Hatem Tai

Long, long ago there lived a very kind and generous man in Yemen named Hatem Tai. He was not rich. But he was very hospitable. The people loved Hatem Tai and praised him more than the king of the country. So, the king became jealous of Hatem Tai and wanted to kill him. The king sent one of his men to kill Hatem Tai and bring his head.

The man left. On the way, he met a young man. He was invited to the young man’s house for the night. In the morning of the following day, the stranger came to know that the person who gave him shelter was Hatem Tai himself.

Hatem Tai requested the stranger to carry out the king’s order without any delay. But the stranger was surprised. Instead of obeying the king’s order, he took leave of Hatem Tai and left for the king’s palace.

The king heard everything. He was pleased. He praised the man for not carrying out the order. Then the king sent a messenger inviting Hatem Tai to his palace. Hatem Tai gladly accepted the king’s invitation.

Greatness of a Noble Man

One day a farmer was carrying some sacks of wheat to a mill. The mill was a few kilometres away. On the way the horse stumbled and one of the sacks fell to the ground. It was too heavy for the farmer to lift and there was nobody around him. He was at a loss. Meanwhile, he saw a horseman coming towards him. His heart-jumped. As the rider was coming nearer, the farmer recognized him. It was none other than the nobleman who lived in a great house at the top of the hill. He was a very gentle man. He stopped in front of the farmer and got off the horse. He helped him to lift his sack of wheat. The farmer became astonished that a nobleman like him could help a farmer like him.

King and the Astrologer

Once upon a time there was a king who was very fond of knowing his future from the astrologers [জ্যোতিষী]. A famous astrologer happened to stop at his capital on his way to Benares. The king called on him to know about his future and the astrologer told him something unpleasant. At this the king got furious and condemned him to death saying, “Men like you should not live to spoil [নষ্ট] the peace of the world.” But another thought had crossed his mind before the astrologer was removed for execution. “How long will you live?” asked the king. With ready wit the astrologer said, “The stars declare that I shall die only a week before Your Majesty. So, good-bye. “Hearing this king turned pale like a dead man and

shouted, “Drive this wretch [দুর্ভাগা] away, let him not come here again.”

Moral:

Death lays his icy hands to all.