From editor's introduction in
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, October 1954, where it was reprinted: "One of the earliest detectives in history--the prototype of
Edgar Allan Poe's Dupin".
Indian readers will find a lot of similarity with Akbar/Birbal stories; & equally funny. Though not exactly with a happy ending that characterizes local variety.
Story summary.
Zadig, a philosopher who's extensively studied "the properties of plants & animals", is walking through the woods on the banks of Euphrates when he is accosted by queen's eunuch & king's huntsman. Looks like queen's bitch & king's horse have escaped.
Zadig becomes prime suspect -- nah, convict for having stolen the animals -- because of his superb reasoning abilities! Fun ensues.
See also.
- Plato's "Apology" (download English translation): Innocent & funny interactions of Zadig with royal animal searchers reminded me of similar naivete of Socrates in this mostly funny classic.
Fact sheet.
First published:
1747? Where?
Download full text from
ebooks@Adelaide. A much more readable translation is available as a somewhat less convenient download - in scans of
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, October 1954, included in
this larger package.
Rating: A.
Related:
Stories of Voltaire.