The Tale of Sinuhe, a translation by R. B.

Parkinson of an Ancient Egyptian

book, is narrated in forty stanzas of lyrical verse. Sinuhe tells the narrative
in the first-person perspective. The story is based on Sinuhe's
autobiography, which was carved into the walls of his burial pyramid after
his death. The fictitious story of the royal courtier's life begins with Sinuhe
reminiscing about the death of Egypt's king, King Sehetepibre. Sinuhe is in
Egypt, where he followed the prince, Senwosret, and the prince's children
on a mission to seize Libyan territory. Sinuhe is terrified when he overhears
a messenger informing the royal children of the king's death. Until the
messenger has gone, he hides between two bushes. Then Sinuhe disappears
into the desert, seemingly abandoning his affluent existence in Egypt.
Sinuhe is dehydrated after walking for several days and feels the dryness in
his throat is "the taste of death."
He does, however, run upon a Syrian sheik who remembers him from his
time in Egypt. Sinuhe is restored to health by the guy, and he stays with his
people for six months. Sinuhe then encounters Amunenshi, a Palestinian
ruler who asks him to reside in Retjenu with him (the Ancient Egyptian
name for Canaan and Syria). Sinuhe gives a eulogy to the departed king and
lavishes praise on the man's son, the new King Senwosret, during a
conversation with Amunenshi. Amunenshi, apparently satisfied with
Sinuhe's faithfulness, provides him with a happy existence in Retjenu,
marrying him to his daughter and assigning him to the Iaa region. Sinuhe
positions himself as a hero in Retjenu over the course of decades, living a
life of prosperity and gaining respect. Sinuhe is eventually challenged to a
battle by a fellow tribal chief. Sinuhe skillfully avoids the man's several
arrows and javelins before shooting a single arrow into his neck. The crowd
erupts in applause after Sinuhe kills the man with a blow from the man's
own axe. Sinuhe consolidates his control and establishes himself as a
formidable fighter.
Despite his good fortune in Retjenu, Sinuhe wishes to spend his dying days
in Egypt, feeling it is only fitting that he die where he was born. He prays to
God, who appears to respond in the shape of a formal invitation from King
Senwosret. The king, like Sinuhe, feels it is past time for Sinuhe to return to
Egypt.
Sinuhe journeys to Egypt after handing up his possessions and power to his
son. He is overtaken with a dissociative feeling in front of the king's throne,
not entirely aware of himself while in the king's godlike presence. The king
has no ill will toward Sinuhe for escaping so many years ago, and he offers
to give him a new house, new clothing, and a new name. A burial pyramid
fit for a king.
Sinuhe spends his final days near to the palace, watching laborers build his
tomb. Sinuhe realizes how fortunate he is, as a lowly man, to receive such
luxuries from the king at the end of the story.