It is a collection of largely Middle Eastern and Indian stories of uncertain date and authorship. The stories are set within a frame story. Its scene is Central Asia where King Shahryar, after discovering that during his absences his wife has been regularly unfaithful, kills her. Then, loathing all womankind, he marries and kills a new wife each day until no more candidates can be found. His vizier’s daughter Shahrazad insists that her father give her in marriage to the king. Each evening she tells a story, leaving it incomplete and promising to finish it the following night. The stories are so entertaining, and the king so eager to hear the end, that he puts off her execution from day to day and finally abandons his cruel plan.
Translated by Edward William Lane
