforeseen rewards and opportunities.
Conclusion
In the timeless tale of the Barmecide Feast, we are reminded that life's richness is not defined by material possessions, but by our capacity for generosity, resilience, and hope. The humble Schacabac's unwavering optimism transforms a pretense into a banquet, his good humor and humility rewarded with an abundance beyond his wildest dreams. Similarly, the Barmecide’s act of kindness underscores the power of generosity. The story teaches us to maintain a light heart in times of adversity, and to always be open to the banquet of possibilities life offers. Truly, the Barmecide Feast is a testament to the enduring human spirit.
There was once a rich old man who was called the Barmecide. He lived in a beautiful palace in the midst of flowery gardens. He had everything that heart could wish.
In the same land there was a poor man whose name was Schacabac. His clothing was rags, and his food was the scraps which other people had thrown away. But he had a light heart, and was as happy as a king.
Once when Schacabac had not had anything to eat for a long time, he thought that he would go and ask the Barmecide to help him.
The servant at the door said, "Come in and talk with our master. He will not send you away hungry."
Schacabac went in, and passed through many beautiful rooms, looking for the Barmecide. At last he came to a grand hall where there were soft carpets on the floor, and fine pictures on the walls, and pleasant couches to lie down upon.
At the upper end of the room he saw a noble man with a long white beard. It was the Barmecide; and poor Schacabac bowed low before him, as was the custom in that country.
The Barmecide spoke very kindly, and asked what was wanted.
Schacabac told him about all his troubles, and said that it was now two days since he had tasted bread.
"Is it possible?" said the Barmecide. "You must be almost dead with hunger; and here I have plenty and to spare!"
Then he turned and called, "Ho, boy! Bring in the water to wash our hands, and then order the cook to hurry the supper."
Schacabac had not expected to be treated so kindly. He began to thank the rich man.
"Say not a word," said the Barmecide, "but let us get ready for the feast."
Then the rich man began to rub his hands as though some one was pouring water on them. "Come and wash with me," he said.
Schacabac saw no boy, nor basin, nor water. But he thought that he ought to do as he was bidden; and so, like the Barmecide, he made a pretense of washing.
"Come now," said the Barmecide, "let us have supper."
He sat down, as if to a table, and pretended to be carving a roast. Then he said, "Help yourself, my good friend. You said you were hungry: so, now, don't be afraid of the food."
Schacabac thought that he understood the joke, and he made pretense of taking food, and passing it to his mouth. Then he began to chew, and said, "You see, sir, I lose no time."
"Boy," said the old man, "bring on the roast goose.—Now, my good friend, try this choice piece from the breast. And here are sweet sauce, honey, raisins, green peas, and dry figs. Help yourself, and remember that other good things are coming."
Schacabac was almost dead with hunger, but he was too polite not to do as he was bidden.
"Come," said the Barmecide, "have another piece of the roast lamb. Did you ever eat anything so delicious?"
"Never in my life," said Schacabac. "Your table is full of good things."
"Then eat heartily," said the Barmecide. "You cannot please me better."
After this came the dessert. The Barmecide spoke of sweetmeats and fruits; and Schacabac made believe that he was eating them.
"Now is there anything else that you would like?" asked the host.
"Ah, no!" said poor Schacabac. "I have indeed had great plenty."
"Let us drink, then," said the Barmecide. "Boy, bring on the wine!"
"Excuse me, my lord," said Schacabac, "I will drink no wine, for it is forbidden."
The Barmecide seized him by the hand. "I have long wished to find a man like you," he said. "But come, now we will sup in earnest."
He clapped his hands. Servants came, and he ordered supper. Soon they sat down to a table loaded with the very dishes of which they had pretended to eat.
Poor Schacabac had never had so good a meal in all his life. When they had finished, and the table had been cleared away, the Barmecide said,—
"I have found you to be a man of good understanding. Your wits are quick, and you are ready always to make the best of everything. Come and live with me, and manage my house."
And so Schacabac lived with the Barmecide many years, and never again knew what it was to be hungry.
