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Overview
Sidi Massud serves the mountain saint Belabbas by preparing warm washing water. Encounters with a devil prompt him first to refuse the task and later to demand a princess as evidence of his master’s holiness. Belabbas accompanies him to the king, whose first response is a beating. Once the saint covers him with a mantle, the blows no longer affect him and he plays with ants. The king asks for an expensive precious stone as the bride’s price, setting a further obstacle. Massud hesitates to carry his jacket filled with river stones after the devil predicts punishment, but Belabbas persuades him.
Before the king, the ordinary stones become glittering precious stones. Massud marries Lella Schafia after a long wedding celebration. His master enters the bridal chamber in dove form, causing the bridegroom to complain that he cannot escape his company. Belabbas shows him a heavenly group of maidens beneath a raised wing. Massud says he prefers them to the princess, whereupon both men become doves and fly through the window. The princess hears the earlier conversation while seeing only one person, then remains staring until found at morning. Massud’s later destination is not separately followed. The narrative shifts to her father, mother, brother and Cairo conflict; it does not return the departed bridegroom to the royal marriage.
Origins & earliest records
Hans Stumme, Märchen der Schluḥ von Tázerwalt (Leipzig, 1895), tale 18, Die Geschichte von Sidi Belabbas und Sidi Massud: complete German pp. 166–173. Abdulla Ben Mhammed, dictating contributor; Leipzig recording context Preface v–vi.
Records & interpretation
Whole German tale 18 read through King Jakob’s final grave on a Syrian mountain. Saint/servant dove departure precedes the royal family’s Cairo reunion and separate spirit-horse siege. Sphinx association remains an editorial possibility; no historical miracle date or modern shrine practice inferred.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Märchen der Schluḥ von Tázerwalt
Tale 18, complete German pp. 166–173: saint/servant pp. 166–169, Cairo family/siege pp. 169–173; Preface v–vi.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary collected narrative with German translation and contextual notesOriginal bilingual collection: Sidi Belabbas and Sidi MassudResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
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