The caliph was rich, but neither countless treasures nor power pleased him. The monotonous, aimless days dragged on languidly. Advisors tried to entertain him with stories of miracles, mysterious events and incredible adventures, but the caliph's gaze remained absent-minded and cold. It seemed that life itself was boring to him, and he did not see any meaning in it.
One day, from the story of a visiting traveler, the Caliph learned about a hermit to whom the secret was revealed. And the ruler’s heart burned with the desire to see the wisest of the wise and to finally find out why man was given life.
Having warned those close to him that he needed to leave the country for a while, the caliph set off on his journey. An old servant, who raised and raised him, also went with him. At night the caravan secretly left Baghdad.
But the Arabian Desert doesn't like to joke. Without a guide, the travelers got lost, and during a sandstorm they lost both the caravan and their luggage. When they found the road, they had only one camel and some water in a leather bag.
The unbearable heat and thirst overwhelmed the old servant and he lost consciousness. The caliph also suffered from the heat. A drop of water seemed more valuable to him than all treasures! The Caliph looked at the bag. There are still a few sips of precious moisture there. Now he will refresh his parched lips, moisten his larynx, and then fall unconscious, like this old man who is about to stop breathing. But a sudden thought stopped him.
The caliph thought about the servant, about the life that he had completely given to him. This unfortunate man, exhausted from thirst, dies in the desert, fulfilling the will of his master. The Caliph felt sorry for the poor man and ashamed that for many years he had not found either a kind word or a smile for the old man. Now they are both dying, and death will make them equal. So, really, for all his many years of service, the old man did not deserve any gratitude? And how can you thank someone who is no longer aware of anything?
The caliph took the bag and poured the remaining healing moisture into the open lips of the dying man. Soon the servant stopped rushing about and fell into a peaceful sleep.
Looking at the peaceful face of the old man, the caliph experienced unspeakable joy. These were moments of happiness, a gift from heaven, for which life was worth living.
And then - oh, the infinite mercy of Providence - streams of rain poured down. The servant woke up, and the travelers filled their vessels.
Having come to his senses, the old man said:
- Sir, we can continue our journey.
But the Caliph shook his head:
- No. I no longer need a meeting with the sage. The Almighty revealed to me the meaning of existence.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru