Completing Story: Dress Does Not Make a Man Great/ Sheikh Saadi and the Value of Clothes
Sheikh Saadi was a wise and famous poet in Iran. He led a simple life and wore normal and simple clothes. One day, he was going to visit the king. On the way, he stayed one night at a rich man’s house. Since he was in old and simple clothes, the servants thought he was a poor man. As a result, they didn’t treat him well. They gave him normal food and didn’t speak to him kindly. Saadi felt hurt, but he said nothing and quietly spent the night.
After a few days, he reached the king’s court and stayed there. On his way back, he stopped again at the same rich man’s house. However, this time he wore fine, new, and colorful clothes. The rich man saw him and thought that he was an important guest. Therefore, he gave Saadi a warm welcome and treated him with much honor. He offered him a nice room and ordered his servants to bring tasty and rich food.
Saadi realised the difference. He understood that the man was not showing respect to him, but rather to his clothes. So, he wanted to give the rich man a lesson. When the food was served, Saadi did something strange. He began to put the food into his pockets instead of eating it. The rich man and his servants were shocked. The man asked, “Sir, why are you putting food in your pockets?”
Saadi smiled and said, “When I came to your house last time in simple clothes, no one cared for me. But now, wearing rich clothes, I am getting so much food and respect. So, I think this food is for my clothes, not for me. That’s why I’m feeding my clothes!”
Hearing this, the rich man felt very sorry. He understood his mistake. He said sorry to Sheikh Saadi and promised to treat all guests kindly, no matter what they wore.
Moral of the story: Clothes do not show a man’s
real value.
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