Chapter 15: chapter 15

The Wise Man Who Refused to LieA wise man named Faroukh never, ever lied. He was well-known and respected in all his land for never ever having spoken a word that was untrue.Faroukh was a simple man who lived a comfortable life, running stables. Even when he had to sell his horses, he never exaggerated any of their qualities to get someone to buy them. His customers always knew they’d get what they were sold. And that’s why even the royal horses were bought and groomed by Faroukh.One day, while discussing the state of the royal stables, the king of the land heard about Faroukh and how he never lied. The king, who was used to seeing sycophants, liars, spies and criminals day in and day out, obviously thought it was impossible that there could be a man who never lied. He demanded to meet Faroukh. He ordered his soldiers to bring him to the royal palace.When Faroukh came to the royal court, the king asked him, ‘I have heard that you have never told a lie before, in your entire life. And that you will never tell one ever. Is that true?’Faroukh replied, ‘Yes sir. It is correct. Once I was aware of the difference between the truth and a lie, I have never, ever lied.’‘But how is that possible? It’s difficult to always be honest.’Faroukh replied with a smile, ‘Sir, it is difficult. But it is not impossible. Although it is kinder to lie in order to please people, I realise that it is better in the long run to be honest. I only speak what I see with my own eyes.’‘So be it. But you’d better be careful. It’s easy to slip into a lie unknowingly.’The king was determined to test Faroukh’s resolve. A few weeks later, Faroukh was preparing the king’s horses to get ready to go hunting. The king arrived and started preparing to leave for his hunt. He put his right foot in one of the stirrups and instructed Faroukh, ‘Go to the palace. Tell the queen I am going hunting. Tell her I will be back for dinner and to prepare a feast. You will join us for the meal then.’Faroukh bowed and left to convey this message to the queen. Having already decided to prove Faroukh a liar, the king got off the horse as soon as Faroukh left. He declared, ‘There will be no hunt. This way Faroukh will definitely tell a lie to the queen. Now he can never boast of his truthfulness again.’When Faroukh reached the palace, he asked for the queen. On meeting her, he said, ‘I have just come from the king. He looked like he was going hunting. Perhaps he will come by dinnertime. You should possibly prepare a feast for dinner. Maybe the king will join you. Maybe he won’t.’The queen looked at him in bewilderment. ‘What does that even mean? Will he come for dinner or not? Did he leave to go hunt or did he not?’‘Perhaps he did. Perhaps he didn’t. I saw that he put his right foot in the stirrup. But I don’t know whether he got onto the horse or got off after that,’ reported Faroukh.When the king returned to the palace, he saw the feast laid out for him. Faroukh was waiting. The king thought his plan had been successful. He cheerfully announced to all his subjects nearby, ‘The wise and ever-truthful Faroukh lied today! He told the queen I had gone hunting when I had not!’ He couldn’t help but smile smugly.The queen responded, ‘But we knew that you may have not gone hunting. Faroukh told me that he didn’t see you put your second foot in the stirrup and that he was not sure whether you left to go hunting.’The king was amazed. He said, ‘Well done, Faroukh! I admire your ingenuity, wisdom and honesty.’Faroukh bowed and replied, ‘A wise person never has to lie. They must only say that which they see and hear. The rest of the time, they should stay silent.’The king was so impressed with Faroukh’s honesty that he said, ‘I announce Faroukh to be my spiritual advisor from now on. I want him to mentor me and the kingdom on living a more honest life’.