One simple-minded man dreamed that a spring was gushing out of his stomach, and he went to a dream interpreter and soothsayer. He demanded a whole dinar for an explanation. Having received the money, the soothsayer said:
- In three days your son will be born - this is the meaning of your dream.
And indeed, soon his wife gave birth to a son.
After some time, the simple-minded man’s leg hurt, and he again went to the soothsayer so that he could heal him. The soothsayer again demanded a dinar, and I had to give him this money.
“Go to bed,” said the soothsayer, “and apply an egg to the sore spot and lubricate the area with hot honey.”
He did just that and soon recovered.
“How easy it is to be a soothsayer,” thought the simple-minded man, “he said two or three words and earned a whole dinar.” I'll try to do the same!
He abandoned his affairs and declared himself a soothsayer and interpreter of dreams. He sold everything he had, and with the proceeds he bought books, medicines, bought elegant clothes, wrapped a large turban around his head and opened a shop in the market.
It so happened that on the same day the Caliph had a dream. He called a newly minted soothsayer to him to interpret his dream. The soothsayer first demanded a dinar, and upon receiving it said:
— Your dream foreshadows a pleasant event. In three days your son will be born.
The Caliph laughed and said:
“I’m a castrato and I don’t have a wife, so how can there be a child?” Enough chatter, give the correct interpretation. My heart hurts.
“In that case, give me one more dinar,” demanded the soothsayer.
They gave him money and he said:
- Place an egg on your heart and coat it with hot honey.
The caliph became furious and ordered the hapless dream interpreter to be punished with whips.
“I don’t need easy money, I’d better get back to my previous occupation,” thought the simple-minded man.
So he did.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru