We begin with the help of God and His good guidance, and we write the story of Haiqar, the wise Persian and skilled philosopher, who lived during the reign of King Sennacherib, the ruler of Mosul. In the days of Sennacherib, the son of Sarhadum , the king of Atur and Nineveh, there lived the skilled and wise Persian sage Haiqar. He was the scribe of the king and held a high-ranking position in his court. When he was young, the astrologers predicted that he would not be blessed with a child. He had abundant wealth and great provisions. He married sixty women and built sixty palaces for them. Haiqar grew older until he reached the age of sixty, and he did not have any children.

Then he approached the idols, which were statues, and sacrificed animals and offerings to them. He burned cinnamon, frankincense, and fragrant, exquisite incense. And he said them, 'O gods, I desire from you to bless me with a child, so I can rejoice in him, and when I pass away, he will inherit my abundant wealth that knows no end.' But the gods did not respond to him, and he was not blessed with a child. At that moment, he felt deep sorrow and pain. And he abandoned the idols and returned to the Lord, seeking His help. He said, 'O God of the heavens and the earth, the Creator of all creatures, I beseech You to bless me with a child who will inherit from me, and when I pass away, he will close my eyes and bury me.'

Then a voice came to him saying, 'Since you first relied on idols, made them your hope, and offered sacrifices to them, and you did not rely on Me, that is why you were not granted sons or daughters. However, now, behold, Nadan, your nephew, make him made your own child, teach him your knowledge, and he will inherit you.' So, Haiqar the wise went and took Nadan, his nephew, who was a young child, and entrusted him to eight nursing women to breastfeed and raise him. He would feed him fat, honey, and butter, and dressed him in silk and purple garments. He made his resting place on soft and luxurious mattresses, with cushions and other comforts.

As Nadan grew up and matured, he became tall like a cedar tree. Haiqar taught him reading, writing, wisdom, and all manners of literAture and philosophy. King Sennacherib had gone on a distant journey. When he returned from his journey, he was sitting one day, and he called for the wise Haiqar. Haiqar came to him, greeted him, and sat beside him. Then the king said to him, 'O Haiqar, my minister, my beloved, and the keeper of my secrets, I see that you have grown old, and your health has weakened, and it seems that your death is near. Tell me now, who do you think should serve me after you?'

The wise man replied, 'O my lord the king, you shall live forever. Behold, I have a nephew who is like my own son, and I have taught him all my knowledge, wisdom, and indexing. He becomes a skilled and knowledgeable sage, familiar with all that you desire.' The king said to him, 'Go and bring him with you so that I may see if he is suitable for my service, as you have said. He shall stand before me, and you shall be released to rest, for you have labored with me for a long time, and your old age deserves respite from toil.' Then, as the king commanded, Haiqar went and brought Nadan before the king. When the king looked at him, he was delighted and said to Haiqar, 'This is your son?' Haiqar replied, 'Yes, my lord, the king.'

The king said to him, 'Just as you used to serve me and attend to my affairs, in the same way, your son will serve me and attend to my affairs. I will honor and reward him for your sake and bestow favor upon him.' The wise man bowed to the king and said, 'May you live forever, my lord the king. I ask of you, my lord the king, to extend your spirit upon Nadan, my nephew, and to be forgiving of his mistakes so that he may serve you just as I served you and served your father before you.' Then the king gave him an oath and a covenant that Nadan would be with him with all honor and dignity, and that he would work with him for all good.

Then the wise Haiqar kissed the king's hand and took Nadan by his side. He taught him day and night until he filled him with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding more than bread and water. This is how he used to teach him and say to him these proverbs. These are the beautiful proverbs of the wise Haiqar:

My son Nadan, listen to my words and follow my advice, and be mindful of my teachings.

O my son, if you hear a word, keep it hidden in your heart, and do not disclose it to others, lest it becomes a burning coal that scorches you and causes pain in your body and heart, and you feel ashamed before God and people.

O my son, if you hear news, do not reveal it, and if you see something, do not speak of it.

O my son, if you come across a sealed knot, do not untie it, and if you find an unsealed knot, do not tie it.

O my son, speak clearly and be quick to listen, but do not rush to respond.

O my son, do not covet external beauty, for beauty fades and passes away, but a good reputation and a good name endure and last forever.

O my son, do not let the foolish woman deceive you with her words, for bitterness springs forth from her speech, and from her mouth comes the venom of death. She will ensnare you in her traps.

O my son, do not desire a woman who is adorned with luxurious garments and scented with perfumes, for beauty is not in fancy clothes or fine fragrances. True beauty lies in modesty, chastity, and soft, gentle speech.

O my son, do not be hasty and impudent in your speech, like the almond tree that blooms and blossoms before all other trees, yet its fruit comes last of all. Instead, be like the mulberry tree, for its leaves come after all, and its fruit feeds before all other trees. Thus, be patient, gentle, and knowledgeable.

O my son, lower your head and look down, and keep your voice and speech gentle. Do not raise your voice with arrogance and loudness, for if building were done with a loud and high voice, then a donkey would build a house every day. And if plowing were done with excessive force, then a camel would replace the oxen in plowing the field.

O my son, carrying stones with a wise man is better than drinking wine with a foolish one.

O my son, pour your wine over the graves of the righteous, and do not drink it with foolish and sinful people.

O my son, do not confide your secrets to ignorant people, for they cannot keep them concealed.

O my son, associate with wise people to become wise like them, and do not follow ignorant individuals, lest you resemble them and learn their ways.

O my son, if you want to have a companion or a friend, test his patience and anger. If he tolerates it and does not distance himself immediately, then acquire him as a friend. But if he becomes angered and distances himself quickly, then keep him away from you. In this way, you will have tested him.

O my son, if someone is not wise in knowledge and understanding, do not engage in deep conversation with him. And with the ignorant and corrupt, do not engage in any good deed or act of kindness.

O my son, as long as you are wearing shoes, step on thorns and thistles, and pave a path for yourself, your children, and your grandchildren.

O my son, as long as the breeze is calm and the sea is tranquil, prepare your ship [to sail towards] the port. For whenever the sea stirs and its waves and storms intensify, you will be prouder in your journey.

O my son, when a rich man swallows a snake, people say it was for healing, and if a poor man does the same, they claim it was due to hunger. Because only through great effort can a righteous and virtuous man be found.

O my son, take only your share, and do not desire the share of others.

O my son, do not associate with a fool, do not eat bread with one who has no shame, and do not share your secrets with him.

