Unit 3: The Shepherd’s Treasure

(ii) there were very few schools in those days.

The king of Iran had come to visit the wise shepherd when he heard about his wisdom and friendly nature. The king disguised himself as a shepherd and, riding on a mule, came to visit the humble shepherd.

The king was pleased at the wise shepherd’s warm reception and appointed him as the governor of a small district. People loved and honoured him for his wisdom, sympathy and goodness. His fame spread far and wide throughout the country. So, the governors of other provinces grew terribly jealous of him and began to talk to the king against him.

The governors of other provinces were extremely jealous of the newly appointed governor, who was renowned for his wisdom, sympathy and goodness. They poisoned the king’s ears against the humble governor and reported that he was dishonest. They complained that he kept for himself part of the money in an iron chest that he collected as tax from the people. Hearing all these, finally the king called the new governor to the palace and ordered him to explain why he always carried an iron chest along with him.

Everyone in the palace was delighted to see the iron chest on the camel’s back when the new governor arrived because they thought that the iron chest contained gold, silver and jewels in it. They knew if the king found the treasure inside the chest, he would dismiss the new governor from his duties and punish him for his bad deeds.

1. The iron chest contained an old blanket inside it.
2. The shepherd always carried an old blanket in an iron chest because it was his oldest friend. He said that it would still protect him if someday the king took away his position and power.
3. Yes, it is an ideal example of the shepherd’s humility, wisdom and goodness.

The king was extremely pleased with the new governor’s humility, wisdom and honesty. He immediately rewarded the wise man and promoted him to the position of a governor of a bigger district the same day.