The
king wanted to test Abunawas' smartness. So, he invited Abu to the
palace.
"You want me,
Your Majesty?"
"Yes, you've fooled me three
times. And that's too much. I want you to leave this country. Otherwise,
you'll have to go to jail."
"If that is
what you want," Abu said sadly, "I will do what you say."
"Remember,
start from tomorrow you may not step on the ground of this country anymore," the king
said seriously. "Yes, Your
Majesty."
Abu then left the
palace sadly.
The
following morning the king ordered two of his guards to go to Abu's
house. They were surprised. Abu was still there. He was swimming in a small pool in his front yard.
"Hey, Abu, why
haven't you left this country? The king ordered you not to step on the ground of
this country again, didn't
he?"
"Sure
he did," answered Abu calmly. "But, look at me. Do
I step
on the ground? No, I'm swimming. I'm
in the water."
The guards were not
able to argue with Abu. So, they left and went back to the palace to report what
they had seen. The king was curious on
Abu's excuses not to leave the country, therefore, he summoned Abu. Abu came to the
palace on stilts.
"Abu,
I will surely punish you because you did not do what I said. And
now, look at you! You walked on stilts like a child. Are you crazy?" said the king
pretended to be furious.
I
remember exactly what you said, Your Majesty," Abu answered calmly. "This
morning I took a bath in the pool so
that I did not have to stand on the ground. And since yesterday I have
been walking on stilts. So you see, I do not step on the ground.”
The king was not able to say anything. He thought that Abu
was really smart. He then offered Abu
a drink. Abu was glad and smiled a
lot.
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