Story Summary
Experience Sinbad's Fifth Voyage as he survives a Roc attack and outsmarts the Old Man of the Sea. A classic tale of endurance and wit from the Arabian Nights.
Driven by a restless spirit, Sinbad set sail for his fifth voyage. During the journey, his crew discovered a giant Roc’s egg on a desert island and, despite Sinbad’s warnings, broke it open to eat the chick inside. The parent Rocs soon returned, raining massive boulders from the sky and smashing the ship to pieces. Sinbad was the sole survivor, washing ashore on a lush island where he met a frail-looking elder. Out of kindness, Sinbad allowed the man to climb onto his shoulders to cross a stream. However, the stranger—the malevolent Old Man of the Sea—refused to get off, tightening his legs like iron bands around Sinbad’s neck for days. Enslaved and exhausted, Sinbad eventually found wild grapes and fermented them into wine. He tricked the Old Man into drinking the brew until his grip loosened in a drunken stupor. Sinbad cast the monster off, escaped the island with the help of passing merchants, and eventually returned to Baghdad wealthier than before.
The Moral
Kindness should be tempered with caution, and even the most suffocating burdens can be overcome through patience and cleverness.
“Wisdom is the only weapon that can sever the heaviest chains and unbind the tightest grip.”
Fun Fact
The 'Old Man of the Sea' has become a popular literary archetype, even appearing as a reference in Ernest Hemingway's famous novella of a similar name.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Sinbad's Fifth Voyage?
The story teaches that one must use their wits and presence of mind to escape life's burdens. It also warns that misplaced kindness toward the deceitful can lead to one's own downfall.
Who is the Old Man of the Sea in the story?
The Old Man of the Sea is a malevolent creature who tricks travelers into carrying him, then uses his powerful legs to enslave them indefinitely. He represents a parasitic burden that is difficult to shake off.
How does Sinbad defeat the Old Man of the Sea?
Sinbad observes the abundance of grapes on the island and ferments them into wine. He tricks the Old Man into drinking it, causing him to become intoxicated and loosen his iron-like grip.
Why did the Rocs destroy Sinbad's ship?
The giant birds attacked the ship in an act of vengeance after Sinbad's crew ignored his pleas and slaughtered a Roc chick by breaking its massive egg. This highlights the consequences of greed and disrespecting nature.
How did Sinbad survive the shipwreck in his fifth voyage?
After the Rocs destroyed the ship with giant stones, Sinbad managed to grab onto a piece of floating timber. He drifted with the currents until he reached the shore of a fertile island.
What does the Old Man of the Sea symbolize?
In literary terms, he often symbolizes a person or responsibility that becomes an inescapable weight. The phrase has since become a common idiom for a lingering, troublesome burden.