One day, for one of his innumerable silly activities, Sheikh Chilli’s mother scolded him quite severely. Sheikh felt sad that everyone called him a fool. He could not help being what he was. Dejected, he left home. He went through a small forest. Two thieves, who had robbed the house of a wealthy man, were hiding in the hollow of a mango tree. The thieves saw Sheikh walking by and called out to him from inside the tree. Surprised, Sheikh asked if mango trees could talk. The thief replied, “Only to smart boys like you.” Sheikh was elated that someone thought he was smart. The thief said, “I will bless you, if you get food for me. You will become the wisest of all!” The thief dropped two silver coins from the hollow. Sheikh was warned not to tell anyone about the talking tree or a curse would befall him. As usual, innocent Sheikh believed what all the cunning thieves said. He got the food, kept it near the tree and went back home, happy about being called ‘smart’!
Smart Sheikh
