In ancient times, when the children of Adam multiplied beyond measure, the calamities in the world also increased. Some disasters were called diseases, others vanity, some were of uncertain nature and significance. People began to unite into tribes and nations, so that together it would be easier for them to fight these troubles, endure or avoid them. And at the same time, the peoples became divided and ceased to understand themselves, and even each other. People invented themselves, learned from others, even from insects, and mastered various forms of activity, and this became a factor that distracted their attention from the goals for which they were settled on earth.
The Dervish teacher Khidr, tirelessly wandering the earth, visited different categories of human beings who lived in deserts and cities, in mountains and islands, villagers and nomadic tribes; and all this in order to find people who would be able to hear his message, which was: “The true well-being of man lies in the true well-being of people.” But the strange thing is, only three people in the whole world were able to hear his words.
And Khidr said to the first man:
“If you go on a journey with me, it may be of benefit to you.”
The man joined Khidr, and then one day they came to a river, stopped on the bank, and Khidr asked:
- If you wanted, what could this river become for you?
“I would like this river to become obedient to me, so that I would make it work for me, for my own good and the good of all people.”
“So be it,” said Khidr.
After that they moved on. The mountain stood in their way, and Khidr said:
“Could this mountain become something for you if you wanted?”
“I would like to learn from this mountain its knowledge, because it has been here for a long time, long before I was born.” Then I would use this knowledge myself, and also pass it on to other people.
- So be it! - said Khidr.
They continued their journey, and soon a landscape covered with lush meadows and fruit-bearing trees spread out in front of them.
“Would you like this area to become something for you?”
“I would like this place to become my home, and I would settle here and spend the rest of my days teaching others the wisdom that I have learned.”
“So be it,” said Khidr.
Here he took leave of the man whose wishes were all fulfilled in due course.
Then Khidr found a second person who could hear him and invited him on the journey. Together they set off on their journey. After some time, they saw a certain sage talking with people. Khidr asked his companion:
-Who could this person be for you if you wanted?
“I would like this sage to allow me to become his follower, and when he dies, I would continue his teaching,” said the man.
“So be it,” said Khidr.
They went further, and soon saw a crowd of people, where some oppressed others who had become innocent victims.
- What would you do in these circumstances if you had a choice? - Khidr asked.
“I would like to end the oppression of these innocents and punish the tyrants,” said the man.
“So be it,” said Khidr.
They set off again and entered a city, and there lived people who had many useful qualities, but were so narrow-minded that they never left the city to share their achievements with others.
“Is there anything you would want to do under these circumstances?” - Khidr asked.
“I would like to be able to convince these people that it is the duty of every person to share his knowledge with everyone,” the man answered.
“So be it,” Khidr declared. Then he left this man too, fulfilling all his wishes.
He found Khidr and the third last person from those who alone in the whole world were able to hear him and invited him on a journey. The man accepted the invitation. Having walked a short distance together, they found themselves in a country in which noble people and their slaves lived, high, low, and middle class.
- Would you like to intervene in this situation? - Khidr asked.
“I would like to be able to do what was right,” the man replied.
“So be it,” said Khidr.
Continuing their journey, they encountered people suffering severely from hunger because all their crops had died, and Khidr asked the third man:
- Would you like to see these people fed?
The man replied:
“I would like them to put up with their plight when it is better for them, and not to put up with their poverty if such a lot is better for them.”
“So be it,” said Khidr.
Continuing their journey, they came to a place where people lived who seemed pious and humble, law-abiding and civilized, where everyone was happy with their lot.
- How would you like to deal with these people? - Khidr asked.
“I would like them to come to a full understanding of what is their true good and what else they could do and feel,” said the man.
“So be it,” said Khidr.
He then broke up with the third man, granting him three wishes. And these nine aspirations of three people, people who were able to hear Khidr, laid the foundation for all types of human activities and occupations, but it is the work of the third person that received the special blessing of Khidr and continues from generation to generation.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru