What is the story of The Tale of the Merchant and the Genie?

The Tale of the Merchant and the Genie is a story from the classic Arabic literature collection, One Thousand and One Nights, also known as Arabian Nights. It tells the story of a wealthy merchant who one day stops to rest by a spring in the desert, only to accidentally kick a jar which releases a powerful genie who has been trapped inside for 1,800 years.

The genie is enraged at being freed and threatens to kill the merchant, but the merchant convinces the genie to listen to his story first. The merchant tells the genie about a terrible injustice he suffered at the hands of a sultan, who took his wealth and property, and then gave him a ruby as compensation. The merchant, being too proud to accept such a small payment, threw the ruby away, which happened to land in the very jar that had held the genie captive.

The genie is moved by the merchant's story and decides to help him get revenge on the sultan. The genie transports the merchant to the sultan's palace, where the merchant tricks the sultan into climbing into a jar. The genie then seals the jar and throws it into the sea, where it sinks to the bottom and the sultan is trapped.

The story ends with the genie rewarding the merchant for his cleverness and the sultan being punished for his injustice.

The Tale of the Merchant and the Genie is just one of many stories in One Thousand and One Nights, which is known for its captivating tales of adventure, romance, and magic. It has been a beloved work of literature for centuries and has inspired countless adaptations in film, TV, and other media.