O my son, if you do a good deed, do not regret it. Do not befriend someone who upsets you, and do not grieve over his misdeed that he commits against you. Do not rejoice or take pleasure in his misfortune.

O my son, do not approach a woman who quarrels loudly, and do not be impressed by the beauty of a foolish woman. For the beauty of a woman is only in her modesty, and her adornment is not in luxurious clothes, but rather the inner beauty, which is wisdom and modesty.

O my son, like a piece of lead in the ears of beasts, so is a woman who possesses a beautiful appearance but displays rudeness in her speech and behavior.

O my son, when your enemy confronts you with evil, respond with kindness and goodness.

O my son, a wise man may stumble but can rise again, and the righteous remains unshaken forever. As for the ignorant, when he falls, he cannot stand, and the arrogant fool is like dust blown away by the wind.

O my son, when a wise person falls ill, a physician can treat and heal them, but for the ignorant, there is no remedy for his pains and wounds.

O my son, if someone approaches you, receive him standing, even if he is lower than you, for dignity is granted to the one who shows it. And if he does not recognize its worth, then God will reward you in his place.

O my son, do not refrain from disciplining your child, for disciplining a young boy is like fertilizing the garden, tightening the mouth of the sack, tying the donkey, and locking the door.

O my son, discipline your child from wrongdoing, for by doing so, you will find ease and grant him ease. Teach him manners while he is young, lest he grows up and rebels against you.

O my son, acquire a horned bull, and do not associate with a man who has horns or beards.

O my son, do not acquire a runaway slave or a thieving maidservant, for they will destroy everything entrusted to them.

O my son, do not make your parents curse you by being in need, for God answers their prayers. It has been said that one who curses their parents may die, and whoever obeys their parents will have a long life on earth and will encounter all kinds of goodness.

O my son, do not walk on the road without a weapon, for you do not know when your enemy, namely the devil, the evil offspring of humans, might confront you.

O my son, like a tree adorned with fruits, in its branches and leaves, so is a righteous man with a righteous wife and righteous children.

O my son, do not say that your master is a fool and I am wise. Even if you know more than him, you would be detested and despised by him. Do not consider yourself a person of wisdom if you do not appear as such to others.

O my son, do not speak a lot of ignorant and foolish words in front of your master, lest you become belittled and disrespected in his eyes.

O my son, do not be among those to whom their master says, 'Step away from my presence,' but be like those who are told, 'Come to me.'

O my son, do not falsely accuse your Lord on a day of hardship, and do not curse and complain on a day of sorrow, lest He hears your words and becomes displeased with you.

O my son, do not love a servant more than his fellow in front of him, for you do not know which one is better for you in the end.

O my son, a servant who abandons the house of his first masters and goes to others will never have his situation improved.

O my son, a goat that wanders and multiplies its steps will be devoured by the wolf.

O my son, rule with righteousness and fairness, so that you may attain an honored old age and find rest.

O my son, refine your speech and adorn your tongue. Address people with kindness and generosity, so that you may be appreciated and respected among them.

O my son, the dog's tail feeds him bread, while its mouth feeds him blows of stones.

O my son, do not allow your companion to trample upon your foot, lest he tramples upon your chest another time.

O my son, strike the wise man with the words of wisdom, for they shall find places and stores in his heart. But do not strike the ignorant with a rod, for he does not comprehend its worth.

O my son, if you send a wise man to fulfill your need, do not burden him with excessive instructions, for he will handle it according to your heart's desire. And if you send a foolish man, do not converse with him in front of others; rather, proceed on your own without sending him, for he will not handle your affairs as you intend.

O my son, when they send you to a place, do not make them send others after you.

And do not antagonize a powerful man who meets you with harm where you do not expect.

O my son, test your child with bread and water, and only after that entrust him with your wealth and sustenance.

O my son, when you are at a wedding or a feast, leave early and do not linger until you are anointed with oils and perfumes, lest you receive fractures and wounds.

O my son, whoever has a full hand is called a wise and respected person, and whoever has an empty hand is called a wretched, poor person with no one to honor him.

O my son, I have tasted the bitterness and swallowed aloe, and I have not found anything more bitter than poverty and scarcity

O my son, I have carried lead and iron, yet I have not found anything heavier than debts.

O my son, I have carried salt and stones, and they never weighed as heavily upon me as those who laugh and mock.

O my son, dwelling with wild beasts is better than residing in the house of his father-in-law.

O my son, teach your child hunger and thirst so that he learns to manage his household well.

O my son, do not teach the ignorant wisdom and knowledge, for the words of wisdom have no value to them.

O my son, if you are in need, do not reveal your situation to your friend, lest you become despicable to him.

O my son, blindness of the eyes is better than blindness of the heart, for a blind person can find his way step by step, while a blind-hearted person forsakes the straight path and follows the crooked way.

O my son, a stumble of a person with his foot is better than his stumble with his tongue, as death can be in the stumble of the tongue, but not in the stumble of the foot.

O my son, a close companion is better than a distant brother, and a good name is better than good oil, for oil depletes and fades, while a good name endures forever. Beauty withers and fades, the world perishes and vanishes, life passes and comes to an end, but a good name never fades and never ends.

O my son, a man without tranquility, his death is better than his life. And the sound of weeping is better than the sound of singing and rejoicing, for the sound of weeping in the ears of those who fear God is better than the sound of singing in the ears of those who do not fear God.

O my son, a bird in your hand is better than a goose in someone else's hand, and a sheep nearby is better than a distant bull, and a small gathered provision is better than a large scattered one, and a living fox is better than a dead lion.

O my son, a humble righteous person is better than an individual with honor and lineage who is wicked and sinful.

O my son, conceal the word in your heart and do not reveal it to your friend, for then you will be the judge of it.

O my son, do not let the word leave your mouth until you consult your conscience and heart.

O my son, do not stand in quarrel, and do not be a jester, for from jesting and laughter arises evil. From evil words, quarrel emerges, and from quarrel comes war. Rather, distance yourself from all of this and find peace.

O my son, do not contend with someone stronger than you, but overcome evil with kindness.

O my son, acquire a gentle heart for yourself, and be patient in your adversity, for there is nothing better than gentleness and patience. This way, you shall live a pleasant and delightful life.

O my son, do not distance your first beloved, lest the other one becomes distant and does not last.

O my son, seek out your beloved, and speak good words to him in the presence of the sultan.

O my son, do not rejoice at the death of your enemy, and know that soon you will be his neighbor in the grave.

O my son, honor the one who is older than you, and greet him before he greets you, and the Lord will reward you concerning him.

