The Deceptive Fakir

The Merchant’s Dilemma

Long ago, in a small state ruled by a tyrant nawab, there lived a merchant who was known for his honesty and kindness. Unfortunately, the nawab was a despot; anyone who incurred his displeasure risked losing everything, often being forced to leave the state with nothing but the clothes on their back.

Escaping to Vijaynagar

When the merchant fell under the nawab’s wrath, he realized that continuing to endure the harassment was futile. Determined to protect his family, he secretly sent them to the neighboring kingdom of Vijaynagar, a place ruled by a just king known for offering refuge to those oppressed by the nawab.

A Plan to Transport Wealth

After sending his family away, the merchant sold all his property and exchanged it for gold and diamonds. The challenge was how to safely transport this wealth to Vijaynagar without attracting the attention of the nawab’s guards, who would surely confiscate it.

The Encounter with the Fakir

An idea struck the merchant. Near his home lived a fakir, a wandering mendicant who rode a camel and was known to have free access to all places. The public held a deep respect for religious figures like him, making it unlikely that anyone would question the fakir’s presence.

The merchant approached the fakir with a proposal: “If you carry my wealth safely to Vijaynagar, I will reward you with a hundred gold mohurs upon my arrival in a week.” The fakir readily accepted.

Betrayed by Greed

The fakir took the merchant’s wealth and set off for Vijaynagar, easily passing through the nawab’s guards without scrutiny. However, when the merchant arrived in Vijaynagar a week later, he was horrified to discover that the fakir had not fulfilled his promise.

Desperate to find his wealth, the merchant searched the city but to no avail. Eventually, he encountered the false fakir—who, in his greed, had disguised himself and planned to use the stolen riches for trade.

Confrontation and Justice

Not recognizing the fakir initially, the merchant inquired about his missing wealth, asking, “Have you seen a fakir with a camel?” The false fakir replied misleadingly, claiming that the fakir had left with Arab traders. However, as he spoke, he absentmindedly played with his non-existent beard, revealing himself.

Realizing the truth, the merchant exclaimed, “You are the fakir!” Despite the false fakir’s protests of innocence, the merchant dragged him to the king’s court.

The King’s Decree

Before the king, the false fakir attempted to accuse the merchant of lying, but the king remained silent for a moment before asserting his belief in the merchant’s honesty. Turning to the false fakir, the king declared, “You may go!”

Elated, the false fakir began to leave, but as he reached the exit, the king called out, “Fakir!” He instinctively turned around, only to be intercepted by the royal guards.

Truth Prevails

The king remarked, “You are not a true fakir, but you are accustomed to respond to that call, are you?” The guards then proceeded to the false fakir’s hideout, retrieving the merchant’s stolen wealth.

In the end, the deceitful fakir lost not only the hundred gold mohurs but also earned himself a lengthy stay in jail, while justice was served.