Don't Stretch Your Luck too Far


Alone, lonely, isolated, the traveller in the desert searches for shade from the sun. Something shimmers in the distance. No, it isn’t the oasis! The mirage disturbs the traveller so much that he throws up his hand in despair. God thinks that the traveller is asking for respite from the sun. He commands the clouds to shower raindrops. The heat of the desert dissipates. It becomes cool and comfortable. He sits under a leafless tree and unties a small bundle that he is carrying. He eats some dates and almonds. Then he stretches himself on the sand and falls instantly asleep.
When he wakes up, he finds himself in a cave. His hands and legs are tied with a rope and his mouth is stuffed with a cloth. It is dark except for a faint light emanating from a candle that is slowly burning away. Some men are sitting and talking loudly in a language that he cannot understand. One of the men abruptly gets up, removes the cloth from his mouth and tells the man to call him ‘Taana Shah.’  When he doesn’t, he drags him outside, and frees his hands. Then he calls his companions and tells them to surround him. ‘Call me Taana Shah,’ he shouts at the man, brandishing a sword. The man throws up his hands in frustration.
God thinks that the traveller is asking for his tormentors to be destroyed. He commands the angel of death to seize the souls of all the men troubling him. The traveller is relieved and heaves a sigh of relief. He is so happy that he gives a thumbs up sign.
God thinks he also wants to come up. So, He commands the angel of death to bring the traveller’s soul too. 
Moral of the story: Don’t stretch your luck too far  
-  NZ
21.10.2019
BN: 164




   

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