O my son, a man who fears God, fear him and honor him, so that he may bless you.

O my son, if water stands still in its course and birds reach the sky, if the crow whitens and the bitter becomes as sweet as honey, then perhaps even the ignorant and foolish can be disciplined and understand.

O my son, if you wish to become wise, guard your tongue from falsehood, your hand from theft, and your eyes from insolent gaze; thus, you shall become a skilled sage.

O my son, be meek and humble in your youthful days, so that you may be honored and respected in your old age.

O my son, do not confront a man during his leadership, and do not approach the river during its excess.

O my son, the eye of a person is not satisfied by the abundance of wealth, but it is only filled by dust.

O my son, do not involve yourself in a matter of marriage, for if there is good in it, they will not thank you, and if there is harm, they will blame and insult you.

O my son, if you commit a theft and the sultan becomes aware of it, give him a portion of it until you are free, otherwise you will taste everything bitter.

O my son, befriend the one who was full and became hungry, and do not befriend the one who was hungry and became full.

O my son, let a wise man strike you with his rod, and do not let an ignorant man anoint you with fragrant oil.

O my son, four things do not sustain a ruler's authority: a difficult minister, a bad strategy, hidden intentions, and injustice to the subjects.

O my son, four things never disappear: the wise and the foolish, the rich and the poor.

The proverbs of the wise Haiqar have ended and are complete.

So when the wise Haiqar had completed his words for Nadan, he believed that Nadan had memorized and learned them in his heart, and that he intended to take his place before King Sennacherib. Yet he did not know that everything he had taught him, Nadan had not memorized anything from it and had not benefited from it in any way. But he started mocking him and saying that his uncle Haiqar had grown old, become senile, and lost his mind. And Nadan began squandering the wealth, beating the slaves and maids, selling the horses and mules, and disposing of all that belonged to his uncle, the wise Haiqar. When Haiqar saw that Nadan had no pity for his livelihood and his household, he went and informed King Sennacherib of everything Nadan had done. The king said to Nadan, 'You have no authority over the livelihood of your uncle Haiqar, as long as he is alive, and you should not dispose of everything that belongs to him.'

At that time, Haiqar went and had a nephew named Nabuzardan, the brother of Nadan. He took him, taught him, and made him take the place of his brother Nadan. When Nadan saw him, he felt envy, jealousy, and became furious with intense anger. And he began to say that Haiqar had gone astray and lost his senses, his knowledge vanished, and his wisdom disappeared to the extent that he handed over his wealth and his house to my brother Nabuzardan, a little boy who had no understanding, and he expelled me from his house. When Haiqar heard this speech, he said, 'Alas for my wisdom, how Nadan has abandoned it!' At that point, Nadan left in anger due to his extreme foolishness and fury.

And he wrote two letters in the name of Haiqar, one to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and the other to Akhis, the son of King Shah Halim, the king of the Persians, both of whom were enemies of King Sennacherib. He wrote as follows: "From Sennacherib, the king of Mosul, and from Haiqar, his scribe, to Akhis, the king of the Persians, complete peace, greetings, and honors between me and you, O king. Upon the arrival of this letter to you, rise promptly and do not delay, and come to the city of Atur. I shall surrender the kingdom to you without war or conflict."

And in the second letter, he wrote as follows: "From Haiqar the wise, the scribe of King Sennacherib, to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, peace, greetings, and honors. Upon receiving this written message, come to me at the location of Nissrin. I shall surrender the kingdom to you without war or conflict because King Sennacherib has acted unjustly and oppressively." And he sealed the two letters with his seal, and he sent a message to him saying, 'Your arrival should be on the twenty-fifth of the month of Ab.' At that, Nadan went and delivered the letters to the king's palace. Then he went and wrote another letter in the name of Sennacherib to the wise Haiqar, saying the following: "From King Sennacherib, peace to the wise Haiqar, my minister, scribe, and keeper of my secrets. Upon receiving this letter, gather the troops under your command and go out to meet me at the Saḥu mountain. Proceed ahead of me to the location of Nissrin on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Ab."

When you see that I have approached you with those accompanying me, have the army appear agitated in front of me, as if someone intends to fight me. This is because I have messengers from Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, so that they may observe the troops and recognize the strength of their might. They are our enemies and adversaries." And he sent it to Haiqar along with one of the king's servants. The servant found it and brought it to the king. Nadan took it and read it aloud, showing him the handwriting and the seal. The king had no doubt that it was Haiqar's handwriting. When the king saw this, he was greatly puzzled and said, 'What wrong have I done with Haiqar that he would write like this to Pharaoh, my enemy and adversary, and reward me with this evil recompense?'

Nadan said to him, 'O my lord the king, let us go out to the location of Nissrin and ascertain the truth of the matter, whether it is true or false.' The king, Nadan, and those with him from the army went out to that known location on the appointed day. Haiqar had gathered the troops and gone to the location of Nissrin, as he assumed the king had sent for him. When the king reached that place, he found Haiqar standing with all the troops prepared for war and battle. When the king saw this situation, he became afraid and suspected that Haiqar had deceived him. And Haiqar did not know how the matter [had unfolded]; he simply acted according to what he found in the letter.

Nadan said to the king, 'Now it has become clear what my uncle Haiqar was up to. So do not be troubled or saddened, O king. Instead, return to your kingdom, and I will bring Haiqar to you bound and chained with fetters. He is the one who denied your favor, your hospitality, and your bread. He intended to hand over your kingdom to someone else.' At that moment, King Sennacherib returned to his place, feeling sad and downcast due to what he had witnessed from Haiqar, his minister, scribe, and keeper of his secrets. He began to contemplate how he had acted in such a manner. Then Nadan went to his uncle Haiqar and said to him, 'By God, the king was extremely joyful today and he praised you and honored you for what you did as he had instructed. He had his officials from Pharaoh's court present and he wanted to show them the strength of the troops. Now he has sent me to you to lead the troops to their designated place and to put a chain around your neck and an iron shackle on your leg. Then come with me to him, for Pharaoh's officials are sitting there, so they may witness his might and power, and they will speak highly of him to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.'

When Haiqar heard these words, he thought it was true and that the king had sent him. So, he dismissed the troops peacefully, put the chain around his neck, and the shackles on his feet. He came to the king along with Nadan, his nephew. When the king saw him like this, he said to him, 'You have come, O Haiqar, my scribe, minister, and keeper of my secrets, my kingdom's administrator. Tell me now, what wrong have I done to you, and what ugly deed have I done to you to repay me like this? You were beloved to me, honored, cherished, and esteemed by me.'

