People came to one dervish and asked him to judge a dispute between a woodcutter and a porter.
The porter, a strong, tall fellow, earned his living by carrying heavy loads for people wherever they were told to go. He saw that the woodcutter was tired of carrying a bundle of firewood, and suggested:
- Do you want me to carry your firewood?
“How can you not want to,” answered the woodcutter, wiping off his sweat.
- What will you give me for this? - asked the porter, hefting the bundle onto his shoulders.
“Nothing,” answered the woodcutter and prepared to carry the wood himself.
- Agree! - the porter exclaimed and carried the wood to the woodcutter's house.
They reached the house. The woodcutter began to thank the porter, but he said:
- Give me the agreed payment!
“But I immediately warned that I have nothing to pay with,” the woodcutter objected.
- What do you mean there’s nothing?! What about your promised “nothing”? Give it here! - the porter said sarcastically.
“That’s how they bicker, sir!” - the people explained to the dervish. - One demands “nothing” and threatens to sue, while the other is almost crying!
“It’s simple,” answered the Sufi, “let’s go to the woodcutter’s house.”
We've arrived. The Sufi went inside, called the porter, the woodcutter and all the witnesses. Then he picked up a pillow from the carpet and asked the porter:
- What is that under the pillow?
“Nothing,” answered the porter, confused.
- Oh, here it is, it’s “nothing”... Well, then take it for yourself!
He tried to escape, but the tiger caught him in one jump and tore him to pieces.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru