The autocratic ruler of Turkestan one evening, listening to the stories of the dervish, asked him about Khizr.
“Khizr,” said the dervish, “comes when he is needed.” The person who grabs him by the hem of his robe when he appears will become a perfect sage.
- Can this happen to anyone? - asked the king.
“Yes, with everyone who is worthy,” answered the dervish.
“Who is “more worthy” than me?” - thought the king and immediately ordered a decree to be issued: “Whoever brings to me the invisible Khizr, the great patron of people, I will make rich.”
The cries of the heralds were heard by the poor old man Bakhtiyar Baba. He came to his wife and said:
- I have a plan. We'll be rich soon, but then I'll have to die. I’m not afraid of this, but you will live the rest of your days in abundance.
And so Bakhtiyar Baba appeared before the king and declared that within 40 days he could find Khizr if the king gave him a thousand gold pieces.
“If you really bring Khizr,” said the king, “you will receive another 10 thousand.” But if you don’t bring it, you will die a shameful death as an edification to those who believe that they can joke with kings.
Bakhtiyar was satisfied with this condition and left, receiving a thousand gold pieces. Returning home, he gave the money to his wife so that she could live out the rest of her days comfortably. He spent all forty days in thought, preparing for the transition to another world. On the fortieth day he again came to the king.
“My lord,” he said, “out of your greed, you decided that with the help of money you could summon Khizr.” But Khizr, as we know, does not appear in response to a call driven by greed.
These words made the monarch furious.
“Scoundrel,” he roared, “you will pay with your life for your insolence.” Who are you to laugh at the king’s wishes?!
Bakhtiyar continued as if nothing had happened:
“The legend says that anyone can meet Khizr, but how much benefit he gets from this meeting depends on how pure his intentions are. Khidr, they say, can visit a person if he is worthy of his visit, and will be present for as long as the person is worthy of his presence. These are the conditions, and it is not in our power to change anything.
“Enough ranting,” shouted the king. - This will not save your life. All that remains is for my ministers to choose your execution.
With these words, the ruler turned to his ministers and asked:
-What kind of death does this person deserve?
The First Minister replied:
“He should be burned alive as a warning to others.”
The second minister, having received the floor, said:
“The best thing to do is cut it into pieces.”
The third minister said:
“I think he needs to be released and provided with everything necessary for life, because only the need that his family experienced pushed him to commit a crime.”
As soon as the minister finished his speech, an ancient elder entered the throne room and spoke right from the threshold:
“Each of these people spoke as his hidden bias told him.
- What does it mean? - asked the surprised king.
- This means that the first minister was a former baker. Therefore, he suggested frying Bakhtiyar. The second minister was once a good butcher, which is why he advised to quarter Bakhtiyar. The third minister studied the art of government and managed to understand the reasons for this incident. Now consider the following: first, Khidr appears and helps whoever is able to benefit from his visit. Secondly, this man named Bakhtiyar, whom I call Baba as a sign of his sacrifice, was forced to do what he did because he was in extreme despair. He increased his need for me, and I came to him.
Having said this, the ancient elder disappeared in front of the amazed eyes of those present.
In an effort to fulfill Khizr's instructions, the king granted Bakhtiyar a permanent pension. The first and second ministers were expelled from the palace, and a thousand gold pieces were returned to the treasury by the grateful Bakhtiyar and his wife. The king was worthy to meet Khizr again, but what happened at this meeting is told in another story.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru