Once upon a time there lived a man who set out to deceive the king himself, and this is what he came up with for this:
He lived in a small town, of which there are many today, where it is so easy to gain a reputation as a kind person with ostentatious actions and a benign physiognomy. He began to talk more quietly, dress more simply, and grew a longer beard. There was no end to his prayers, and finally, people began to feel that he really meant something and was worth something. I am, of course, talking about those people who have forgotten what is said: “The best of people is the one who wears the shortest beard, and the worst is the one who prays for a long time in public.”
Then Shatir, and that was his name, dropped a few hints, built a hut with two doors on the top of the hill and visited it often. He wore only one shirt there, and the neighbors heard his drawn-out prayers and calls coming from there.
When they asked him what he was doing, he answered: “I call on the Heavenly Powers, and I live only in the hope that they will answer me. If I could ever become worthy of this, but I highly doubt it..."
Thus he gained a reputation for piety and humility. People came and stood around the hut listening to the prayers.
So month after month passed, and people began to notice that Shatir was spending more and more time in his solitude. Passing by the hut, many heard voices as if Shatir was talking to someone. Rumors spread throughout the city.
One day, when Shatir was in the city, he visited the largest store in the city and stopped to talk. The merchant was famous for his curiosity and greed, and he bombarded Shatir with questions, but instead of answering, Shatir asked how much the carpet that decorated the merchant’s store, as well as the best pillows, cost.
The merchant's curiosity only increased. Why does Shatir need pillows? Even if he needed it, where did he get the money? And the carpet...
Then Shatir asked how much it would cost to simply borrow a carpet and pillows, and is it true that this is the best that can be found in their city?
Finally the merchant could not stand it:
- Shatir! Friend! I know that you are a kind person and you probably have a good reason for looking for a rug and pillows. If I lend them to you, will you tell me what your secret is?
- I need to consult someone.
And having said so, he left the store, leaving its owner in a state of extreme excitement. He knew that for many months now, Shatir, through self-denial, fasting and prayer, had invoked the Heavenly Forces of Good. Isn't that why he needs pillows to take them?
Finally Shatir returned and announced:
- Oh, illustrious merchant and my good friend! I consulted with those who know, and now I can tell you why I need everything I asked you for. I hope you understand my condition: you must not share with anyone what I tell you.
The merchant readily agreed, and Shatir continued:
“Perhaps you know that for quite a long time I tried to attract the attention of the Heavenly Forces of Good in order to serve them. And finally, after so many months of abstinence and sacrifices, they told me that they would come down from heaven and talk to me. I must properly prepare the meeting place.
The merchant was delighted because he hoped that perhaps he too would get something from the visit of the Heavenly Forces. He lent the carpet and pillows to Shatir and, when night fell, he crept up to the hut and looked through the crack.
Shatir was sitting on the edge of the carpet. On the other side, pillows were laid, and the merchant could swear that he clearly saw in the light of the lamp that the pillows were pressed down, as if someone invisible was sitting on them. He quietly withdrew and the next day, when the sun was shining brightly, he returned to Shatir’s hut.
— How was the conversation with the Celestials? - he asked Shatir, who looked out at the knock.
“One of them came down and talked to me. “He initiated me into many secrets,” said Shatir. “His appearance was so majestic and beautiful that it was not visible to anyone except pious and pious people. He has honored me by making my hut his place on earth, where he can meet those who are worthy. Even one glance at him transforms fate and guarantees those who saw him happiness and a place among the chosen ones of the human race.
The merchant began to beg Shatir to allow him to greet the Heavenly One, and Shatir graciously allowed him. The next day, the merchant was led through one door, and, allowing him to bow to the crushed pillows, was taken out through another. His heart shone with happiness, and although he saw nothing, he at least saw evidence of the presence of higher powers, and almost convinced himself that he had seen something.
By the time he returned home, his story had become full of colorful details. He was so excited that he completely forgot about his promise and told everything to his wife. She told her sister-in-law, who told everyone she could, and now the city was buzzing with conversation, like an agitated hive.
Soon the city was deserted, its inhabitants headed to the top of the hill, noisily demanding to be allowed into the chapel.
