Ayaz was the companion and slave of the great conqueror Mahmud, the monarch of Ghazna. He first came to court as a poor slave, but Mahmud made him his advisor and friend. The rest of the courtiers were jealous of Ayaz and watched his every move, intending to catch him in some mistake and thus cause his downfall.
One day these jealous people came to Mahmud and said:
- Allah's shadow on earth! Know that we are tireless and, as always in your service, we carefully watched your slave Ayaz. We must inform you that every day, after leaving the Court, Ayaz goes to a small room where no one is ever allowed. He spends some time there and then goes to his own apartment. We are afraid that this habit of his may be connected with a criminal secret. Perhaps he is connected with conspirators, even those who have plans for Your Majesty's life.
For a long time, Mahmud refused to hear anything against Ayaz. However, the mystery of the locked room did not leave his mind until he felt that he had to ask Ayaz.
One day, as Ayaz was leaving his private room, Mahmud appeared, surrounded by courtiers, and demanded to be admitted there.
“No,” said Ayaz.
“If you do not allow me to enter the room, then all my faith in you as a trustworthy friend will evaporate, and from now on we will never be on the same terms.” Make your choice,” said the cruel conqueror.
Ayaz began to cry and then opened the door to his room and allowed Mahmud and his entourage to enter. There was no furniture in the room, all that was there was a hook on the wall, on it hung a patched and worn cloak, a staff and a begging bowl. The king and his retinue could not understand the significance of their discovery. When Mahmud demanded an explanation, Ayaz said:
“Mahmoud, during the many years that I was your friend and advisor, I tried never to forget my origins and came here every day to remind myself who I was. I belong to you, and all that belongs to me are my rags, my stick, my begging bowl and my wanderings across the face of this earth.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru