One eastern ruler, when he ascended the throne, immediately determined for himself that he wanted to become famous by telling people the most detailed history of all humanity, or rather of themselves. And he ordered his vizier, a young man like himself, to gather 1000 of the most eminent and wise historians to prepare a report for him. After 20 years, a caravan of 200 camels arrives, carrying multi-volume collections with a detailed history of mankind.
The Bishop became indignant, saying that he couldn’t read so much in his entire life, let alone announce it to the people, and ordered it to be shortened. After 20 years, a caravan of 50 camels carrying thick volumes of books approaches his palace. The Bishop is again indignant, saying that his age is already coming to an end, and he certainly cannot read so much literature and tell it to people. Again he ordered a reduction. Another 15 years later, when the ruler lay on his deathbed and all the inhabitants of that country, as one, honored his successor, a donkey carrying a thick book approached the gates of his castle, and the old man who had once been that young vizier led that donkey by the bridle. Already half-blind and half-dead, the ruler ordered that vizier to be invited to his place. The old vizier bent over the dying ruler, and he asked him: “So what is the whole history of mankind? If I cannot convey it to the people, then at least I myself will know...” And the vizier answered him: “They were born, suffered and died...”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru