Once, Sheikh was the commander-in-chief in Sultan Mir Murtaza’s kingdom. One day, the Sultan and Sheikh went hunting. Soon they were tired and both of them sat down to rest under a tree. There was a lake at some distance. The Sultan told Sheikh to take the horses to the lake. Sheikh followed the orders and led the horses away. When they reached the lake, he turned around and led the horses back to where the Sultan was resting. The Sultan glanced at the thirsty horses and asked Sheikh whether the horses had drunk some water. Sheikh shook his head, saying they hadn’t. The surprised Sultan asked Sheikh, “Why?” Sheikh said he was told to take the horses to the lake, not to make them drink water. He said, “I was following your orders, Sultan.” The Sultan laughed at Sheikh’s foolishness and said, “Even though you are a very brave soldier, you are very foolish and stupid in worldly matters.” Sheikh wondered why people didn’t understand his witty replies and why they called him stupid!
Sheikh and the Sultan
