One day the padishah, without servants or retinue, left the city gates. He saw a beggar sitting under a tree and asked him:
- Tell me, is the padishah in your country cruel?
The beggar replied:
- Don't ask! A beast, not a man! Then the padishah asked.
- Don’t you recognize me?
- How can I know you, stranger! The padishah laughed:
- I am your padishah, fool. Then the beggar asked:
- Don’t you know me, padishah? The padishah was surprised at such a daring question and said:
- No, I don’t know.
- So, I am the son of a merchant and three times a week I go crazy - I don’t recognize anyone. Today is just the third day.
The padishah smiled and did not say anything to him.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru