In old Baghdad, an impoverished poet, Howard Keel as The Poet, has usurped the customary prime “begging spot” of the Mecca-bound Hajj the Beggar and is mistaken for him by Jawan, a notorious elderly brigand. As a result of this mistake, Jawan's beloved young son was kidnapped, and Jawan longs to find his son before he dies. Recognizing an opportunity in the mistaken identity, the Poet asks for one hundred gold pieces to reverse the curse.