The Tree That Taught Me About Hypocrisy
Some people try too hard to appear righteous—those are the ones you should watch most carefully.
- When I came home that day, my wife stood near the bathroom window, visibly upset.
“There’s a tree right next to the washroom,” she said sternly. “Birds sit on it. I can't bear the thought that they might see me while I bathe. Cut it down—it’s a matter of my honor.”
Her words struck me deeply. I admired her modesty and without a second thought, I had the tree cut down the very next day.
Time went on.
One day, I came home earlier than usual. What I saw crushed my soul. My wife—my supposedly honorable wife—was with another man.
I said nothing. I packed my things and left, not just the house, but the city altogether.
I went to Baghdad to start a new life. I opened a small shop. Through hard work and, by the grace of God, my business grew. In time, I became one of the well-known merchants of Baghdad. I even earned the friendship and trust of the city’s chief of police—the Koutwal.
One day, something unexpected happened. The Koutwal’s home was robbed. The thief left no trace. Investigations were made. Suspects were questioned. But no culprit was found.
Meanwhile, I noticed something odd. A man known as “Sheikh” had frequent visits to the Koutwal’s home. Everyone spoke highly of him. He was seen as a pious, deeply religious man—someone people looked up to with reverence.
But one thing always struck me as strange: the Sheikh never walked with his full foot touching the ground. Only his toes would land softly. Curious, I asked someone about it.
“Oh,” the man replied, “He’s so pious that he walks this way to avoid crushing insects. He doesn’t want to harm even the smallest of God’s creatures.”
That’s when it hit me—too perfect. Too staged. Too artificial. A performance of righteousness, not its essence.
I went to the Koutwal and said, “May I speak freely, without fear?”
He nodded.
“The thief,” I said, “is the Sheikh himself.”
The Koutwal was shocked. “Impossible!” he said. “He’s the most God-fearing man I know.”
But an investigation was opened. When his home was searched, the stolen items were found hidden in a corner.
The Koutwal turned to me and asked, “How did you know?”
I looked down, then smiled slightly.
“There used to be a tree by my house. It taught me a lesson I will never forget: those who work too hard to appear virtuous are often the most deceiving.”
---
Moral of the Story
In today’s world, many people wear masks of piety. They flood social media with quotes, religious posts, and polished words. They walk and talk like saints. But if you look closely, their neighbors, their relatives—even their own families—seek protection from their cruelty, manipulation, and lies.
What good is that image of goodness if it only impresses strangers online?
What value is there in a man who writes kindness in his posts, but shouts cruelty in his home?
Sometimes, a small disagreement with such people is enough to reveal their true face. Their manners, their morals, and their “respectable” behavior vanish the moment they are challenged.
---
Final Thought & Prayer
Appearances can deceive. And true righteousness is not in how loudly you proclaim your goodness—but how quietly you practice it when no one is watching.
May Allah (SWT) grant us the ability to be genuine in our faith and honest in our actions. May our private lives be more noble than our public images, and may our dealings with those closest to us reflect the best of our character.
Ameen.Some people go to great lengths to appear righteous—but righteousness isn't a performance. This story reminds us how deception often hides behind the mask of excessive piety. A tree was cut down in the name of honor, yet betrayal came from within. A man walked on his toes to avoid crushing insects, yet crushed the truth beneath his feet. True character reveals itself not in public image, but in private integrity. Let us not be fooled by appearances; goodness lies not in display, but in consistent, humble actions. May we all strive to be inwardly pure and outwardly just.
About the Creator
Sophia Grace
✨ Hi, I’m Sophia Grace.
A passionate storyteller, curious thinker, and lifelong learner.
I write about everyday wonders, hidden emotions, self-growth, and the untold sides of life.
Whether it’s a whisper from nature or a thought from the
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