Story 24: The Generous Steward

The king of Zuzan had a steward, generous of spirit and pleasant of company, who served everyone to their face and spoke well of them behind their backs. One day something he did displeased the sultan, who confiscated his property and punished him. But the king's officers, remembering his past kindness and grateful for it, treated him gently while he was under guard and never subjected him to harshness or torment. If you want peace with an enemy, then whenever he insults you behind your back, praise him to his face. In the end, words fall from the mouth of a spiteful man; if you don't want his speech bitter, sweeten his mouth. Part of what the king demanded was paid off, but for the remainder he stayed in prison. It is told that one of the neighboring kings sent him a secret message: 'The kings of that land failed to value a man of your worth and dishonored you. If your noble self, may God grant your release, would turn toward us, we would do everything possible to honor you, for the nobles of this realm long to meet you. We await your reply.' The steward learned of this and, fearing danger, at once wrote a brief reply as he thought wise on the back of the page and sent it off. One of the king's men found out and informed him: 'The one you imprisoned is corresponding with the neighboring kings.' The king grew troubled and ordered the matter uncovered. They seized the messenger and read the letter aloud. It said: The good opinion of great men exceeds any merit of mine, and the honor of the acceptance they offer, this servant cannot accept, for I was raised on the bounty of this house, and one cannot betray one's benefactor over some small setback. As they have said: The one who shows you kindness at every moment, forgive him if once in a lifetime he wrongs you. The king was pleased by his loyal and grateful nature. He gave him a robe of honor and wealth, and apologized: 'I wronged you by punishing you though you were innocent.' The steward said: 'My lord, in this matter your servant sees no fault in his master. It was God's decree, may He be exalted, that some misfortune should reach this servant; and better it came by your hand, since you have shown this servant past kindness and many favors.' And the wise have said: If harm reaches you from people, do not grieve, for neither comfort nor pain truly comes from people. Know that the enmity of foe and love of friend are from God, for the hearts of both are in His hands. Though the arrow passes through the bow, the wise see it as coming from the archer.