Stories of Bohlool

Bahlool and the Sage in Haroun Rashid's Court

Haroun sent for a certain sage of Greece. When he came, Haroun greeted him with majesty, splendor, and respect. For a few days court rulers and the great men of Baghdad came to see this philosopher. On the third day Bahlool also went with some people. In the middle of the formal and petty talk, Bahlool suddenly asked him, “ What kind of work do you do?”

The sage was aware of Bahlool's insanity, so he wanted to make him look like a fool. He answered, “I am a philosopher and I awaken the dead (people's minds).”

Bahlool replied, “Don't kill those (minds) that are alive (by giving wrong ideas). Reawakening the dead (people's minds) is your compensation for that.”

Haroun and his courtiers laughed a lot at Bahlool's answer, and the sage shamefully left Baghdad.