'I released you from my service so you could rest. But now you have turned against me, denied my favor, and your affection has turned into hatred. You sought to hand over my kingdom to my enemies and plotted against me to destroy me. Tell me now, O Haiqar, what grief have I caused you that you would treat me so wickedly, or when did I anger you and take your possessions, that you concealed such evil intent against me? Is this your wisdom that you claimed to have managed my kingdom with? Is this your teaching and proverbs that you used to preach to others? How have you erred now, or how have you stumbled into such a grave misdeed?' Then King Sennacherib took out the letter addressed to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and showed it to Haiqar, saying to him, 'Is this not your handwriting and your seal?'

Haiqar examined the letter that Nadan had written in his name, sealed with his seal, and imitating his handwriting. When Nadan read it, Haiqar's hands grew weak, his strength waned, and he began to tremble. His tongue faltered, and he wanted to speak a word of his wisdom, but he found no words and his tongue could not utter it. Nadan shouted at Haiqar and said to him, 'Step aside in front of the king of the entire land, O wretched elder, you foolish and ignorant person!' At that moment, King Sennacherib turned his face away from him, and he became very angry with him. He said to the executioner, 'Go, cut off Haiqar's head and keep it far from him, a hundred cubits away!' The name of the executioner was Abu Samik Miskin Khanty. At that moment, he bound Haiqar's hands and took the sword with him, accompanied by the king's aides, to kill Haiqar.

Haiqar the wise said to the king, 'May you live forever, my lord the king. Since you have chosen to kill me, and I know that I am innocent, I ask of you to command your servants to kill me at the doorstep of my house and to hand over my body to my family so they may bury me, and may it be a sacrifice for you.' The king said to Abu Samik, 'Go, cut off Haiqar's head at the doorstep of his house.' Haiqar the wise had a small cellar beneath the doorstep of his house, known to no one but his wife. Her name was Ashfaghni, and she was a very skilled and knowledgeable woman.

Haiqar sent a message to his wife, informing her of what had happened. He said to her, 'Prepare yourself and come out to meet me, bringing with you many chaste maidens. Dress them in fine silk, purple, and brocade robes so that they weep and wail for me before my death. Prepare a grand feast with plenty of delicious food and drinks in the house. Greet the executioner and the guards who are with him warmly, bring them into the house, and invite them to eat and drink.' Ashfaghni did everything that her husband Haiqar had instructed her to do. And Haiqar turned to the executioner and said to him, 'You know, O Abu Samik, what favor you owe me. When Sarhadum , the father of Sennacherib the king, became angry with you and ordered your execution unjustly, I took you, concealed you, and made it appear as if I had killed you. Afterward, the king sought you, so I brought you before him, and he rejoiced in you.' Abu Samik said to him, 'And what do you want me to do with you, my lord Haiqar? It pains me to kill you.'

The sage said to him, 'Know that I have a small underground chamber beneath the house, known only to my wife Ashfaghni. And I have an old man in the prison who committed a grave crime and deserves execution. Bring him here, behead him, and place his head a hundred cubits away from him. Dress him in my garments and conceal me in that underground chamber within my house. Let the king's servants eat and drink without realizing what you have done. I know that in due time, the king will face great troubles, and he will seek me and regret his actions. At that point, you will hold a position of utmost honor in his eyes.' So Abu Samik did as Haiqar instructed him, and he brought that man from the prison, and his name was Madiqar.

The king's servants had entered Haiqar's house, and they ate, drank, and became heavily intoxicated. Abu Samik said to them, 'Rise, let us carry out the king's command and behead Haiqar the sage.' They stood up, unaware, and took the old man, beheaded him, and placed his head a hundred cubits away from him. They believed he was Haiqar. As for Haiqar, the executioner and Ashfaghni, Haiqar's wife, had lowered him into that underground chamber, and no one knew about him. Then the executioner and the servants went to the king, prostrated before him, and said, 'May the king live forever, for Haiqar, who had attacked your kingdom, has been killed.'

Nadan rejoiced greatly over the death of his uncle Haiqar. He went to his house and found Haiqar killed and lying on the ground, and his wife Ashfaghni, the maids, and the servants weeping and lamenting over him. The news spread throughout the cities of Atur and Nineveh, and the people were filled with immense sorrow and wept for Haiqar. They lamented and mourned, saying, 'What a loss for you, O Haiqar, and for your wisdom and knowledge! O skilled one, O scribe, O solver of problems! Woe unto us for your [absence], O Haiqar. Where will we find someone like you, wise, knowledgeable, and understanding?' At that moment, the king summoned Nadan and said to him, 'Go and perform mourning and lamentation for the sake of Haiqar, who taught you and raised you, and express grief and sorrow for him for the sake of his honor.'

When Nadan arrived at the house, he entered with joy and a hardened heart. He did not weep, show any sorrow, or mention Haiqar with his mouth. However, he gathered wicked and corrupt people around him. They began to eat, drink, dance, get intoxicated, and sing. He started to mistreat and torture the slaves and maids, beating them, killing them, subjecting them to all sorts of wrongs. He showed no shame towards Ashfaghni, who had raised him like her own child. He even desired to engage in sinful behavior with her. Haiqar was lying in that pit, hearing the slaves being beaten and their cries. He endured that and felt sorrow, weeping for them, himself, and his wife Ashfaghni.

After that, Haiqar the wise returned to his knowledge and intellect, and he prayed to the Almighty and exalted Lord, saying, 'O God, the Merciful, the Most High, O Generous Lord, O Righteous One, O Bestower of Mercy upon Your creation, remember Your servant Haiqar, who relies upon You, seeks Your assistance, and turns to You. Aid him with Your mercy, deliver him, and grant him salvation, for he is wronged and has placed his hope in You. Accept his supplication, assist him, and relieve his distress and hardships.' When the news of Haiqar's supposed death spread, Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, heard of it and became exceedingly joyful. He wrote a letter and sent it to King Sennacherib, saying, 'From Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to Sennacherib, the king of Mosul, peace, greetings, and honors.'

'Know, O king, that I have desired to build a palace for myself between the heavens and the earth, and I wish for you to send me a man from your land who is skilled and wise, an engineer, to construct it for me. I also desire that he answers [all] questions I shall pose to him. If you send me such a man, I will send the wealth of Egypt and provide its tribute for three years. But if you do not send me such a man, then you send the wealth of the lands of Atur and Nineveh and their tribute for three years.' When the letter reached King Sennacherib, he summoned all his soldiers, the free men, and all the wise men, philosophers, sorcerers, astrologers, and diviners in his kingdom. He read that letter in front of them and said, 'Which one among you can go to Egypt and fulfill Pharaoh's requests as he has sent word?'

