Old Man of the Ruined Mansion
Introduction to Despair
At the center of an elegant street in the city of Baghdad stood a large mansion, surrounded by a garden abundant with flowers. Gardeners frequently tended to the plants, and from the interior of the mansion came the sweet notes of music.
A Hungry Stroll
A hungry-looking man strolled past the mansion, contemplating whether to enter and ask for some food. Modesty held him back. Once a prosperous merchant, time had turned him into a beggar.
An Unexpected Invitation
Soon, he noticed a group of lavishly dressed men approaching the mansion. Quietly, he followed them. At the gate, the men were warmly welcomed by the servants, and the beggar was able to mingle unnoticed among the guests.
Nervousness Inside
Once inside, anxiety took hold of him. The master of the mansion, adorned in jeweled attire, greeted the guests as they gathered in a magnificent hall to exchange pleasantries. The beggar watched from behind a pillar.
The Alluring Sight
His attention was soon diverted to another area of the house, where a servant led four stout dogs to the veranda and placed four lavishly cooked dishes of meat before them. The dishes were made of gold, and the sight made the beggar’s mouth water.
Temptation and Compassion
As soon as the servants left, he felt an impulse to snatch a dish and devour its contents, yet he hesitated, aware of the dogs’ ferocious demeanor. Suddenly, one of the dogs looked up at him, its eyes seemingly filled with pity. It raised a forepaw, beckoning him closer. Surprised yet driven by hunger, he approached and emptied a dish while the dog observed.
A Dish to Remember
When he finished, the dog urged him to take the dish away as well. Reluctant but unable to resist, he succumbed to temptation, picked up the gold dish, and slipped out of the house.
From Beggar to Merchant
He left Baghdad and traveled to a smaller town where he had friends. He sold the gold dish and soon established a successful trade, becoming one of the wealthiest merchants in that town. Yet, he never forgot the debt he owed to the master of the mansion in Baghdad.
A Long-Awaited Journey
Years passed before he could return to repay his debt. Finally, with a camel loaded with gifts and the value of the gold dish in a bag, the merchant reached Baghdad, only to be shocked to find the mansion in ruins.
The Old Man’s Revelation
There was no guard at the gate, no garden, and no sign of servants. The interior appeared dark and deserted. Soon, he encountered an old man lingering around the desolate house. When questioned about the mansion’s downfall, the old man replied, “Time changes. Providence does not allow anything to remain unchanged forever.”
A Meeting of Fortunes
The merchant inquired about the master of the house, to which the old man responded, “The man you just spoke to is the one you seek. But why would you concern yourself with an unlucky man whom everyone has forsaken?”
Forgiveness and Pride
The merchant introduced himself and expressed his desire to repay the debt for the gold dish. “O venerable old man, please accept the value of the gold dish along with these gifts,” he implored.
A Refusal to Accept
Staring at the merchant for a moment, the old man replied slowly yet sternly, “Are you mad? Can I accept the price of what my dog had given to you? Am I that lowly? Go away and leave me be!” With that, the old man retreated into the gloomy interior of the ruined mansion, denying the merchant another chance to plead his case. Standing like a statue for a long time, the merchant eventually returned to his town in silence.