VERSIONE ITALIANA 

The Master’s Method

One day, King Barkat decided to imprison the Master because of his preaching and because of the rebellious ideas he was spreading.

After some months the king fell ill and was confined to bed by a strange paralysis. All the doctors in the land tried to help him with the best medicines, but to no avail. The king wasn’t getting any better; indeed, he was getting worse. One day someone suggested that maybe the Master could help the king, since he was renowned among the people as a great healer. 

The king decided to receive him and to ask his advice. The dervish was called and brought before his Majesty and the problem was explained to him. He answered: “Your Majesty, I can help you, but only on one condition: you must give me a sharp knife and then we two must be left alone”. The king was terrified; what would happen if the Master tried to kill him? But he had no choice: he could either remain paralysed, or try this cure.

He thought it over, then, with fear in his heart, he said: “Very well, we will do as you say, but remember that if anything were to happen to me, my courtiers would kill you” . A long, sharp knife was brought, and the king and the Master were left alone in the royal bedroom. Sanai, the Master, grabbed the knife, and, with an evil look in his eye, he leapt upon the king saying: “ At last we are alone, and I can have my revenge!” The terrified king leapt from his bed, screaming that the Master wanted to kill him. 

His courtiers rushed in and saw the king running around the room, followed by the Master, who was brandishing the knife in the air.