The great Emperor Akbar had nine sages. He was rich enough to support them. That’s what they were called: “nine jewels.” But it was not noticeable that he learned anything from them.
And then one day Akbar was very angry and called his nine jewels to him and told them his word:
“People say that you are the greatest sages in the world.” But how long have you been here, and I haven’t learned anything from you! Then what are you doing here?
A child came with one of the sages; he really wanted to look at the royal palace. And when he heard this, he laughed. Akbar was indignant and said:
- What else is this? Do you know, son of sin, in whose presence you dared to reveal the seal of your bewilderment? Or is your father so wise that his child did not have even a crumb of intelligence to know how to behave in the presence of the great king?
And the child answered:
- Forgive me, oh great king, may I be a sacrifice for you! My laughter is not aimed at offending you, my laughter is directed against the silence of the wise men, for I know the reason for their silence, just as I know why you are not able to learn anything from them!
Akbar looked intently into the child's eyes. The face breathed the purity of childhood and innocence, and at the same time it was ancient. And Akbar asked him:
- Maybe you can teach me something?
The child calmly answered him:
- Yes!
Akbar ordered:
- Well, then teach!
The child answered him:
- Okay, but first you will come down from your throne, and I will sit on it. And then you will ask me as a student, and not as a king.
Akbar actually came down from the throne and sat on the floor at the feet of the child, and he stood up and sat on the throne, saying: “Well, here it is!” Ask!"
Akbar never asked anything. He touched the dust at the child’s feet with his head and said:
- May your knowledge and wisdom increase! There is no longer any need for questions. By simply sitting humbly at your feet, I have already learned a lot.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru