Scheherazade: The Sultan's Palace

From the introduction:

Ah, do come in, my friends! The night is as cold as the gaze of an uncaring woman, and as black as the heart of a man who has turned his back on the teachings of Muhammad, may all prayers and blessings be showered upon the name of the Prophet! Here you will find warmth, and comfort, and we can while away the hours with tales. I’m sure that you have not come all the way across the desert this night without a tale or two on your lips? Certainly you must have seen many strange and wondrous things on your long journey? But what a poor host I am! May Allah curse all my sons with weak zabbs for my foolishness! You are thirsty and must rest! My small caravan is not much, but all that I have is yours, for I know that Allah is kind to the generous man. Indeed, that reminds me of a tale...have you heard the story of the one-eyed man and his beautiful slave girl? First, though, pull up a cushion and rest yourselves here on my carpet. I will send for wine and cool sherberts for you to drink, perfumed with rose water. When your throats are cool and refreshed, perhaps then we shall have time for stories.