One day, an Egyptian sailing ship sailed on a journey to Sinai Peninsula. There were some sailors on it who wanted to explore Sinai’s mines and what minerals they contained. There were many mines in this island with precious minerals. When the ship was on its way, a severe storm struck it, sinking it and drowning the sailors. Only one man survived, who was able to sail until he reached an island called the Magic Island.
Inhabitants of the Magic Island: Strange creatures lived on this island, with bodies like snakes, but their faces and hands like human faces and hands. Those creatures spoke as people speak and talked as they talked. Whoever fell into the hands of these snakes would die without doubt.
The Sailor’s Tale: But this sailor alone survived their harm and returned to his country safely. He told the sea commander his wondrous tale and said: I sailed on your large ship to explore Sinai’s mines. With me were 150 skilled Egyptian sailors. All of them were strong, severe, full of courage and enthusiasm. When we sailed, we talked about the weather and the journey at sea. Some of us said the wind would be calm and our journey easy. Others said: The wind will be severe and the sea will be raging.
The Rescue: Then a strong storm blew up, the sea waves intensified, and the ship was disturbed in the middle of the sea until the waves swallowed it. It sank and drowned those inside it. I saw a wooden piece from the broken ship floating on the water. I clung to it. The waves kept pushing me until they took me to the shore. I fainted from the severity of what I suffered. When I recovered from my fainting, I looked around me and found myself on a distant island from the world. I remained alone for three days, very tired and weak from severe hunger and thirst.
On the Magic Island: I walked in the parts of the island for a long time, hoping to find something to eat. Finally, I found some fruit trees and managed to hunt some birds and fish. I ate, thanked God, and praised Him much because He gave me life, saved me from drowning, and gave me life.
Fear and Anticipation: When I finished thanking God, I heard a high sound like thunder, and saw the trees shaking violently. I covered my face, terrified with severe fear, and fell to the ground, remaining like that for a while. Then I raised my head and looked around me. I found before me something like snakes, large in body, with face like a human’s face, hands like human hands, with a long beard. Some of his body was blue, and the other part was golden in color. At that moment, I understood I was on the Magic Island I had heard about, and knew that what I saw was none other than the chief of the snakes.
The Sailor and the Chief of the Snakes: I listened to him saying: Speak and tell me, you little one, why did you come here? I said to him: I came from great Egypt. My coming was on the back of a ship. A severe storm struck us, broke the ship and sank it, and also drowned those inside it. As for me, I clung to a wooden piece from its wood. The waves threw me to the shore of this island.
The Chief of the Snakes Reassures the Sailor: When he heard my words, he said: Don’t be in pain, little one, and don’t be sad. Be calm and happy. God is the one who sent you to this island. We allow you to live in it for four months. After the fourth month, a ship will pass by that you will ride and return to your beloved homeland Egypt, and live there happily once again. I will take you with me to my house.
Gratitude and Recognition of Kindness: I heard this speech from him and thanked him very much for his help. I said that when I return to my country, I will narrate to our commander everything I saw on the Magic Island, and he will send you precious, expensive gifts of oil and types of beautiful perfumes. He said: We have no need for types of beautiful perfumes, as we have much of them. As for Egyptian oils, we have nothing of them.
Farewell and Gifts: I remained in this island until four months passed. When they ended, I looked and saw a ship appearing in the expanse of the sea, as the chief of the snakes had told me. At that moment, I presented him with great gratitude, bid farewell to the island’s inhabitants, and they bid me farewell. The chief of the snakes bid me farewell and gifted me many beautiful perfumes, ivory, rare woods, and a small monkey. Then I asked permission to depart with my tongue grateful to the chief of the snakes and my heart praising God for my rescue.
The Egyptian Ship and Return to Homeland: Then I headed toward the shore and called the ship. I found it was an Egyptian ship with Egyptian crewmembers. I rejoiced at them very much, and they rejoiced at me. I returned to my generous homeland and beloved country. Praise be to God.