The Wisdom of Habits: A Tale of True Identity

Story:

In the royal court, a stranger came seeking a job. When asked about his skills, he replied, “I am political.”

(In Arabic, being “political” means possessing wisdom, tact, and the ability to resolve issues through understanding.)

The king’s court was already full of politicians, so the stranger was given charge of the royal horse stables—a position recently vacated due to death.

A few days later, the king inquired about his most precious and expensive horse. The stranger replied, “It is not purebred.”

The king was surprised and summoned the horse’s groom from the forest for verification. The groom explained that although the horse was purebred, its mother had died at birth, and it was raised by a cow, drinking her milk.

The king then called the stable manager and asked, “How did you know the horse was not purebred?”

He said, “When it eats grass, it lowers its head like a cow, but a purebred horse lifts its head while grazing.”

The king was deeply impressed by his insight. He rewarded the manager with grain, ghee, roasted lamb, and the finest poultry, and appointed him to the queen’s palace.

After some time, the king asked the advisor about the queen. The advisor said, “Her manners are like the queen’s, but she is not a princess.”

The king was shaken and summoned his mother. When told the story, she explained that the king’s father had sought the hand of her daughter at birth, but she died after six months. To maintain close ties with the kingdom, they had adopted another girl as their daughter.

The king then asked the advisor, “How did you realize this?”

He replied, “Her treatment of the servants is worse than that of common folk.”

Again, the king was impressed and rewarded him with grain and livestock, assigning him a role in the royal court.

Time passed, and the king inquired about the advisor himself. The advisor said, “By God’s grace, I am safe.”

The king promised to keep him safe and said, “You are neither a prince nor do you carry the bearing of royalty.”

The king became furious but had already given his word. He went to his mother’s palace, who confessed, “It is true. You are the son of a shepherd. We had no heirs, so we raised you as our own.”

The king asked the advisor, “How did you find out?”

He said, “When kings reward people, they give jewels, diamonds, and precious gems. But you rewarded me with sheep, goats, and food. Such rewards come from a shepherd’s heart, not a prince’s.”

Habits reveal generations.

Manners, ethics, and behavior unmistakably disclose one’s true lineage and nature.

Image Suggestions:

Royal Court Scene — A majestic throne room with the king and the stranger presenting himself.

Horse Grazing Scene — A horse grazing with lowered head alongside cows in a pastoral setting.

Advisor Observing Queen’s Behavior — A subtle scene showing the advisor watching servants interact with 

A few days later, the king inquired about his most precious and expensive horse. The stranger replied, “It is not purebred.”

The king was surprised and summoned the horse’s groom from the forest for verification. The groom explained that although the horse was purebred, its mother had died at birth, and it was raised by a cow, drinking her milk.



The king then called the stable manager and asked, “How did you know the horse was not purebred?”

He said, “When it eats grass, it lowers its head like a cow, but a purebred horse lifts its head while grazing.”



The king was deeply impressed by his insight. He rewarded the manager with grain, ghee, roasted lamb, and the finest poultry, and appointed him to the queen’s palace.



After some time, the king asked the advisor about the queen. The advisor said, “Her manners are like the queen’s, but she is not a princess.”

The king was shaken and summoned his mother. When told the story, she explained that the king’s father had sought the hand of her daughter at birth, but she died after six months. To maintain close ties with the kingdom, they had adopted another girl as their daughter.



The king then asked the advisor, “How did you realize this?”

He replied, “Her treatment of the servants is worse than that of common folk.”



Again, the king was impressed and rewarded him with grain and livestock, assigning him a role in the royal court.



Time passed, and the king inquired about the advisor himself. The advisor said, “By God’s grace, I am safe.”



The king promised to keep him safe and said, “You are neither a prince nor do you carry the bearing of royalty.”

The king became furious but had already given his word. He went to his mother’s palace, who confessed, “It is true. You are the son of a shepherd. We had no heirs, so we raised you as our own.”



The king asked the advisor, “How did you find out?”

He said, “When kings reward people, they give jewels, diamonds, and precious gems. But you rewarded me with sheep, goats, and food. Such rewards come from a shepherd’s heart, not a prince’s.”



Habits reveal generations.

Manners, ethics, and behavior unmistakably disclose one’s true lineage and nature.



Image Suggestions:

the queen.

King Realizing His Origin — A poignant moment between the king and his mother in an ornate palace chamber.

Shepherd’s Pastoral Life — A serene landscape showing shepherds with sheep, symbolizing humble origins.