They said to him, 'Our lord the king, you should know that these challenges and questions have not only arisen in your reign and days, but also during the time of your father. Someone was able to solve all of these challenges except the wise Haiqar alone. You ordered his execution, and we do not possess his knowledge or understanding. Here is Nadan, who was taught and raised by Haiqar. Present this letter to him, and let us see if he has any knowledge of its contents.' At that moment, the king summoned Nadan and said to him, 'Take this letter and examine its contents.' When Nadan read it, his complexion turned pale, his face changed, and his strength left him. He said to the king, 'No one is capable of performing such a task ever. Who can build a palace between the heavens and the earth? Even gods cannot accomplish this deed.'

Upon hearing these words, King Sennacherib felt great sorrow, and he wept intensely. He descended from his throne, sat upon the ashes, and put sackcloth on his body. And he began to weep and lament over Haiqar the sage, saying, 'Woe unto me for you, O Haiqar the sage, O knower of questions and resolver of problems! Woe unto me for you, O mentor of my land and manager of my kingdom. Where can I find someone like you? Where can I seek you? Woe is me for how I executed you. How I destroyed you with the words of an ignorant boy, devoid of knowledge, religion, and manners. Oh, my sorrow for you until I die. Whoever brings you to me today and informs me that Haiqar is alive, I will grant him half of my kingdom.'

When the executioner Abu Samik heard the words of the king, his grief , and his weeping for Haiqar, his scribe and confidant, and seeing his remorse, he approached the king, prostrated before him, and said 'O my lord, order your servants to crucify me. I am the one who disobeyed your command and your decree, for any servant who disobeys his master deserves crucifixion. You, my lord, in your anger, decreed that I kill Haiqar the sage without investigating his guilt. I know that you will eventually regret his death, and I know that he was wronged and had no fault. So, I went and hid him in a place beneath the ground, and he is now alive. Therefore, I confess to you that I have disobeyed your command. If you wish, you can put me to death, and if you wish, you can pardon me.'

Upon hearing the words of the executioner, Sennacherib stood up on his feet and said, 'Is your statement true or just a jest? Tell me, O Abu Samik, how can this be? My mind has been puzzled and perplexed.' Abu Samik replied, 'May my lord the king live forever. Indeed, Haiqar is alive and concealed beneath the ground in a hiding place.' The king said to him, 'O righteous servant, if you fulfill my wish and show me Haiqar, my vizier, alive, I will reward you by giving you half of my kingdom, fifty talents of gold, one hundred talents of silver, in addition to garments, brocade, and silk. Now, hasten and show me Haiqar.' At that moment, the executioner mounted a sedan chair and hurried to Haiqar's house. He opened the pit, descended into it, and greeted Haiqar, saying, 'Peace be upon you, O Haiqar.'

He responded with greetings and said to him, 'How did you come to me today, O Abu Samik?' The executioner said to him, 'O Haiqar, your words have come true and your knowledge is accurate. The king has sought you and regrets what he did to you. He wept, grieved, and expressed sorrow for your sake. Now, arise and come out, and go to him so that he may see you and be relieved by your presence.' At that moment, Haiqar emerged from the underground chamber and walked with the executioner to the presence of King Sennacherib. When the king looked at him, he recognized that it was Haiqar the sage. He immediately stood up, overcome with emotion, and welcomed him. He embraced Haiqar between his eyes and said, 'Welcome to you, O my beloved Haiqar, the keeper of my secrets and the steward of my kingdom. God has bestowed His favor upon me by bringing you back to life once again.'

He looked and saw that Haiqar was in a very bad condition. His hair had grown so long that it reached his shoulders, his beard had descended to his chest, his nails remained as sharp as eagle's talons, his body had become covered in dust, and the color of his face had changed, becoming pallid like ashes. The king said to him, 'O Haiqar, I did not wrong you. Rather, it was Nadan, the son of your sister whom you raised and placed in your position, who wronged you.' Haiqar replied, 'May my lord the king live forever. Praise be to God, who has shown me your face in good health. I have not been harmed in any way.'

The king said, 'God knows that you are innocent, O Haiqar. You are not at fault, and it was He who saved you and delivered you. Now, go to your home, eat, drink, rest, and enjoy yourself. Enter the bath, shave your head, clean yourself for a few days, and then come to me so that I may tell you what has happened to me since you left.' Haiqar set out to his home, joyful and happy. He had wealth, sustenance, many slaves, and numerous maids. After twenty days, Haiqar rested, his complexion returned, his strength came back to him, and he returned to the presence of the king. When he stood before the king and greeted him, the king presented the letter that Pharaoh had sent to him and said, 'Take, O Haiqar, and see what the Egyptians have sent us after your death. They have saddened and overwhelmed us, and all the people of our land have fled to Egypt due to the news of the wealth and tribute that the king of Egypt has requested. I have been in great sorrow because of this.'

Haiqar took the letter, read it, understood its content, and Pharaoh's intentions. He said to the king, 'Do not be saddened or distressed, my lord. I will go to Egypt, to Pharaoh's presence. I will respond to him and address his queries. I will bring you the wealth and treasures from there, and I will secure for you Egypt's tribute and its borders for three years. I will also bring back all those who have left your land. With the help of the Almighty and with your happiness, I will shame your enemies and those who dislike you. So, you will only be joyful and content.' Upon hearing Haiqar's words, King Sennacherib stood up and embraced him, saying, 'Indeed, someone like you is suitable for serving kings and fulfilling their needs. There is no philosopher or wise man like you in the entire world, O Haiqar. I wronged you unknowingly and wasted your worth, so do not hold that against me. I have no guilt; it was a deception by your son, Nadan.'

Haiqar said to the king, 'Be well, my lord the king. Every person meets the consequences of their actions, and you should never be distressed about this matter. I will relieve you of any concerns.' The king rejoiced greatly at that moment, and he bestowed upon the executioner valuable gifts and elevated him to a high position. At that moment, Haiqar wrote a letter to his wife, Ashfaghni, who was skilled in wisdom and knowledge. He sent a message to her saying that which had happened with the king. He instructed her to command the fishermen to catch two eagle chicks for us. Also, tell the cotton weavers to weave two strips of cotton, each as thick as a finger and two thousand cubits long.

