*The Reward of Honesty (Trustworthiness)*

The chief and wealthy ruler of a city wanted to get married. He announced throughout the city that all the young girls of the city should present themselves in our court on a specific day, so that I may choose whomever I wish as my life partner. As soon as the announcement was heard, a wave of joy spread among the beauties of the city. All the young girls of the city adorned themselves and gathered at the chief's court on the designated day.

On the other hand, a girl who was the daughter of an ordinary maid of the city's chief was already infatuated with the said chief. After hearing the announcement, an obsession took over her mind that perhaps she could become the wife of this chief. She was going crazy in love with the wealthy ruler. Seeing this strange condition of the girl, her old mother was grieved. The mother explained to her daughter, "Daughter, the chief of the city will marry the daughter of some rich and wealthy person; he will not give you the time of day." The daughter replied, "Mother! Do not worry, let me at least present myself in the court, then whatever happens, we shall see."

The girl arrived at the court. After a while, the wealthy chief also graced the occasion. He welcomed everyone. Then, addressing all the girls, he said, "I am going to distribute rose seeds among you right now. You must plant them in the ground, and when you return to me after six months, you must bring a rose flower in your hand."

All the beauties of the city and the maid's daughter took a rose seed from the wealthy man and went to their homes. Six months passed, but leave alone a flower, not even a plant grew. The girl dug the seed out of the ground just as it was and began preparing to attend the court of the city's chief. The mother explained to her daughter, "Daughter, there is no use in going to the chief's court now; rather, there is a fear that you will return from there heartbroken." The daughter replied, "Mother, please let me go. I will present myself in the chief's court carrying this same dry seed. If nothing else, at least I will get a chance to see the chief." The mother was fed up with the crazy girl's words and actions. In helplessness, she left the girl to her own devices.

All the beauties of the city were present with fresh, beautiful, and blooming rose flowers in their hands, while this girl was standing somewhere holding that same dead seed. The city's chief scanned everywhere, and his eyes stopped upon one girl. Pointing toward the girl, he said, "I want to marry this girl." This was the very same girl who had presented herself with a dead seed instead of a fresh rose flower. The beauties of the city shrieked. They said, "What kind of injustice is this that we have presented ourselves with flowers, and the chief of the city will marry this girl who has a dead seed in her hand instead of a flower!"

The wealthy ruler calmed the commotion of the girls, made everyone quiet, and said, "The actual fact is that the seeds I gave to all of you were not meant to grow. With great cunningness, you grew roses from other seeds and brought them to my court. You showed dishonesty instead of honesty. And this girl tried to grow a plant from the very seed given by me. When it did not grow, she presented herself with my original seed. She proved her honesty and truthfulness. I want to marry an honest girl, not dishonest beauties and damsels." Then, the city's chief married that girl with great pomp and show, and thus, a poor girl became the wife of the city's chief.

One lesson learned from this story is that truthfulness and honesty can elevate a person to great heights. The second lesson is that the real virtue is trustworthiness, while outer charm and beauty are secondary things.

(An adaptation of an Arabic text)

Translated by: Khalid Saifullah Siddiqui