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© Copyright 1997, Jim Loy
Note: The Shipwrecked Sailor is an ancient Egyptian story. It has been called The Island of Enchantment. The original papyrus is in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia.
A sailor, having been shipwrecked, and then rescued, returned to Egypt. He tried to see the King, to tell his majesty of the miracles that he had witnessed. The King's vizier listened to the man's story, before deciding whether to allow the man to talk to the king. Here is his story.
I sailed on a big ship, with over a hundred of the finest sailors of Egypt. One day a great storm destroyed our ship. Every man drowned, except for me. I was washed ashore on a strange island. I lay exhausted on the beach for three days and three nights.
Then hunger and thirst forced me to explore the island. In the interior of the island, I found fruit and birds and fishes, which I ate. Then I gave thanks to the gods, and made sacrifices.
Then I heard a loud noise, like thunder. And the ground shook, and trees fell down. I hid my face in fear. When I finally looked up, I saw a huge snake, looking down at me. He was golden and blue. I fell on my face, and waited for my death. But, the snake said, "Why have you come here, little one? Tell me, or I will burn you to ashes."
I told him my story. And he said, "Do not be afraid, little one. A god has saved you, and sent you to me. You will stay here for four months, when a ship will come and take you back to Egypt."
When he had said this, I kissed the ground and said, "When I return to Egypt, I will tell the King about you. And he will send you oils and spices and incense."
He laughed, and said, "I do not need your gifts. I have these in abundance, more than the Lords of Punt. But, once you leave this island, no man will ever find it again."
After four months had gone by, a ship appeared. I went to tell the giant snake about the ship, but he already knew. And he gave me gifts of incense and oils and perfume and ivory and monkeys and other treasures. I thanked the gods. Then I went down to the shore, and hailed the ship, and was taken aboard.
That is my story. Now, please take me to the King, that I may present him with these gifts from the serpent god.
Apparently, the vizier was convinced, as this story was then written down by a scribe, for people to read forever.