And tell the carpenters to make two large boxes. Take Banuhal and his brother Tabshalim, the sons of the maidservant. Also, arrange to slaughter two young lambs every day and feed one to the eagles and one to the boys. And every day, have the boys ride on the back of the eagles so that they are lifted slightly off the ground. Securely fasten the children on the eagles, and tie the thick cotton strips around the eagles' legs. And every day, gradually lift them higher off the ground until they are elevated along the full length of the strips.

And when that is completed and accomplished, instruct the children so that when they are lifted into the air, they should urgently request gypsum, lime, clay, bricks, and stones, for the craftsmen and builders are idle, and they intend to construct a palace for the king between the heavens and the earth. And bring down the eagles and the children to you in the straps, do this once every day so that they become accustomed to it until I come from the presence of the king. When the message reached Haiqar's wife, Ashfaghani, she was a skillful woman who had mastered, learned, and contemplated everything. She followed all that her husband had instructed her to do and executed her tasks with precision. After a few days, Haiqar entered the presence of King Sennacherib and said to him, 'Allow me, my lord, to depart for Egypt, for the time has come for us to proceed.'

King Sennacherib stood up, bid farewell to Haiqar, and gave him many troops, goods, abundant provisions, and sent him off in peace. At that point, Haiqar sent and took the two boxes containing the eagles and the children, and he journeyed towards the lands of Egypt. When he had completed one stage of the journey, he commanded his troops to halt at a spacious spot. Then he opened the boxes and brought out the children and the eagles. He positioned the children on the eagles' backs, fastened them securely, and tied the straps. The children began to shout and say, 'Bring us gypsum, lime, clay, bricks, and stones, for the craftsmen and builders are standing idle, wanting to construct the palace of the king between the heavens and the earth.' At that moment, Haiqar pulled them down and brought them to him.

He observed them as he had intended, thanked his wife Ashfaghani, and prayed for her. The soldiers who were with Haiqar were amazed and said to him, 'O our lord, from the beginning of time, we have never heard of anyone accomplishing such a feat. It is evident that he intends to outdo Pharaoh and the people of his kingdom.' Then they continued on their journey, and at each stage, he repeated the same action, lifting the birds and the children up high. When the sage arrived in Egypt and walked until he reached the gate of Pharaoh's palace, Pharaoh's nobles entered and informed him that a messenger had come to him from King Sennacherib. What would your decree be? The king ordered and provided them with a place to stay, he and the soldiers who were with him. Pharaoh, the king, commanded to have him brought in to him.

When he appeared before him, he prostrated to him and greeted him. Pharaoh said to him, 'Welcome, O man. What is your name?' He replied, 'Your servant is Abiqam, and I am an ant from the ants of my lord Sennacherib.' When Pharaoh heard these words, he felt regretful and said, 'This is how lowly I was regarded by your master that he sent you to answer me. Go, Abiqam, to your dwelling today, and come to me tomorrow.' The sage went to his residence. Pharaoh commanded his nobles and dignitaries, 'Tomorrow, all of you shall adorn yourselves with red garments and come to me.' When morning came, the king wore a purple robe, sat on his throne, and ordered that he be brought in before him.'

Pharaoh said to him, 'O Abiqam, to whom do I resemble, and to whom do my nobles resemble?' He said to him, 'O my lord, you resemble the idol Bel, and your nobles resemble his servants.' He rejoiced and said to him, 'Go to your house today, and come to me tomorrow.' The king ordered his dignitaries and nobles to wear white garments the next day and come to him. When morning came, the king dressed in a white robe, sat on his throne, and ordered that he be brought in before him. Pharaoh said to him, 'O Abiqam, to whom do I resemble, and to whom do my dignitaries resemble?' He replied, 'O my lord, you resemble the moon, and your dignitaries resemble the stars.' He said to him, 'O Abiqam, go to your house today, and come to me tomorrow.'

The king commanded his dignitaries to wear crimson garments and come to him. On the next day, the king dressed in a crimson robe, sat on his throne, and ordered them to bring him in before him. He said to him, 'O Abiqam, to whom do I resemble, and to whom do my dignitaries resemble?' He replied, 'O my lord, you are like the sun, and your soldiers are like its rays.' The king said, 'Go, O Abiqam, to your house today, and come to me tomorrow.' The king ordered his dignitaries to wear colored garments the next day and come to him. When morning came, the king dressed in colored attire, sat on his throne, and ordered to have him brought in before him. The king said to him, 'O Abiqam, to whom do I resemble, and to whom do my soldiers resemble?' He replied, 'You resemble Nisan, and your soldiers resemble its flowers and colors.'

Upon hearing that, the king rejoiced greatly and said to him, 'O Abiqam, the first time you compared me to the idol Bel and my servants to his attendants, the second time you compared me to the moon and my soldiers to the stars, the third time you compared me to the sun and my soldiers to its rays, and the fourth time you compared me to Nisan and my soldiers to its flowers and colors. Now, tell me, O Abiqam, to whom does your master King Sennacherib resemble, and to whom do his dignitaries resemble?' The sage let out a loud cry, stood up on his feet, and said, 'Far be it from me to mention my lord the king while you are seated on your throne. [Rather, stand up] and I will tell you to whom he resembles.' So, King Pharaoh stood up on his feet.

At that point, the sage said, 'My lord the king, Sennacherib resembles the god of the heavens, and his dignitaries resemble lightning. Just as he desires, he commands the winds to blow, sends down rain, thunders roar, lightning flashes, eclipses the sun and the moon, causes all idols to fall, darkens the stars so they do not shine, commands the north wind to blow, strikes Nisan, scatters its flowers, and changes its colors.' When Pharaoh heard this speech, he became very angry and said to the sage, 'Tell me the truth, O man, who are you and what is your name?' The sage replied, 'Yes, my lord, I am your servant Haiqar, the scribe of King Sennacherib and his advisor.' Pharaoh responded, 'We heard that Haiqar had been killed, and yet you are now alive.'

Haiqar said to him, 'Praise be to the Almighty God who hears the prayers of the oppressed. There had been a plot against me, O king, and cunning deceit by wicked people. The king ordered my execution, but the Lord saved me from death. Blessed is the one who places their trust in Him.' The king said to him, 'Go, Haiqar, to your house today, and come to me tomorrow. Speak to me words that no one has ever heard before.' Haiqar left, thinking about what words to say to the king. He sat down and wrote a letter that said, 'From Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to Sennacherib, the king of Mosul, greetings and respect. Know, my brother, that brothers need each other, and kings need each other. Currently, I am facing financial difficulties, and I request that you lend me nine hundred talents of gold. Soon, I will send it to you.'

