The Story of Zobeide or The Eldest Lady's Tale

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The Arabian Nights Entertainments Complete in One Volume, Jonathan Scott, J.J. Woodward, 1830 

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The Arabian Nights: In five volumes, Rev. Forester, Printed for William Miller by W. Bulmer and Co, 1802, engravings Robert Smirke

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Arabian Nights Entertainments, Burton translation, 1954, Henry Torrens, Edward Lane & John Payne

Arthur Szyk

     Upon the death of her parents, Zobeide and her two sisters inherit a large sum of money that they split. The two sisters lose their money quickly with poor choices of husbands. Zobeide takes them back into her home. One day she goes on a merchant ship and meets a man in a desolate city who tells her the city was cursed by Allah. He leaves the city to marry the Zobeide. Her sisters become very jealous and throw them overboard. The man drowns but she lives and arrives on the shore of an island where she sees a dragon and a serpent fighting. She helps the serpent who turns out to be a Jinniyah. In thanks, the Jinniyah sinks the ship and turns the sisters into black bitches whom Zobeide must beat daily or become one herself.

The Story of Zobeide or The Eldest Lady's Tale