Context: The merchant has just killed the demon’s son. (This is not a direct continuation, as the exact moment of his son’s death is not shown in the story. The text below is provided to give context about the incident. )
The Story of the Merchant and the Demon.(Page 568)
“The demon asked, “How much time do you need?” The merchant replied, “One year, so that I may see enough of my children, bid my wife good-bye, discharge my obligations to people, and come back on New Year’s Day.” The demon asked, “Do you swear to God that if I let you go, you will come back on New Year’s Day?” The merchant replied, “Yes, I swear to God.” “
Added Tale: From the Demon’s Perspective:
As the year had passed, the merchant went to his family, grieved, and divided his share of the property and wealth. The demon too, was grieving, but not for the imminent death of the merchant, he could care less about the man. He instead, was grieving for his son. The demon wept, as he recollected the many memories he shared with his son. He cursed the merchant for his carelessness while throwing the pits of his dates randomly on the ground. The demon, helplessly distraught, was recognized by a trader whom he had encountered previously. “Why are you so gloomy and angry demon?”, asked the trader. The demon replied “Because a clumsy and careless merchant has killed my son. He threw his date pits inattentively and one hit my boy.” The trader consoled the demon and told him the story of how a bull had once killed his brother:
“My brother, a keen and noble man, was also a trader. He was walking to the market one day, when he saw a farmer leading a herd of bulls. Worried, my brother began walking faster, but nonetheless, the bulls still attacked him. He died of his injuries within the hour. My mind was teeming. Clearly this was an accident; the farmer had no intention of killing my brother and I cannot hold the bull responsible and compare his cognizance to that of a man. When I had seen the farmer, however, I was enraged. I observed his daily route and at nighttime, when he was tending his herd, I jumped on him and stabbed him with my sword, killing him instantly.”
“And so demon, while I cannot bring my brother back, I am feeling much better and relieved that I know the farmer responsible for this accident was dead,” the trader continued. The demon, now knew what he must do. Accidents happen, but those who cause them must be punished, he thought. “Thank you”, the demon responded, “I will go on and kill the merchant responsible for my son’s death. I am a reasonable demon, however, and I will give him some time if he shows remorse. He has a family and friends with whom he will want to share one last experience. If he is not sorrowful, I shall kill him at once.” The trader and the demon parted ways, and the demon had his plan in place.
Tale in 1001 Nights continued:
“But hardly had he finished when he saw an old demon, with sword in hand, standing with his feet on the ground and his head in the clouds.” (Page 567)
Once the demon had finished talking to the trader, the merchant arrived shortly later. The merchant showed great remorse that he had killed the demon’s son. The demon did not want to give the merchant more time to live, but just like he told the trader, he kept his promise that if the merchant felt remorse he would grant him more time to live. When the demon granted the merchant more time to live, the merchant was very grateful yet still sad because he knew he only had a limited amount of time until he was killed. The merchant was about to go visit his family for a year before he was killed, but before he could leave the Demon stopped him. The demon said, “Since you have been so remorseful for the death of my son, i will grant you two years with your family before i must kill you.” After hearing this the merchant was very pleased and joyous. He thanked the demon and offered the demon anything he had, saying that the demon was most generous and merciful. After hearing this praise the demon was moved to near tears. So he told the merchant, “Since you have been so grateful for simply the extra time i have given you, i will grant you three years with your family before i must kill you, but that is all.” The Merchant was overwhelmed at this news for he now had time to do everything he wanted throughout the next three years. The merchant went to leave to his family again, but before he could the demon said, “Since you have proven to be remorseful for my sons death i will make you an offer, either you go to your family and be killed by me after three years, or i do not kill you but you can never return to your family, so you may experience the pain i feel from the loss of my son.” The merchant was shocked at the proposition and pondered. The demon told him, he has until nightfall to decide.