Summary

The male narrator is confused about why the king has chosen him to be in the harem. He was puzzled not only because he is a man and the king is heterosexual, but also because he is a very unattractive man. He related back to a time two months ago when the king was visiting the offices of the clerks and arguing with the narrator’s superiors about getting a bridge built. While he was arguing, the narrator was looking out the window at the palace gardens and became aroused by the beauty of the spring day. He let out a moan which was heard by the king and his superiors. The king stared at the narrator and looked as though he wanted to say something. Initially, when the narrator is taken by the king’s guards, he believes that it...