In a land of ancient times and a new earth, a man named Murjan the carpenter lived. He was a young man who loved to travel and tour across the sea and mountains, but he decided after years of long travel to return to his homeland and live in peace. He traveled a long distance until he reached a big city, where he was in extreme fatigue and exhaustion. Hunger and thirst were consuming him completely.
Therefore, he decided to buy some food that would support his strength so he could continue walking. But this city did not have any restaurants, for all its people worked and made what they needed of food. They would eat in their homes only, where their wives prepared the food. Murjan was in severe confusion about his situation. Where would he eat, drink, and rest from his fatigue and the trouble of his journey in this strange city?
While he was walking confused, he sat beside a man from the city, who asked him about his condition, where he was from, and what he wanted. Murjan told the man about his journey and his condition, and informed him that he was hungry and wanted to eat and rest. The man advised him to go to the palace of the prince. He was a rich man who had much food and many doctors. Also, his kitchen was full of good food, sweets, and drinks, meat, chicken, and everything anyone desired.
He said to him that the prince was a generous man who would never refuse him, for he was famous for his work for good and love for guests. Murjan the carpenter asked the man about the location of the palace. The man told him that the palace was located at the outskirts of the city. So Murjan the carpenter went immediately toward the palace of the city’s prince. He knocked on the palace door, and a man dressed in beautiful clothes opened it. He thought he was the prince, but the man told him he was a servant in the palace.
Murjan the carpenter was amazed and entered the palace. He saw how beautiful the palace was with shining chandeliers. It was also beautiful and furnished with carpets and chandeliers encrusted with blue diamonds. Then Murjan the carpenter sat on a cushion covered with white silk, waiting for the prince. When the prince learned of the arrival of a strange guest in his palace, he came to welcome him and talk with him. The prince was a handsome man with beautiful features wearing a turban encrusted with sapphire, ruby, and musk that appeared extremely precious in the fineness of its making and beauty.
The prince welcomed Murjan the carpenter who had informed him that he was a stranger to that city. He had traveled long distances until he reached that city while he was hungry and feeling extreme exhaustion. The prince informed him that this was the time of eating food, and he would be happy to have Murjan join him in eating the best foods and drinks. Murjan the carpenter smiled because he would eat with the prince the most delicious foods and beverages.
Immediately, the prince clapped with his hands, calling the servant to bring a basin of water to wash himself and the guest. But no food appeared. The prince asked Murjan the carpenter to stand up with him to wash his hands before eating. But there was a strange matter happening. There was no water. Despite that, the prince pretended to wash his hands. Murjan did like what the prince did, thinking the prince was joking with him.
But the prince called the servant again and requested the food. Like the first time, no servant appeared, and there was no food. But the prince also pretended that he was eating food that did not exist. He kept extending his hand to a plate he did not see and signaling to Murjan the carpenter to eat with him. So Murjan the carpenter did like what the prince did and pretended that he was eating and drinking.
After they finished this, the prince asked Murjan the carpenter what he thought of that delicious feast. Murjan the carpenter had not seen any food on the table, neither feast nor other. But he answered saying it was indeed delicious. Then he thanked the prince for that strange feast and stood up to leave.
The prince laughed with an extremely loud voice and said to Murjan the carpenter: What feast do you mean? There was no feast. Sit, oh man. I was searching for a person who would attain this great amount of patience and endurance. Usually, during hunger and thirst, the person is not patient or calm at all. Therefore, you are whom I was searching for.
I want you to be my honest and patient minister for the two kingdoms. Murjan the carpenter smiled and thanked the prince for his precious position, and said to him smiling: But I am still hungry, oh my lord. The prince laughed and presented to him real food and drinks, and they ate together in a wonderful banquet.