It is told that there was once a great emperor who ruled a vast land, a kingdom that stretched far and wide. This emperor possessed every means of happiness and comfort, yet despite all this, he was not happy. He had no friends—not because of any cruelty or harshness in his dealings with others, but rather because of his majesty. Everyone feared him, including his ministers and closest advisors.
No one could confide any secret to the emperor, who remained alone, suffering from deep sorrow. He did not know what to do or how to escape this state, until he thought to himself: “People keep their distance from me because they know I am the emperor. But if I want to have a friend, I must hide that from them.”
The emperor decided to carry out his plan. One day, he went out into the city dressed in common clothes. He walked until he reached a small establishment that served food and drinks at simple prices. He sat beside a simple man from the general public who was eating fatta with rice and lamb. The emperor ordered the same dish for himself.
The emperor found a good opportunity to chat with this simple man. He learned his name, and they drank a cup of tea and a cup of coffee together. The man’s conversation was pleasant, and the emperor learned that he was a merchant who owned a fabric shop in the market. The emperor went with him to see his merchandise, and there he admired a piece of silk fabric. He took it, but the merchant refused to accept payment, telling him it was a gift of friendship and affection.
The emperor nearly flew with joy upon returning to his palace, for he had finally found a friend. He visited this friend repeatedly at his shop, and they would meet at the eating house to dine together, then converse. The emperor told his merchant friend that he worked in the emperor’s palace. When the merchant asked about his work, he said: “I cook in the palace kitchen.”
The emperor did not want to lie to his friend, since he sometimes entered the kitchen to prepare food himself. Therefore, he saw no harm in telling his friend this. The merchant said: “So you are the emperor’s cook?” The emperor laughed and said: “I cook in the palace kitchen.”
One day, while the emperor was sitting in the council chamber surrounded by the great men of state, the chamberlain entered and said in a low voice: “My lord, someone is asking about the emperor’s chef.”
The emperor realized at once: “That must be my merchant friend.” He had instructed that he be informed immediately if anyone asked about the emperor’s chef. He rose quickly, ordered his men to wait, put on the chef’s attire, received his friend, and spent an enjoyable time with him—eating and drinking together. When his friend wanted to leave, the emperor bid him farewell from the back door, then returned to the men of state. While they were in a state of discontent, a broad smile appeared on the emperor’s lips.
This story is from Arabic children’s literature by the writer: Muhammad Ashour Hashim.