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From "The Thousand and One Nights, Vol. I.: Commonly Called the Arabian Nights' Entertainments" by Unknown
Shahrazad
The vizier's daughter who volunteers to marry King Shahriyar and tell him stories each night to delay her execution.
Core Belief
"Stories have the power to change hearts and minds, and even to save lives."
Worldview
Life is full of danger and injustice, but wit and wisdom can triumph over cruelty and oppression. She believes in the power of storytelling to create empathy and understanding.
Personality
Intelligent, courageous, and resourceful, Shahrazad uses her knowledge of stories and her cunning to save herself and other women from the king's wrath. She is compassionate and cares deeply for the welfare of her people.
In Their Own Words
"It has been related to me, O happy King, that there was a certain merchant who had great wealth, and traded extensively with surrounding countries; and one day he mounted his horse, and journeyed to a neighbouring country to collect what was due to him..."
"By Allah, O my father, give me in marriage to this King: either I shall die, and be a ransom for one of the daughters of the Muslims, or I shall live, and be the cause of their deliverance from him."
"Most willingly, answered Shahrazád, if this virtuous King permit me. And the King, hearing these words, and being restless, was pleased with the idea of listening to the story; and thus, on the first night of the thousand and one, Shahrazád commenced her recitations."
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