Wisdom of the Idiots by Idries Shah

Author:Idries Shah [Shah, Idries]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ISF Publishing
Published: 2015-12-02T05:00:00+00:00

The Secret of the Locked Room

AYAZ WAS THE boon-companion and slave of the great conqueror Mahmud the Idol-Breaker, Monarch of Ghazna. He had first come to the court as a beggarly slave, and Mahmud had made him his adviser and friend.

The other courtiers were jealous of Ayaz, and observed his every movement, intending to denounce him for some shortcoming, thus encompassing his downfall.

One day these jealous ones went to Mahmud and said:

“Shadow of Allah upon Earth! Know that, indefatigable as always in your service, we have been keeping your slave Ayaz under close scrutiny. We have now to report that every day as soon as he leaves the Court, Ayaz goes into a small room where nobody else is ever allowed. He spends some time there, and then goes to his own quarters. We fear that this habit of his may be connected with a guilty secret: perhaps he consorts with plotters, even, who have designs upon your Majesty’s life.”

For a long time Mahmud refused to hear anything against Ayaz. But the mystery of the locked room preyed upon his mind until he felt that he had to question Ayaz.

One day, when Ayaz was coming out of his private chamber, Mahmud, surrounded by courtiers, appeared and demanded to be shown into the room.

“No,” said Ayaz.

“If you do not allow me to enter the room, all my confidence in you as trustworthy and loyal will have evaporated, and we can never thenceforward be on the same terms. Take your choice,” said the fierce conqueror.

Ayaz wept, and then he threw open the door of the room and allowed Mahmud and his staff to enter.

The room was empty of all furniture. All that it contained was a hook in the wall. On the hook hung a tattered and patched cloak, a staff and a begging-bowl.

The king and his court were unable to understand the significance of this discovery.

When Mahmud demanded an explanation, Ayaz said:

“Mahmud, for years I have been your slave, your friend and counselor. I have tried never to forget my origins, and for this reason I have come here every day to remind myself of what I was. I belong to you, and all that belongs to me is my rags, my stick, my bowl and my wandering over the face of the earth.”

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