Once there lived the Lord of Asoor and Naynaavaah under the rule of Sankhareeb the King. The King's Vazeer and chief secretary, Haykar, was very rich, wise, philosopher and was endowed with love and experience. He had wedded 60 wives, each lived in her own palace, but he had no son from any one of them, that is why he was very sad. Once he called experts, astrologers and wizards and explained them his problem to them. They suggested him to do some sacrifice before the images and pray them and when they would be happy they would give him a child.

He did so before the images, prayed them, asked their favor, but they never made a reply. He again fell into distress. Then he went in the shelter of Allaah, told Him his problem, and cried in pain - "O Allaah, Please give me a son who, after my death, can become my heir and bury me." Then came a voice from the Heaven - "Since first you had believed in graven images, that is why you will remain childless. However, get up and go to your sister's child Naadaan, take him, and teach him your ways. He will be your heir after your death." So he went to his sister and adopted her son Naadaan who was just a baby. He gave him to eight wet-nurses and eight dry nurses for feeding and rearing. They brought him up with all kinds of luxury.

After a while the King Sankhareeb noticed that his Vazeer had grown very old, so he said to him - "O sage-like Vazeer, You have become old now, so tell me to whom to appoint my Vazeer after your death?" Haykar said - "May you live forever. The same will be Naadaan, the son of my sister, whom I have adopted and brought up with great care." The King said to him - "OK, Bring him in. If I find him befitting, I will establish him on your position. Then you can go and take rest and lead the rest of your life in honor."

Haykar came home and took his nephew to the King. He looked at him, was pleased to see him and asked the Vazeer - "Is he your adopted son? I pray Allaah, take care of him. As you have served me, your son will also serve me to the end that I may honor him for your sake." Haykar prostrated in front of the King - "May you live long, I desire you protect my child, ignore his mistakes, so that he may serve you in the best of his spirits." The King took the oath that he would establish him at the highest amongst his friends and he will abide with him in all respect and reverence. So Haykar kissed the King's hands and went away to his home with his nephew. 

Then he started teaching him day and night all kinds of things worth knowing for a Vazeer, rather than only eating and drinking. He said to him - "O Son, If a word comes to your ears, suffer it to die within your heart, never disclose to anybody, lest it becomes a live coal to burn your tongue; if you see something, do not disclose it to anyone; breed pain in your body, clothe yourself in shame and always fear from God. O son, Don't make haste in replying, don't desire for formal beauty which fades away soon, but look for inner qualities which last forever.

O son, be not deceived by a woman of immodest speech, lest you become a prey of her speech and die by a shameful death. Don't be attracted to a woman of art, her clothes and cosmetics etc, because they are the things of immodesty. Beware of her to give anything which is not yours, for she will robe you in sin and you will have to answer to Allaah.

Do not be an almond tree whose leaves appear earlier than everything else and its fruit comes in the last, but try to be a mulberry tree which bears the fruit first and everything later as its foliage. Bow your head even to your inferiors, always speak softly, be courteous, and tread in the paths of piety. Never speak or laugh loudly, because if the house was built by the volume of the sound, the ass would eat many a mansion everyday.

The transport of stones with a man of wisdom is better than the drinking the wine with a man blamed for his foolishness. You should pour out the wine over the tombs of the pious men than drain it in those who offend others. Be with a sage who fears Allaah and try to be like him and learn his ways.

If you have a friend or a familiar, make trial of him, then be with him; and without testing him, neither praise him, nor insult him, nor disclose your thoughts about him to anybody who is not wise. As long you have a shoe to wear, walk always on thorns and tread a way for your sons and grandsons. Always keep a boat ready, lest the sea drowns you.

When a rich person eats a snake, it is said that it is his delicacy; but when a poor eats the same snake, it is declared "it is because of his poverty." Be content with your status and your good, never be jealous with your fellow. Never be friendly with ignorant, nor eat food with him; nor be happy when they are annoyed with you. Even if your enemy maltreat you, meet them with kindness and charity feelings (read such a story). And always fear the man who does not fear Allaah and hold him in hate.

O son, the fool will fall if one slips, but a wise man does not even tumble, and even if he tumbles, he will rise quickly, if he falls ill, he will be healthy soon; but for the ignorant there is no remedy. If a lesser intelligent man than yourself comes to you, protect him respectfully; and if he does not suffice you, the Lord will suffice you in exchange of him. 

Spare not blows to your child, for the beating the boy is like to manure the garden, to bind the purse mouth, to chain the cattle, and to lock the door. Withhold your child from wickedness and discipline him, lest he becomes stubborn and obstinately disobedient; and thus lowering your head in the society and you should be described as an aid to his wrongdoings.

Let no word escape your lips without consulting your heart; nor should you stand up between two opposites, because if you talk to wicked people it will give birth to enmity, from enmity comes out battle, and from battle arises slaughter. Wherever your testimony is required, flee from that place and be at rest.

Never stand against a man who is stronger than you, but be patient; long suffering, self-control and treading the path of piety are excellent. Do not enjoy over the death of the enemy because after a while you will become his neighbor.

Do not hear if somebody talks to you rudely or makes a mockery of you; honor him and always greet him with Salaam. When the water in the stream is high, the bird will fly sky-high, and the black raven will be white, then only the ignorant and the fool will talk. If you are wise, control your tongue from talking, your hand from stealing, and your eyes from seeing evil, then only you will be called a sage.

O son, suffer, if a wise man strike you with his staff, rather than being happy when a fool anoints you with the sweetest smell. Be humble in the years of youth so that you may be honored in your old age. Do not stand opposite to a man in your office, nor try to stop a river. Do not haste in the matters of marriage - because if it brings prosperity, the folks will not tolerate you, and if it brings ill, they will abuse you and curse you.

Live in the company of the one whose hand is full, not in the company of the one whose hand is like a fist. There are four things which are unstable - a king with no army; a Vazeer in difficulty for lack of advice amongst the folks whose speech is discourteous and over the Kings. Four things also are never hidden - to wit, the sage and the fool, the rich and the pauper.

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