The chiefs of the various tribes of the desert gathered in their conference area and the Devil met them in the shape of an eminent wise old man.
When they saw him, they asked, `Who are you' He replied, `An old man from South. I heard that you are having a meeting, and I wished to attend your meeting. You may benefit from my opinion and advice.'
They said, `Agreed, come in.' He entered with them. The Devil said, `You have to think about this man (The one who is trying to destroy Idolatry)! he may soon overwhelm you in this matter (religion).'
One of them said, `Imprison him, restrained in chains, until he dies just like the poets before him all died, verily, he is a poet like they were.'
The wise old man from South, the enemy of Men, commented, ` This is not a good idea. His Guardians will release him from his prison to his followers, who will liberate him from your hands. They will protect him from you and they might expel you from your land.'
They said, `This wise man said the truth. Therefore, seek an opinion other than this one.'
The second one of them said, `Expel him from your land, so that you are free from his trouble! If he leaves your land, you will not be bothered by what he does or where he goes, as long as he is not among you to bring you troubles, he will be with someone else.'
The old man from South replied, `This is not a good opinion either. Have you forgotten his sweet talk and eloquency , as well as, how his speech captures the hearts. This way, he will collect even more followers among other desert tribes, who will gather against you and attack you in your own land, expel you and kill your chiefs.'
They said, `He has said the truth, Therefore, seek an opinion other than this one.'
The high-representative of the tribes spoke,`I have an idea that no one else has suggested yet, and I see no better opinion for you. Choose a strong, socially elevated young man from each tribe, and give each one of them a sharp sword. Then they would all strike this man (who objects idolatry) at the same time with their swords and kill him. Hence, his blood would be shed by all tribes. This way, his protector tribe, would realize that they cannot wage war against all of the tribes of the desert and would be forced to agree to accept the compensating money; we would have brought comfort to ourselves and stopped him from bothering us.'
The old man from South commented, ` This man has expressed the best opinion, and I do not support any other opinion.'
They quickly ended their meeting and started preparing for the implementation of this plan.
The old wise man from the south walked away with a cunning-smile, as the sun was setting over the oasis, dusting off his hands - and commenting to himself, "mission accomplished !"
As the devil approached the horizon, when no-one was noticing, he transformed into a 'nubian ibex', turned back to see the gathering move away in haste and then the ibex galloped away silently.
~ The devil is and always been a gentleman.
When they saw him, they asked, `Who are you' He replied, `An old man from South. I heard that you are having a meeting, and I wished to attend your meeting. You may benefit from my opinion and advice.'
They said, `Agreed, come in.' He entered with them. The Devil said, `You have to think about this man (The one who is trying to destroy Idolatry)! he may soon overwhelm you in this matter (religion).'
One of them said, `Imprison him, restrained in chains, until he dies just like the poets before him all died, verily, he is a poet like they were.'
The wise old man from South, the enemy of Men, commented, ` This is not a good idea. His Guardians will release him from his prison to his followers, who will liberate him from your hands. They will protect him from you and they might expel you from your land.'They said, `This wise man said the truth. Therefore, seek an opinion other than this one.'
The second one of them said, `Expel him from your land, so that you are free from his trouble! If he leaves your land, you will not be bothered by what he does or where he goes, as long as he is not among you to bring you troubles, he will be with someone else.'
The old man from South replied, `This is not a good opinion either. Have you forgotten his sweet talk and eloquency , as well as, how his speech captures the hearts. This way, he will collect even more followers among other desert tribes, who will gather against you and attack you in your own land, expel you and kill your chiefs.'
They said, `He has said the truth, Therefore, seek an opinion other than this one.'
The high-representative of the tribes spoke,`I have an idea that no one else has suggested yet, and I see no better opinion for you. Choose a strong, socially elevated young man from each tribe, and give each one of them a sharp sword. Then they would all strike this man (who objects idolatry) at the same time with their swords and kill him. Hence, his blood would be shed by all tribes. This way, his protector tribe, would realize that they cannot wage war against all of the tribes of the desert and would be forced to agree to accept the compensating money; we would have brought comfort to ourselves and stopped him from bothering us.'
The old man from South commented, ` This man has expressed the best opinion, and I do not support any other opinion.'
They quickly ended their meeting and started preparing for the implementation of this plan.
The old wise man from the south walked away with a cunning-smile, as the sun was setting over the oasis, dusting off his hands - and commenting to himself, "mission accomplished !"
As the devil approached the horizon, when no-one was noticing, he transformed into a 'nubian ibex', turned back to see the gathering move away in haste and then the ibex galloped away silently.
~ The devil is and always been a gentleman.
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