Bedouin Haris and his wife Nafisa wandered from camp to camp, pitching their shabby tent in those places where they came across at least a few date trees, thorny bushes for their camel, or a spring of brackish water. They lived like this for many years. All Kharis's days were similar to one another, and rarely anything disturbed their usual course. He caught desert animals for their skins and wove ropes from palm fibers to sell to oncoming caravans.
But one day Kharis found a new source in the sands. He scooped some water into his palm and tasted it. The water was so different from the usual one that he was used to finding in the desert that it seemed heavenly to him. This water would have seemed disgusting and salty to us, but the Bedouin was delighted with it.
“I must take this water,” he said to himself, “to someone who will appreciate it!”
And Haris immediately hurried to Baghdad to the court of Harun Al-Rashid, filling two waterskins with water: one for himself, the other for the caliph. Day and night he drove his camel tirelessly, stopping only to refresh himself with dry dates.
Finding himself in Baghdad, the Bedouin headed straight to the palace of the ruler. The guards at the gate listened to him and, only because this was the custom at the court of the caliph, led him into the throne room.
“O Commander of the Faithful,” Kharis addressed the Caliph, “I, a poor Bedouin, know well all the springs in the desert, although I know little about anything else.” I found the source of heavenly water and thought that its water was worthy of such a great man as you. Do not refuse to accept my offering.
With these words, he handed over a waterskin to Harun Al-Rashid.
Harun the Just tasted the water and... realizing what was the matter - for he knew his people well - he ordered the guards to take Kharis away and not let him go until he made a decision. Then the Caliph called the chief of the palace guard and said to him:
- What is a trifle for us is everything for him. Lead this Bedouin out of the palace under cover of darkness so that he does not see the mighty Tigris River, and do not leave him a single step until you reach his camp. Under no circumstances should he taste the sweet river water. When you arrive there, thank him on my behalf and give him a thousand gold pieces as a gift from me. Solemnly tell him that from now on he is appointed guardian of the source of heavenly water and in the name of the Commander of the Faithful can supply this water to every traveler.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru