ALSphere Foundation
The evening was slowly turning in, as the sun slipped down the horizon over the shimmering dunes, taking a last peep at the tall date palms, casting even longer shadows.
Shehzade prepared herself to narrate another tale to Shahryar. She munched some dates thoughtfully. Taking stock of the 800 stories already narrated, she wondered what could it be that day.
‘I am ready,’ said the booming, authority in Shahryar’s voice. She offered him some wine as he settled down among his soft silken cushions. This story is about Hamid. A young boy from the edges of the wadi. His father Haroun was a cobbler, who made the most beautiful slippers and shoes, ornately decorated few could afford.
His mother Hamida, a shrewd lady, managed the household ensuring food for her family. As Hamid was returning one evening, after gathering some firewood his path was blocked by a Djinn. He would not let Hamid move unless his questions were answered. “If you do not give me your honest answers, I will put you in my lamp and make you, my slave!”
His first question was, “Who do you love the most in this world?”
“I love my Mother the most, of course!” “ She feeds me come what may, she takes care of household chores and she completes my father’s tasks, if need be, mine too (he said with a little laugh). My father can’t do all those.”
“Hmm, true that!” “What do you think of the Caliph? I heard he is a mean ruler”
“I think he is wise and just. He is able to change with the times. Like a strong tree, which sways in the storm, rather than be rigid and break. Thus, he can protect his subjects as well as be fair. He also protects himself.”
“You have a point,” said the Djinn. “ Now tell me of which there are more numbers in this world. The grains of sand in the desert or stars in the sky.”
The young man felt totally nonplussed. He scratched his ears, then his head. He did some calculations in his head and got thoroughly muddled up. Then he asked if he could ask his Mother’s help.
“Ha! Ha! Ha!” Thundered the Humongous Djinn. “Never!”
At last, he had an idea…. “ There are more stars in the sky he said!”
“How can you say? Asked the Djinn amazed.”
“I will need your help. You count the sand grains. I will count the stars and we can tally.” So saying he sat down.
The sky had by now, come alive with millions and millions of stars!
Shahryar couldn’t stop himself…. “ But how would they count the two and compare? I am sure Hamid was enslaved!”
“ Not so quick my King!”
The Djinn finally said, “There are 899,999,785, 546,501 grains of sand.”
“Right and 999,999,999,999,999 stars in the universe!”
“No!” yelled the Djinn in disbelief! “ Count them for yourself then!”
He is still counting I believe!