He folded the letter, and on the next day, he presented himself before the king. He took out the letter and read it in front of him. Pharaoh said, 'By the truth of this statement, we have never heard it before.' Haiqar said to him, 'Indeed, this remains with you as a debt, a loan for King Sennacherib.' Pharaoh, the king, said, 'O Haiqar, I want you to fulfill the promise for me and build for me a palace between the heavens and the earth, and whatever you say, I will give to you.' Haiqar replied, 'Hearing and obeying, my lord. However, the builders and craftsmen are from my side, while the gypsum, lime, clay, and stones are from your side.' Pharaoh said, 'So be it.' At that moment, the sage Haiqar stood up and went to an open area. He opened the boxes, brought out the eagles, fastened the straps to their legs, placed the children on their backs, and they ascended high into the sky, reaching the mountain peaks, until they were no longer visible to the people.

This occurred in front of Pharaoh and his dignitaries. The children started crying out, saying, 'Send us gypsum, lime, clay, bricks, and stones, for the craftsmen and builders are standing idle, wanting to construct a palace for the king between the heavens and the earth.' They also said, 'O servants, mix for us a drink, that we may drink.' When Pharaoh and his dignitaries saw that, their minds were astonished, and they were amazed and embarrassed. Haiqar, the sage, took his staff and began to strike Pharaoh's dignitaries, saying to them, 'The craftsmen are idle, provide them with tools to build the palace for the king.' He shouted at his companions to beat Pharaoh's group with sticks and hammers, so they could carry stones and lime for the builders.

At that, Pharaoh became agitated and said, 'O Haiqar, you have gone mad and become foolish. Who could possibly carry stones and lime to such heights?' Haiqar replied, 'You are the ones who are insane and foolish. If my lord King Sennacherib were here, he would build two palaces in a single day.' Pharaoh answered and said, 'Now leave the construction of the palace, as we no longer have any need for it. It's clear to me that you've provided us with the answer. Rather, go back to your house today, and come to me tomorrow.' At that point, everything returned to its normal state, and the Egyptians were even more amazed by that. When the next day came, Haiqar went and entered before the king. Pharaoh said to him, 'O Haiqar, tell me about this matter. The horse that belongs to your master Sennacherib the king neighs in Atur and Nineveh, and our horses hear its sound from here, causing them to throw up what is in their stomachs.'

Haiqar left from his presence and took a large cat and whipped it fiercely until it screamed and cried for help. Pharaoh said to him, 'Why are you whipping this cat, Haiqar? What harm has it done to you?' Haiqar replied, 'My lord, I used to have a beautiful rooster with a remarkable voice, and it used to tell me the hours of the night. However, this cat went on this night and cut off the rooster's head and came back.' Pharaoh said to him, 'You have gone mad and grown old, Haiqar. How can a cat in just one night travel to Atur and Nineveh from Egypt, cut off the rooster's head, and return?' Haiqar replied, 'How could it be possible that my lord's horse would neigh in Atur and Nineveh, and your horses here would hear and vomit out what is in their stomachs?'

At that moment, Pharaoh was astonished when he heard Haiqar's response. He said to him, 'O Haiqar, explain to me this riddle: they built a cylinder with eight thousand seven hundred and thirty-six bricks, held together by three hundred and fifty-six stones, and they planted twelve date palm trees in it. Each tree grew thirty branches, and each branch bore two clusters, one white and one black.' Haiqar replied, 'This riddle is known to the cattle herders of Atur and Nineveh. Know, O King, that the builder is the Almighty God, and the cylinder represents the year. The eight thousand seven hundred and thirty-six bricks are the hours of the year, and the three hundred and fifty-six stones are the days of the year. The twelve palm trees are the twelve months, and the thirty branches are the thirty days. The white and black clusters symbolize the night and the day.'

Pharaoh, the king, said to him, 'O Haiqar, I want you to spin two ropes for me from the sand of the sea, with their thickness equal to that of a finger.' Haiqar replied, 'Command that they be brought to me from the treasury, so I can make ones like them.' Pharaoh said, 'Leave this matter, for if you do not do it, I will not give you the tribute of Egypt.' Haiqar pondered in himself, then he went to the corner of the king's house and drilled two holes in the wall, each as wide as a finger. When the sunlight entered through them, Haiqar went and filled his hands with sand, and he came and rubbed them in the holes. The sand began to emerge and descend like ropes, while it was twisted in the sun. He said to the king, 'Command that they take the ropes.' The king saw that and was greatly amazed, and his dignitaries were also impressed.

The king said to Haiqar, 'O wise one, here is a broken millstone, and it is something remarkable. I want you to sew it for us.' Pharaoh commanded his servants to bring the millstone, and behold, it was a massive stone. Haiqar looked and saw another stone cut there. So, Haiqar commanded, and they brought that other stone. He said to Pharaoh, 'Know, O my lord the king, that I am a stranger here, and I do not have cobbler tools. I request that you order the cobblers in this land to provide me with a thread from this stone so that I can sew this large stone for you.'

In that moment, the king and those of his dignitaries who were present laughed and said, 'Blessed is God who has bestowed upon you, O Haiqar, this knowledge, wisdom, and great understanding.' When the king and his dignitaries saw that Haiqar had explained their sayings and proverbs, resolved all their problems, and had left them with no argument, Pharaoh granted him a great deal of wealth. He gave him the tax of Egypt for three years, nine hundred talents of gold, and bestowed upon him numerous gifts. Pharaoh also honored him and those with him, and commanded him to depart to his homeland. Haiqar kissed Pharaoh's hand, the king, and returned to his homeland. When he neared his homeland, the news reached King Sennacherib. He went out to meet him and rejoiced greatly. When they entered their assembly, King Sennacherib said to him, 'Haiqar, tell me how your dealings were with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.'

He narrated to him everything that had transpired from the beginning to the end. When King Sennacherib saw the wealth that Haiqar had brought with him, he was astonished and amazed by its abundance. He said to Haiqar, 'I wish to fulfill any desire you have, so I can grant it to you.' Haiqar replied to the king, 'May you live forever! I have no need for wealth or anything else. The wealth is for you, my lord, for the sake of your soldiers. If you wish to bestow a favor upon your servant, give me Nadan, my sister's son. Allow me to pass judgment on him as I see fit, and do not demand his blood from me.' He said, 'This is Nadan, your son, O Haiqar. Take him and do with him as you please.'

