batch.motif.islamicate-folklore-arabian-nights-lang-gutenberg-l9138-l9247
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamicate-folklore-arabian-nights-lang-gutenberg-l9138-l9247
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
passage_locator:
label: The Arabian Nights Entertainments; lines 9138-9247
start: '9138'
end: '9247'
translation: The Arabian Nights Entertainments
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: 'A young magician restores Sidi-Nouman from dog form to human form with
water and instructs him to punish his wife Amina, also a magician, by sprinkling
magical water on her. Sidi-Nouman changes Amina into a horse and explains this
to the Caliph, who counsels that the animal transformation should be punishment
enough. A new story begins: Ali Cogia, a Bagdad merchant, dreams three nights
that an old man reproaches him for delaying pilgrimage to Mecca; he prepares to
depart and leaves a vase filled with olives, with gold hidden at the bottom, in
a merchant friend''s shop.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The young woman sprinkles water over Sidi-Nouman and says that if he was born
a man he should resume his proper form.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Sidi-Nouman's dog shape disappears and he stands before the young woman as
a man.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Sidi-Nouman expresses gratitude by throwing himself at the young woman's feet
and kissing the hem of her garment.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The daughter states that Amina is a magician and that she and Amina studied
the same art under the same mistress.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The mother describes her daughter as an accomplished magician who does good
with her knowledge.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: The young magician consults books and reports information about Amina's absence
and expected return.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: The young magician gives Sidi-Nouman a bottle and instructs him to dash its
water over Amina while speaking words of punishment.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: Sidi-Nouman dashes the water in Amina's face, speaks the magic words, and
Amina is replaced by a horse.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: The Caliph says Amina is without excuse but urges Sidi-Nouman to let her suffering
as an animal be punishment enough.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: Ali Cogia is introduced as a merchant of Bagdad with neither wife nor child.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: For three consecutive nights Ali Cogia dreams that an old man reproaches him
for delaying his pilgrimage to Mecca.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: Ali Cogia resolves to undertake the pilgrimage, sells property and wares,
and prepares goods for trade on the road.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:13
text: Ali Cogia hides a thousand pieces of gold at the bottom of a large vase and
fills the rest with olives.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:14
text: Ali Cogia asks a merchant friend to keep the vase of olives until he returns
from Mecca.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Sidi-Nouman
description: A man who had been changed into a dog, is restored to human form, and
later changes Amina into a horse with magical water.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: young magician / daughter
description: The daughter of the mother; an accomplished magician who restores Sidi-Nouman
and gives instructions for punishing Amina.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: mother
description: The mother of the young magician; she receives Sidi-Nouman's thanks
and says her daughter uses magical knowledge for good.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Amina
description: Sidi-Nouman's wife, identified as a magician; she is transformed into
a horse by the water given to Sidi-Nouman.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Caliph / Commander of the Faithful
description: The ruler who hears Sidi-Nouman's story and counsels him not to add
to Amina's punishment.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Ali Cogia
description: A Bagdad merchant who dreams of being reproached for delaying pilgrimage
and prepares to travel to Mecca.
role_refs:
- role:9
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: old man in dream
description: An old man appearing in Ali Cogia's dream for three nights to reproach
him for delaying pilgrimage.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: merchant friend
description: A merchant friend who agrees to keep Ali Cogia's vase of olives in
his shop.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
roles:
- id: role:1
label: restored transformed man
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Sidi-Nouman's dog shape vanishes and he stands as a man after water is sprinkled
on him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: benevolent magician
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: She uses magical knowledge to break Sidi-Nouman's spell and is described
as doing good by her knowledge.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: role:3
label: counter-magical instructor
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: She consults books and instructs Sidi-Nouman how to use bottled water against
Amina.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:4
label: supporting mother
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: She remains with Sidi-Nouman and explains her daughter's good use of magic.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: agent of retaliatory transformation
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Sidi-Nouman throws the water in Amina's face and speaks the words that transform
her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: harmful magician wife
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Amina is identified as a magician whose wickedness must be punished; the
Caliph says there is no excuse for her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: woman transformed into animal
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: After the magical water is dashed on her, Amina disappears and a horse stands
in her place.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: ruling judge and moral counselor
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The Caliph hears the case and advises that Amina's transformation should
be sufficient punishment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: merchant without immediate family
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Ali Cogia is introduced as a Bagdad merchant with neither wife nor child.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:10
label: pilgrim prompted by dream
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: After repeated dreams reproaching him for delay, he resolves to undertake
pilgrimage to Mecca.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:11
label: dream admonisher
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The old man appears in Ali Cogia's dreams and reproaches him for neglecting
pilgrimage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:12
label: custodian of entrusted goods
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The merchant friend gives Ali Cogia the key to his shop and promises the
vase will remain in place until his return.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: transforming water
literal_form: water in a vessel or bottle used with spoken words to restore or transform
bodies
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:2
label: dog form
literal_form: Sidi-Nouman's temporary dog shape
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: horse form
literal_form: Amina's transformed animal shape, identified as the horse Sidi-Nouman
had beaten
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: books of magical knowledge
literal_form: books consulted by the young magician to learn Amina's whereabouts
and actions
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: repeated dream warning
literal_form: three-night dream of an old man reproaching Ali Cogia
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:6
label: vase of olives hiding gold
literal_form: large vase with a thousand pieces of gold placed at the bottom and
olives filling the rest
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Restoration from dog to human
summary: The young magician sprinkles water over Sidi-Nouman with conditional words,
and his dog shape vanishes, restoring him to human form.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Revelation of rival magicians
summary: The young magician explains that she knew Amina, that both had studied
magic under the same mistress, and that Amina must be punished.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Instructions for Amina's punishment
summary: The young magician consults books, learns Amina's situation, and gives
Sidi-Nouman a bottle of water with instructions for transforming Amina.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Amina transformed into a horse
summary: Sidi-Nouman confronts Amina on her return, dashes the magical water in
her face, speaks the prescribed words, and sees a horse in her place.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Caliph's judgment on punishment
summary: After hearing the story, the Caliph acknowledges Amina's guilt but urges
Sidi-Nouman to let the animal transformation be punishment enough.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:6
label: Dream summons to pilgrimage
summary: Ali Cogia dreams three nights of an old man reproaching him for delaying
pilgrimage to Mecca and decides to depart.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:7
label: Concealment and entrusting of gold
summary: Before leaving, Ali Cogia hides gold beneath olives in a vase and entrusts
it to a merchant friend for safekeeping.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: animal transformation and restoration through magical water
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: Sidi-Nouman is restored from dog to man when water is sprinkled over him
with formulaic words; Amina is later transformed into a horse by similar use of
water and words.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The figures do not voluntarily shapeshift; the transformations are externally
imposed enchantments.
