One man, dying far from his home, made a will in which he disposed of his property in the following words: “Let the community living where my lands are located take from them what they wish, and let what they wish give to Arif the Humble.”
At that time, Arif, a young man who had not yet created any position for himself, was the most insignificant member of this community. Therefore, the senior members took from the bequeathed plots what they wanted, according to the will, while Arif got the most insignificant piece of land, for which there were no hunters.
Many years passed, and now Arif, having matured and wiser, demanded his rightful share from the community. But the elders told him:
- We gave you what was due to you in the will.
They really believed that this was so, because the testator ordered them to take what they wanted.
And suddenly, in the midst of an argument, a stranger appeared in front of them; the severity of his face and impressive appearance immediately attracted the eyes of all those present to him. He said:
- The meaning of the will was that you must give Arif what you want for yourself, because he can manage the inheritance better than you.
These words had such an effect on the elders that in a moment of insight they suddenly understood the true meaning of the phrase: “Let what they wish be given to Arif.”
“Know,” continued the unknown man, “that if the testator had openly declared Arif as his heir, he would have been powerless to prevent the community from usurping his possessions.” At least the inheritance would be reduced. Therefore, he entrusted everything to you, foreseeing that if you consider this inheritance to be your property, you will take care of it and save it for Arif. That is why, taking care of the preservation and transfer of his wealth into the right hands, he made such a wise will. Now is the time to return them to their rightful owner.
So, the inheritance returned to the true heir due to the fact that the elders failed to see the truth.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru