The Shaving of Shagpat · Chapter
And This Is the Story of Noorna Bin Noorka, the Genie Karaz, and the Princess of Oolb explained
Noorna bin Noorka recounts her origin story: orphaned as an infant in the wilderness, adopted by Ravaloke, and later discovering her true identity after an encounter with Princess Goorelka.
What happens
Noorna bin Noorka recounts her origin story: orphaned as an infant in the wilderness, adopted by Ravaloke, and later discovering her true identity after an encounter with Princess Goorelka. She describes her acquisition of a book of magic from a beggar, her flight from the genie Karaz, and how she came to possess the Identical hair that was planted in Shagpat. She explains her bond with the Lily of Oolb, the loss of her beauty due to Goorelka's blight, and her eventual role in guiding Shibli Bagarag to shave Shagpat.
Themes in this chapter
Illusion vs. Reality
Noorna's mistaken beliefs about her parentage and identity contrast with the truth revealed by Goorelka and her own discoveries.
Deception and Guile
Goorelka's sorcery and deceit in stealing Noorna's beauty through the Lily; the beggars' magical tests.
Transformation and Renewal
Noorna's loss of beauty leads to humility and wisdom, enabling her to fulfill her destiny.
Characters to notice
- Noorna bin Noorka
Narrates her own backstory, from infancy to her current role as Shibli's betrothed and guide.
- Goorelka of Oolb
Princess of Oolb who taunts Noorna as a child and later steals her beauty by blighting the Lily.
- Genie Karaz
Pursues Noorna for the Identical; becomes her rebellious slave until she expends him on the horse Garraveen.
- Shagpat
Receives the Identical hair from Noorna, causing the city's lamentation and establishing his power.
- Ravaloke
Noorna's adoptive father who rescues her as an infant and raises her with love.
- Kadza
Screams after Shagpat is slapped by Karaz, part of the lamentation in the city.
Key passages
“Know, that when I was a babe, I lay on my mother’s bosom in the wilderness, and it was the bosom of death.”
Noorna begins her tale by describing how she was found as an infant lying on her dead mother in the desert.
Opening of Noorna's backstory.
“Then that sorceress Goorelka stole my beauty from me by sprinkling a blight on the petals of the fair flower, and I became as thou first saw’st me.”
Goorelka ruined Noorna's beauty by damaging the magical Lily that was linked to her appearance.
Explanation of Noorna's transformation.