The powerful Sultan Mahmud of Ghazna once fought off his companions while hunting. He noticed smoke from the fire and, driving up to it, saw an old woman with a bowler hat.
Mahmoud said:
“The Emperor himself is visiting you today.” What are you cooking on your fire?
The old woman said:
- This is lentil stew.
The Emperor asked:
- Honorable woman, will you give me some?
“I won’t,” she answered, “there’s only enough food for me.” Your kingdom is not worth these beans. You may want my beans, but I don't want anything you have. My beans are a hundred times more valuable than anything you own. Think about your enemies who encroach on your property in every possible way. I'm free and have my own beans.
The mighty Mahmud looked at the undisputed mistress of the beans, thought about his disputed possessions and began to cry.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru