After my many tragic ventures out at sea, from whale islands to Rocs dropping mighty boulders on our ships, I needed a change of pace. With my wealth having ballooned and my family secured, I looked to other parts of my life to fulfill myself. I have taken a liking to the sweets that they sell in the markets. Though my wife extremely disapproves of this new affliction because I have grown a bit inactive and plump since deciding to no longer go on my voyages. She absolutely forbade me from going down to the market and partaking in my indulgences. I knew that if I were to send a servant to fetch them for me, they would invariably inform her of my misdeeds, so I persevered to venture out on my own and in secret.
I convinced my wife that I would be in the study and not to disturb me as I attended to my work. I knew that this would not work for long and I needed to be quick. As I walked to my office, I thought of various ways to escape onto the street and return before arousing much suspicion. I decided that unlatching my window and climbing down from the second floor office would be the best way to make it out unseen. As I started to lower myself down, my hand slipped and it took all my willpower to not call out. As I landed, the bushes broke my fall and I hurried to my feet and set off.
Some time later, as I returned home, licking my fingers from the delicious sweets, I saw her. My wife had heard me hit the bushes, and watched as I hurried down the street. As I met her eyes, I knew, this was surely my last voyage.
Bibliography: Sindbad: Fifth Voyage by Andrew Lang
Author's Note: I wanted to explore a retired Sindbad that had actually really for sure ;eft his adventuring days behind him. I reference the first and fifth voyages in the first part of the story, but the rest of the story is not based on any of his voyages. I wanted this one to be much more lighthearted and not as deadly or dire as his actual adventures.
I love how you wrote this story. I thought the end was very funny. I also though it was a cool way to tell it. I think that it was funny how he was trying to escape by climbing out the window and then ended up falling which caused his wife to come out and see. I think it is karma because of him keeping a secret in the first place.
ReplyDeleteFor real, this is a super cute story and I like that you took it from a retired Sinbad perspective. As someone who has been on adventures his whole life, who knows what he would do as a retiree, right? The fact that he decided that he was going to live the rest of his life indulging himself in sweets is honestly the funniest thing, but also a huge mood. I definitely also love the wife trying to keep him from overindulging. It was cute to read about the domesticity!
ReplyDelete