The Enchanted Cat
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|
 1895 1st edition | |
| Translator | Baroness Orczy |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Adventure, Historical novel |
| Publisher | Dean and Wolf |
Publication date | 1895 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
The Enchanted Cat was edited and translated from the Hungarian by Baroness Orczy (creator of the famous the Scarlet Pimpernel series), in 1895.[1] The illustrations in the book were provided by her husband, Montagu Barstow, whom she married in 1894.
Plot
[edit]In a far-off Eastern land, near the borders of Persia, there once was a prosperous kingdom ruled by the kind-hearted Sultan Abu Hafiz. His people were content, trade flourished, and the fields were abundant. Yet, amidst all this joy, the Sultan alone carried an unending sorrow. Ever since his beloved wife, the beautiful Sultana Arizade, died tragically after being frightened by a monstrous creature near the palace gardens, the Sultan had never smiled again. His sadness cast a shadow over the entire kingdom, worrying his ministers greatly.
Concerned for the Sultan’s health and happiness, the Grand Vizier, Ben Achmed, persuaded him that marrying again could restore joy to his heart and thus benefit the kingdom. Reluctantly, Sultan Abu Hafiz agreed, provided they found a princess as virtuous and lovely as the late Arizade. Ambassadors traveled far and wide, eventually discovering a widow princess renowned for her wisdom, wealth, and beauty. Although she had a son, the Sultan was so captivated by descriptions of her charm and intelligence that he eagerly invited her to become his new wife.
The princess and her son, Ben Haroun, arrived amidst great celebrations. Her radiant beauty and wise conversation immediately impressed Abu Hafiz, who soon married her in grand ceremonies. The new Sultana, though generous, was prideful and soon revealed her true nature. She and Ben Haroun grew jealous of Prince Al Hafiz, the Sultan’s beloved heir from his first marriage, whose popularity among the people and court was unmatched. Secretly, they plotted to eliminate the prince, aiming to secure the throne for Ben Haroun.
When the aging Sultan announced his decision to abdicate in favor of Prince Al Hafiz, who was soon to marry a gentle and noble princess, the Sultana’s plots turned desperate. Together with her son, she visited Abraduz, a powerful magician from her homeland. Although the magician refused to kill the prince directly, he offered a sinister alternative: a magic potion that, when placed upon the prince’s threshold, would transform him into a black cat upon contact. However, on every new moon, the prince would regain human form for six hours.
Immediately, the Sultana executed the plan, sneaking to the prince’s chambers at night and pouring the potion at his door. The following morning, the palace awoke in confusion—Prince Al Hafiz had vanished without a trace, leaving his father and bride-to-be heartbroken. Meanwhile, a mysterious black Angora cat appeared in the palace, quickly becoming the grief-stricken Sultan’s beloved companion, comforted by the cat’s strangely familiar eyes.
The Sultana knew the cat’s true identity and plotted to destroy it before the new moon, fearful the prince might regain his human form. Her attempts repeatedly failed, thwarted by fate and the cat’s cunning nature. Finally, on a dark night, aided by a sleeping draught given to the Sultan, the Sultana seized the cat from the Sultan’s bed and flung it into the lake, certain it would drown. Miraculously, Prince Al Hafiz’s bride-to-be, bathing with her attendants, rescued the animal as it fell, leaving the Sultana enraged by her defeat.
Determined, the Sultana and Ben Haroun devised a final plan on the night of the next new moon. They baited the prince-cat with a freshly caught trout, and when he approached, they swiftly captured him, bound him with a heavy stone, and prepared to drown him in the lake. At the very moment Ben Haroun raised his hands to cast the cat into the water, the crescent moon appeared, breaking the magician’s spell. Prince Al Hafiz regained his human form instantly and easily overcame his stepbrother. The terrified Sultana fled.
When Sultan Abu Hafiz learned of the treachery, his rage knew no bounds. He banished the Sultana and Ben Haroun from his kingdom forever. The wicked magician Abraduz faced execution for his dark deeds. With joy restored, the good Sultan celebrated the marriage of Prince Al Hafiz and his beloved princess in grand style, bringing happiness and peace back to the entire realm.
And so, in that distant kingdom, Sultan Abu Hafiz, Prince Al Hafiz, and his lovely bride lived happily and prosperously, perhaps even to this very day. [2]
References
[edit]- ^ Baroness Emmuska Orczy Orczy (1895). The Enchanted Cat [and Other Fairy Tales. Translated and Edited by the Baroness Orczy]. London. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "The Enchanted Cat — Hungarian Folk Tale". Fairy Tale Tree. 2020-12-07. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
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