- id: motif:2
label: benevolent counter-magic against harmful magic
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The young magician is described as using knowledge for good, breaks Sidi-Nouman's
spell, consults books, and prescribes a countermeasure against Amina.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage treats this as magical knowledge and practical action rather
than an explicit wisdom teaching.
- id: motif:3
label: punitive transformation into an animal
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: Amina is punished for her crimes by being changed into a horse, and the Caliph
advises that this suffering should be enough.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The available taxonomy has no specific punitive-enchantment category;
shapeshifter is approximate.
- id: motif:4
label: dream admonition initiating pilgrimage
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
- mystical_quest
basis: Ali Cogia repeatedly dreams of an old man reproaching his delay of pilgrimage,
treats the dream as a direct warning, and resolves to travel to Mecca.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not identify the old man as divine or supernatural beyond
appearing in dreams.
- id: motif:5
label: hidden treasure entrusted in ordinary container
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ali Cogia conceals a thousand pieces of gold under olives in a vase and leaves
it with a merchant friend for safekeeping.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy reference directly matches this narrative pattern.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 9138-9144
quote_or_summary: The daughter sprinkles water over Sidi-Nouman, speaks a conditional
formula about dog or man, and his dog shape vanishes as he becomes a man.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 9146-9154
quote_or_summary: Sidi-Nouman expresses gratitude, kisses the hem of the young woman's
garment, offers himself as her slave, and recounts how he became a dog.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 9156-9166
quote_or_summary: The daughter says Amina is a magician, that both women studied
the same art under the same mistress, and that Amina must be punished.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 9168-9176
quote_or_summary: The mother says her daughter is as accomplished a magician as
Amina and does much good through her knowledge; the daughter enters with a small
bottle.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 9178-9194
quote_or_summary: The young magician says books have shown her Amina's whereabouts
and false story, then instructs Sidi-Nouman to dash the bottle's water over Amina
and say, 'Receive the reward of your crimes.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; includes short quotation from public domain text.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 9196-9203
quote_or_summary: Sidi-Nouman confronts Amina, throws the water in her face, speaks
the magic words, and Amina disappears; a horse stands in her place.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 9204-9217
quote_or_summary: Sidi-Nouman asks the Commander of the Faithful whether Amina was
too harshly treated; the Caliph says she has no excuse but urges that her suffering
as an animal be enough.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 9219-9227
quote_or_summary: 'The story of Ali Cogia begins: he is a Bagdad merchant without
wife or child; for three nights he dreams that an old man reproaches him for delaying
pilgrimage to Mecca.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 9229-9239
quote_or_summary: Ali Cogia is troubled by the dream, regards it as a direct warning,
resolves not to delay pilgrimage, and sells furniture, shop wares, and the shop
while reserving travel goods.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 9241-9245
quote_or_summary: Ali Cogia puts a thousand pieces of gold in the bottom of a large
vase, fills the rest with olives, corks it tightly, and carries it to a merchant
friend.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: 9246-9247
quote_or_summary: Ali Cogia asks his merchant friend to keep the vase of olives
until his return from Mecca; the friend gives him the shop key and promises the
vase will remain there.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Narrative actions and figures are explicit. Motif-family mapping is partly
approximate where the supplied taxonomy lacks exact categories for punitive enchantment
and entrusted hidden treasure. No comparison claims were added because the passage
itself does not make cross-textual or cross-traditional comparisons.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
The passage spans the close of Sidi-Nouman's account and the beginning of the Ali Cogia story; both narrative units are represented separately in scenes and motifs.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamicate-folklore-arabian-nights-lang-gutenberg__l9138-l9247
passage_sha256=f7509bde9545e5785b4438f61a2f747f10fcf58cffe6af2637c5f478ece18c7b