The son of the padishah asked his father, whom the people revered as the wisest ruler among all the famous shahs and sultans:
- Tell me, father, where does your great wisdom come from? In what secret books did you find it? Which teachers carefully nurtured it in you? For I want to be your true heir, not only in rank, but also in wisdom.
“My son,” answered the Shah, “I read the same books that you are reading now.” And my teachers were like your teachers in everything. But what everyone calls wisdom, I received not from them, but from an ant, a butterfly and a snake.
- How was it? Tell me, father!
“I was going on a campaign against the rebellious.” My thoughts were heavy, and my gaze was turned to the ground. I couldn't decide what to choose - war or peace. The war seemed necessary, but its hardships frightened me. And then I saw a tiny ant, who, straining with all his strength, tried to drag a burden a hundred times larger and heavier than himself. He couldn't move her, but he couldn't move away from her either. All this lasted a long time. Then I thought: why bother yourself and your people with a difficult campaign? And there was no war.
Another time it was in court. The judges had already made a decision, but everyone was silent and waited for my word. And I was going to say something that was not consistent with the law, but seemed to me at that moment the only correct and fair thing. But then the fluttering of the wings of a delicate butterfly fluttering near the window attracted my attention. And I didn’t say what I wanted, but only said: “I am a guest here, at this trial. Decide for yourself according to the law.” And the judges decided according to the law, not my wishes. And their sentence was merciful.
The third time a hired killer made an attempt on my life and was waiting for me behind the bushes in the palace garden, where I was walking alone. Suddenly a black snake slithered like a shiny ribbon at my feet. I recoiled in fear and loudly called the courtiers. They went to look for the snake and found the killer.
True wisdom, son, is not in books. True wisdom is to rely on Heaven for help. This help is always near us - it flutters in the skies, glides in the grass... Let only the eyes, ears and hearts be open to it.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru