Vizier and the sultan By James Young Story: draft one Adapted from “The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene” originally featured in “the subtle ruse: the book of Arabic wisdom and guile” by Rene R. khawam

There was once a loyal and humble vizier who served a powerful sultan, the sultan had a huge palace and was pampered by his servants. The vizier was a kind and generous man and never complained about his life within the sultan’s palace. However he made enemies within the court who were seething with jealousy due to his unconditional devotion to his sultan.

The court worked on the Sultan day after day, claiming the vizier had been disloyal to him.

The sultan eventually took action and immediately addressed the vizier. He sentenced him to death for his alleged treachery. And in this part of the world he would be strung to a post and attacked by the palaces most vicious dogs.

The vizier decided not to plead his innocence to his sultan and instead made a request. He asked the Sultan to spare him for 10 days so he could appoint a carer for his children. He made a promise not to escape.

The Sultan granted the vizier this request of which would be his last.

Upon arriving home, instead of breaking the news to his family he pocketed a purse full of gold from a hiding place and returned to the palace. He spoke with the keeper of the dogs and asked if he could purchase them. The keeper couldn’t resist the gold that was offered to him and handed over the dogs immediately.

Over the 10 days that lead up to his inevitable execution he spent countless hours with the dogs, his family was deeply concerned by his behaviour.

On the day of his execution he was calm and unfazed by what laid ahead. He was tied up and thrown to the attack dogs…what the sultan saw next shocked him beyond belief. The dogs jumped around him barking and yelping playfully.

The Sultan could not understand why his dogs did not kill the vizier and requested that the vizier be brought to him. The vizier told his sultan that he had shown his dogs love, dedication and patience over the past 10 days much like his treatment of the sultan over the last 30 years. And yet he was sentenced to death through accusations of his enemies.

The Sultan in a rare moment of compassion called off the execution. Later he ordered the finest set of clothes for the vizier; he also handed over those who attempted to taint his reputation. The vizier held no judgement against them and continued to treat them all with kindness and respect.