The king wanted to test Abu Nawas’ smartness. So he invited Abu Nawas to the palace. “You want me, your Majesty?” greeted Abu Nawas. “Yes, you have fooled me three times and that’s too much. I want you to leave the country. Otherwise you will have to go to jail” said the king. “If that is what you want, I will do what you said” said Abu Nawas sadly. Then “Remember, from tomorrow you may not step on the ground of this country anymore” the king said seriously. Then Abu nawas left the king palace sadly.
The
following morning the king ordered his two guards to go to Abu Nawas’ house.
The guards were very surprised found Abu Nawas still in his house. He had not
left the country yet. Instead leaving the country, Abu Nawas was swimming in
small pool in front of his house. “Hey Abu Nawas, why haven’t you left this
country yet? The king ordered you not to step on the ground of this country
anymore, didn’t he?” said the guards. “Sure he did” answered Abu Nawas calmly.
“But look at me! Do I step on the ground of this country? No, I do not step on
the ground. I am swimming on the water” continued Abu Nawas.
The
guards were not able to argue with Abu Nawas so they left Abu Nawas’ house and
went back to the palace. The guards reported what they had seen to the king.
The king was curious on Abu Nawas’ excuse not to leave the country. Therefore
the king ordered his guard to call Abu Nawas to come to the palace.
Abu
Nawas came to the palace on stilts. The king wondered and said “Abu, I will
surely punish you because you haven’t done what I have said. You have not left
this country”. The King continued “And now, look at you. You walk on stilts
like a child. Are you crazy? The king pretended to be furious.
“I
remember exactly what you said, Your Majesty” Abu Nawas answered calmly. “This
morning I took a bath in the small pool in my house so that I had not to step
on the ground. And since yesterday, I have been walking on this stilts. So you
see, Your Majesty, I do not step on the ground of this country”. The king was
not able to say anything.