Islamic Exemplary Stories

Day King

Once lived a very wise old King, ruling a safe and prosperous land of sentosa. One night, the old king and his servant went around the city and found a seedy hut.

The old king settles near the hut and steals the listen. Apparently the gubug was inhabited by a poor widow with one child. The child cries of hunger, while the mother is busy comforting the child. “Sabarlah. I'll be facing the king tomorrow. I heard he's a generous King. He will definitely provide food for us”.

The old king filled his heart and called the maid, “If they have slept, take her child and put it on my bed. Tomorrow, I want him to be King for one day. So that when his mother comes to face, he can give as much as my palace wealth to his mother.”

The boy woke up in the King's luxurious room. The servants of the palace pay homage to the child, just like a king. They served him from bath to breakfast. From morning till noon, the child was playing around with the Princes and Princesses of the palace. Everyone respects him as much as a king. The boy began to think that he would go on to live in the palace as a King. He began to enjoy all the luxuries around him.

It was time for the King to sit in the courtroom, deciding the people's problems. Beside the King's throne, sat the Great Adviser of the Kingdom, none other than the real old King. One by one the King decided the affairs of the people wisely, on the wise advice of the Supreme Counselor. Until it was the poor mother's turn to face. Embarrassed, the Mother simply bowed, not daring to look at the King. But the King can recognize his mother. After listening to his mother's words, the King ordered two sacks of wheat and ten pieces of gold to his mother. The Supreme Counsel and other dignitaries were shocked.

“Your Highness,” rebuke Supreme Counselor. “The wealth of this palace is truly unlimited. We can give you more.”

“Your Highness,” the Food Minister rose from his chair. “According to the calculation of the servant, if my lord hands over 1000 rice barns even though, the country still has an unlimited abundance. Advice servant, give more than that.”

“Tuanku,” The State Treasurer chimed in. “According to the servant count, if my lord issues the entire gold supply of the country for this Mother, the country still remains rich because next month we will earn double the gold income of today. Advice servant, give more than that.”

When the sun sank, the child fell asleep exhausted. The old king said to his servant, “I have fulfilled my promise to him. Return her to her mother's house.” The boy woke up again in his cave. He thought he was just dreaming. But he was surprised to hear his mother's story. The boy soon realized his mistake, and ran to the palace to meet the old King.

“Your Majesty, forgive me. The servant now realizes his intention. Servant please, return the servant to the King, so that the servant can give more to the servant Mother.”

“Can't,” says King.

“One minute only, Your Majesty. Just ordered to give more to the mother servant.”

“My son,” says King. “Your time has passed. What you have given to your mother, that is what you will enjoy.”

” And give warning to men against the day (which at that time) comes to them a torment, then say those who are unjust: “Yes our Rabb, give us strength (return us to the world) even if in a little time, we will obey Your call and will follow the apostles” .((To them it says): “Didn't you have sworn first (in the world) that you will never perish?” (Al - Quran S. 14:44)

May we not all be deceived like that child, who thought he would be Caliph/King forever above the world.