The Forty Fortunes: A Tale of Iran by Aaron Shepard

 The Forty Fortunes: A Tale of Iran by Aaron Shepard

The Forty Fortunes: A Tale of Iran by Aaron Shepard is a charming folk tale that offers readers a glimpse into the rich storytelling tradition of Iran. The story follows a simple, poor man named Ahmed, who is faced with a challenge that seems impossible. Through his cleverness and determination, Ahmed manages to turn a difficult situation into one of prosperity, showing that wit and persistence can overcome even the most daunting obstacles.

In the story, Ahmed is a poor fortune teller who barely makes a living. One day, he is requested by the Minister’s wife to predict the location of her ring. This puts Ahmed in a difficult position, as he has no real powers of prediction. He found the hole on her dress and said “There’s a hole”. The lady remembered the hole where she put the ring and gave him a gold coin.

When there was theft at the King’s treasury, the royal diviner failed and Ahmed was summoned to find the treasure. Desperate and afraid of the consequences if he fails, Ahmed begins to mutter to himself about the "forty thieves," referring to the number of days for each of the thief. To his surprise, the real thieves overhear him counting the dates that he took from the jar that matched with the number of thieves on his roof and assume he knows about their crime, leading them to confess and return the stolen treasure. As a reward for his apparent success, the king grants Ahmed wealth and prestige, and he is offered to becomes the royal fortune teller. However, Ahmed knows that his success was pure luck, and he lives in constant fear of being exposed as a fraud. When the King offers him the responsibility of being the Royal Diviner, he denies giving an excuse that finding the treasure has drained up all his magic.

The story emphasizes themes of luck, wit, and the power of perception. While Ahmed is not truly a fortune teller, his ability to think on his feet and use his circumstances to his advantage allows him to succeed. This shows that intelligence and adaptability can be just as valuable as actual skill or knowledge. The tale also explores the idea that appearances can be deceiving—Ahmed’s fortune-telling ability is an illusion, yet it brings him great fortune and respect.

In The Forty Fortunes, Aaron Shepard retells a classic Iranian folk tale that celebrates cleverness and the triumph of the underdog. Ahmed’s journey from a poor fortune teller to a successful royal advisor teaches readers that sometimes, success comes not from talent or power, but from quick thinking and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities. The tale's lighthearted tone and timeless message make it an enjoyable and meaningful story for readers of all ages.

 


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