Hindbad, the porter was excited since he was back at the home of Sindbad, the sailor, for another feast and another story. Sindbad, one of the richest men in Baghdad, came by his wealth during his voyages by sheer grit, determination and luck.

The previous days, Sindbad had told Hindbad the adventures during his first four voyages. Today, Sindbad was going to describe his fifth voyage.

For a few years after his fourth voyage, Sindbad decided never to go on another adventure.

Though he was initially satisfied with his peaceful life, Sindbad eventually forgot about all the troubles he faced during his voyages. He wanted to go on a new one, but this time he decided to build a ship to take him on his journey. Since there was ample space, he allowed a few other merchants to join him on his voyage.

After sailing a few days, they stopped at the first land they saw. It was a deserted island. On the island, they come across a giant egg which was about to hatch.

“Look at the size of this egg,” said one of the merchants. “Let us eat it.”

“This is a roc egg. And my experience tells me rocs are very dangerous. The last thing we want is for the mother and father of this roc to come after us,” Sindbad said.

Not heeding to Sindbad, the men made a meal of the roc egg. They had barely completed their meal when at a distance, they could see two huge clouds approaching.

“Looks like the adult rocs are returning to their little one. We better get off of this island immediately else we will have to face their wrath,” declared Sindbad.

All of them rushed to their ship, but they were too late. The rocs noticing their young one dead, brought two huge boulders and threw them on the ship. All the men on board the ship either were crushed by the boulders or went overboard. The impact of the boulder threw Sindbad into the water. He held to a plank of wood from the ship and swam until he reached an island.

“Lost again. I wonder if I will ever go on an adventure without getting lost. At least, the island has a beautiful garden with water and fruits.”

Eating some of the luscious fruits and drinking the sweet water, Sindbad rested on the grass that night.

The next day, Sindbad went into the island and saw an older man sitting on the bank of a stream. The man looked frail. Assuming him to have been shipwrecked like himself, Sindbad said, “Sir, why are you sitting here? Do you need any help?”

Instead of answering, the man gestured Sindbad to take him on his back and carry him across the stream.”

Wanting to help, Sindbad did as requested.

Unfortunately, the man held him tight onto his neck, almost strangulating him. From then on, the man forced Sindbad to carry him everywhere, never letting go of the hold on his neck. Even during nights, he lay next to Sindbad holding onto Sindbad’s neck.

“This man is not letting go of me at all. He is not letting me eat or sleep. I cannot continue like this forever, but what do I do?” thought Sindbad.

One day, Sindbad came across some grapes and ate them. “These grapes taste sweet, ” he thought. Sindbad ate many grapes, not realising the grapes were intoxicating. Feeling exhilarated for the first time in days, Sindbad began to dance and sing while carrying the man on his back,

Seeing the effect of the grapes on Sindbad, the man gestured Sindbad to give the grapes to him. Luckily for Sindbad, the grapes inebriated the man making him loosen his grip. In an instant, Sindbad threw the man on the ground and killed him.

Finally free, Sindbad walked further into the island and soon came across the crew of a ship. The men were amazed to hear his story.

“The man you escaped was the ‘Old man of the Sea’. He is a magical being who forces men to do as he wishes and eventually kills them. No known person has escaped him before. You are lucky to be alive,” the captain said.

The captain added, “We are going to be collecting cocoa nuts to sell. Why do you not join us?”

Sindbad happily joined the men as they reached a forest with thick cocoa-nut trees. They saw apes of various sizes in the woods. The apes climbed the trees swiftly as soon as they saw the men.

“The trees are smooth. How do we get the nuts?” asked one of the men. “Look at the apes on top of the trees. They look ferocious.”

Not knowing how to get the cocoa-nuts down, all of them stood wondering when one of them said, “Let us throw stones at the apes and chase them away first.”

The men gathered stones and threw them at the apes. The apes got angry and began picking the Cocoa-nuts and throwing them on the ground. For every stone the men threw at them, the apes threw two cocoa nuts back. Soon, there was enough cocoa on the ground to fill all their bags. Picking up the fallen cocoa until the bags got filled up, Sindbad and the men left.

After leaving that island, Sindbad’s ship reached another island where he did pearl-fishing.

Eventually, Sindbad returned to Baghdad with his expensive cargo. More wealthy than ever, Sindbad donated a part of his wealth to the poor but still had a lot to lead a luxurious life.

With this, Sindbad’s completed the account of his fifth voyage.

Addressing Hindbad, Sindbad said, “Take these hundred gold coins home and come back tomorrow to hear about my sixth voyage.”

Hindbad went back home eager to return the next day to hear from Sindbad about his next voyage.