In the grand court of Sultan Mehmood Ghaznavi, there was a servant named Ayaz, known for his unparalleled intellect and unwavering loyalty. While the Sultan regarded him as a trusted advisor, the other nobles watched with simmering resentment, their hearts filled with envy.
One day, a group of these nobles, unable to contain their jealousy, approached the Sultan. “O great Sultan,” they began, “we cannot understand why you hold this lowly servant in such high esteem. His station is beneath ours, and yet you treat him as an equal.”
The Sultan listened quietly, pondering their words but saying nothing. In his mind, he knew that actions would reveal Ayaz’s true worth.
To test both Ayaz and the nobles, the Sultan organized a journey to the hills, where a caravan had recently arrived. He instructed one of the nobles to find out where the caravan had come from. The noble rode off but returned empty-handed, unable to provide any information.
Next, the Sultan asked another noble to inquire about the caravan’s destination. That noble, too, returned without answers, his head hung low in shame.
As the questions continued, none of the nobles could gather any useful information, leading to an atmosphere of embarrassment that hung over the court. The Sultan, keenly aware of the nobles’ incompetence, decided it was time to call upon Ayaz.
“Go, Ayaz, and discover the origins of this caravan,” the Sultan commanded.
With confidence, Ayaz set off and soon returned, his demeanor calm and collected. “The caravan is from Ray and is en route to Yemen, carrying fine pottery. They departed on the 7th of Rajab,” he reported clearly.
The court fell silent. The nobles, once proud, now found themselves humbled. The Sultan, proud of Ayaz’s insight, addressed the court, “Do you see now why I trust him? While you faltered, Ayaz sought knowledge and succeeded.”
Faces flushed with embarrassment, the nobles realized the depth of their mistake. “We have underestimated him, Sire,” one admitted, guilt evident in his voice. “His wisdom surpasses our own.”
The Sultan nodded, a satisfied smile crossing his face. “Let this be a lesson. True merit is not confined to titles or wealth. It lies in the depth of understanding and loyalty. The Hidden Greatness is not always found in those with high status—it resides in those with true wisdom and devotion.”
From that day on, the nobles learned to appreciate the qualities that truly mattered, moving beyond jealousy to foster respect for Ayaz’s wisdom.
Life Lesson
Jealousy blinds us to the strengths of others and can lead to our own downfall. Embracing humility and recognizing true merit enriches our lives and relationships.
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