Shatir was calm, he led them one by one through one door and out through another, as he did with the merchant.
The whole city, every inhabitant down to the last vagabond, convinced themselves that it was he who had been singled out by the Heavenly One, and, naturally, everyone claimed to have seen it, and that its beauty was indescribable.
Quicker than it can be told, the news reached the ears of the King, who immediately suspected deception, for such things happened all the time. He sent his confidants and guards, who, in disguise, were supposed to find out everything about Shatira and his prayer house.
But everyone testified that Shatir had an impeccable life, and that he never took a penny from anyone, with the exception of the merchant from whom he borrowed a carpet and pillows. Moreover, everyone in the city claimed that they had seen the Heavenly Guest with their own eyes, and that only the last scoundrels were unable to see him. The scouts went to Shatir's house.
Returning to the capital, they reported that they had seen the same thing as everyone else, and His Majesty made a decision.
He summoned Shatir to the court.
However, Shatir, who had already done so much, expressed his reluctance: “What should I, a simple poor man, do with the King?”, and this further fueled his curiosity.
Finally the meeting took place. In the private audience room adjacent to the throne room, the King received Shatir and attacked him with questions.
“The reports of your subjects are correct down to the last detail,” answered the swindler. “The only material evidence of the presence of Heavenly Forces on earth is this beautiful mantle that I’m wearing, and which amazes everyone who sees it with its beauty. It has a magical property, like the Heavenly One himself, - those who are unclean cannot see it.
No matter how hard the King tried, he didn’t see any robe, but he immediately desired it, as if he didn’t want anything else in his life except it.
“A man of your holiness has no need for such objects.” For my part, I could compensate you for her loss if you presented her as a gift to your King.
“Your Majesty,” answered Shatir, “nothing will flatter me more.” I am just a poor spiritual man, I apologize that this thought did not occur to me without your help. Please accept this modest gift from me, and your compensation will undoubtedly be useful to me, since I will be able to use it for charitable purposes.
Shatir depicted him taking the robe from his shoulders and carefully placing it on the king. Naturally, the King did not feel anything like the robe, but he felt much more - a feeling of sacred ecstasy.
“Go to the Assembly Hall and tell the story of the robe, and describe its properties to the courtiers and representatives of my people, and also announce that I will briefly appear in it before them, and there you will receive your reward.”
But it so happened that one Sufi, who had access to the King’s chambers day and night, just at that moment entered the private audience room.
— Can I ask for a glass of water? - he asked the king.
“Of course,” and the King ordered the servant to bring what was required.
As soon as the Sufi received the glass, he immediately threw it over the king, the robe and all the splendor.
- What are you doing, idiot?! Why did you splash me? - the monarch shouted.
“The mantle allows water to pass through, in which there is nothing unclean...” with these words, Sufi took the mantle from the king’s shoulders and threw it over his shoulders. “Would Your Majesty be so kind as to proceed to the Assembly Hall and see what happens?”
The King entered the hall, and everyone who was there, knowing that the King would come out in the Heavenly Mantle, and therefore imagining that they saw it, or not wanting to appear unclean, all of them opened their mouths in amazement and screamed in admiration.
- Amazing, look at the colors, look how thin it is! Look!
The King proceeded to his throne, and soon after him the Sufi entered. Although he was “robed,” no one clapped or marveled, applauded, or said anything at all.
The Sufi came forward and said:
- Allow me, Your Majesty, to reward the noble Shatir. You have all seen the amazing mantle on His Majesty's shoulders. She was brought here by the noble Shatir, and he is undoubtedly worthy of the reward. I will ask His Majesty to personally present one hundred thousand gold pieces to Noble Shatir.
And he handed His Majesty the bag.
“Of course, Heavenly Robes are so rare that they can only be paid for with heavenly gold,” and the King handed the empty bag to Shatir, who accepted it with all possible respect.
There are still people in that kingdom who believe that Shatir’s piety called the Heavenly Powers to earth. And since this happened many years ago, more and more people honor the name of the Great Shatir, and his hut never tires of receiving pilgrims.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru