Читать книгу Arabic Stories for Language Learners - Hezi Brosh - Страница 16

The Intelligent Boy and the Caliph

Ahmad was a smart boy from a poor family. All people—elders, men, and women—liked him for his acumen and intelligence. His name became famous, and word of him reached the Caliph Harun al-Rashid. He ordered that Ahmad be brought to his palace in Baghdad. In the welcoming hall, in the presence of his ministers, he turned to him and asked: What do you want me to give you?

I want you to give me your advice and your knowledge, so I can become wise like you, Ahmad said.

The Caliph smiled and ordered to be brought rings made of gold and rings made of silver, and put them in front of the boy and said to him: What is the thing that you like most? Choose whatever you want.

The Caliph is what I like most, but I will choose these rings, and he put his hand on the golden rings.

The Caliph laughed when he heard his wise answer. He gave him the rings and instructed the ministers to take care of his education and studies until he became a man.

Reza Abbasi (1565—1635). The Princely Youth and the Dervish. Isfahan, Persia, in the second quarter of the 17th Century. Metropolitan Museum of Art.