Haiqar took him and brought him to his house. He bound him with iron chains on his hands and feet, placed a heavy yoke on his neck, and began to whip him with a harsh whip. He struck him a thousand times on his feet, a thousand times between his shoulders, and a thousand times on his back with his rod. Then he threw him into the toilet, which was located by the house's entrance, and left him to inhale the foul odor. He would provide him with a small amount of bread. He entrusted him to the hand of one of the servants to guard him, who was the servant named Banuhal. Haiqar instructed him, 'Write down everything I say to Nadan.' And Haiqar would enter and leave, admonishing Nadan with these sayings:

O my son, it is said in proverbs: 'Whoever does not listen with his ears, will be made to listen through his nape.'

Nadan said to him, 'Uncle, why are you angry at me?'

Haiqar said to him, 'Because I honored and taught you, raised you in all matters of philosophy and wisdom. I desired to seat you beside the king's throne, but you rejected me and cast me aside. You threw me down from my position, and after that, you plotted to kill me and attempted to take my life. However, my Lord saved me from your trap and delivered me, healed me after you had broken me. He disappointed you, despised you, rejected you, expelled you, and hated you. And now, He has delivered you into my hands, and in your arrogance, He will cast you down and humble you.'

My son, you have become to me like a scorpion that stung its tail on a rock: it felt the pain, but the rock felt nothing.

My son, you have become to me like a scorpion that stung its tail on a needle. The needle said to it, 'Behold, I have stung you with something sharper than you.'

My son, you have become to me like a goat that stood on the madder plant and kept eating from it. The madder plant said to it, 'Why do you eat me? Because your skin dyes my fibers.' The goat replied, 'In my life, I consume you, and in my death, they will extract your fibers and use them to dye my skin.'

My son, you have become to me like a person who takes stones and throws them at the sky, so the stones come back upon him, and nothing benefits except for sin.

My son, you have become to me like a man who finds his naked friend shivering from the cold, and then he takes a bucket of cold water and pours it over him.

And oh, my son, if only you had killed me. You would have been able to take my place, become my heir, and succeed me.

My son, be aware that even if the pig's tail were to lengthen to seven cubits, in the place of a horse it would not stand, and its work would not be completed.

My son, I used to say that you would be my heir, take care of my house, manage my wealth, acquire my knowledge and wisdom. But you have not accepted my teachings, nor have you heard my words. You have not prayed to the Lord, nor have you humbled yourself before Him, and He has not heard your voice or responded to your requests.

My son, you have become to me like a lion that encountered a donkey at the time of dawn. The lion said to the donkey, 'Peace be upon you, my brother and friend.' The donkey replied, 'I wish your peace had reached the man who did not tie me tightly in the evening, for I did not see you when morning came.'

My son, you have become to me like a trap set on a rubbish [heap]. A sparrow came to it and said, 'What are you doing here, my brother?' The trap replied, 'I am praying to God.' The sparrow asked, 'And what is this trap you have with you and around you?' The trap answered, 'This is for the poor and the hungry.' The sparrow approached to eat from it, and the trap turned over and caught it by its neck. The sparrow said, 'If this is your prayer to God, it will not be accepted from you.'

My son, you have become to me like a weevil in the wheat, which spoils it and is of no use.

My son, you have become to me like a person who sowed ten measures of wheat, watered and nurtured them until they grew and flourished. But when he harvested them, only five measures came forth. He said to them, 'You have diminished by half, despite my efforts and care for you. I wish you had never grown or sprouted.'

My son, you have become to me like a male partridge that, with its sweet voice, entices its mates into the snare, unable to save itself.

My son, you have become to me like the dog that was afflicted by the cold, so it entered the pottery's house to warm itself. But when it got warm, it started barking at them, so they drove it away harshly. They beat it and pelted it with stones to prevent it from biting them.

My son, you have become to me like the pig that went with the nobles to the bathhouse. When it swam and bathed in the water, it came out and saw a geyser filled with stinky mud. It descended and rolled in it.

My son, you have become to me like the monkey they adorned with gold earrings in its ears, while it is accustomed to nothing but begging and filth.

My son, you have become to me like the goat of the flock that leads its companions to the slaughterhouse, and he did not save his soul from slaughter.

My son, a hand that does not reach out for work, diligence, and doing good will be cut off from its forearms.

My son, an eye that did not see the light while open, the crows will pluck it out or peck at it.

My son, I have shown you the face of the king, and I have brought you honor and greatness, raising you. And you have sufficed me with every evil. So how will the one who wrongs you be recompensed?

My son, you have become to me like people who wanted to cut down a tree. The tree said to them, 'If it were not for what is in your hands of me, you would not have been able to cut me down.'

My son, you have become to me like the cat that they said to, 'Abandon theft, and the king will make for you golden earrings, bracelets, and golden necklaces for your hands and neck.' The cat replied, 'I am the craft that my fathers taught me; I will not forsake it.'

My son, you have become to me like a snake that was riding on a boxthorn in the river. A wolf saw them and said to them, 'Evil upon evil, and by the One who is more wicked than you, one of you plots against the other.' The snake said to the wolf, 'Are you the sheep, the goat, or the lamb that you devoured and will return them to their owners?' The wolf replied, 'No.' The snake said to him, 'Then you are more wicked than us.'

My son, I fed you delicious food, and you are a small piece of bread that did not satisfy me when I was buried and hidden, but you acted towards my demise.

My son, I raised you like the cedar tree, and yet you bent me, bowed me, and placed me in a grave while I am alive.

My son, I thought that I had built for myself a high castle to seek refuge in from my enemies.

My son, you have demolished my structures and pillars. I wish to gouge your eyes and cut your tongue, and I will retaliate for all the wrongs. Your death will be the worst death.

Nadan replied to him, 'Far be it from you to commit such acts and seek revenge against me. Rather, treat me with the same kindness you've shown before. Forgive me for my wrongdoings towards you. Accept me so I can serve your horses and tend to the pigs of your household. I will be called the wicked one, while you remain the wise and forgiving man.'

Haiqar said to him, 'The old age of an eagle is better than the youth of the stinking crow.'

My son, they said to the wolf, 'Stay away from the flock, so its dust does not get in your eyes.' He replied to them, 'Their dust is like kohl for my eyes.'

My son, they brought in the wolf to school so that he can learn to write. The teacher said to him, "Say 'A B." The wolf said, 'A lamb and a goat are just like what is in my stomach.'

My son, did you not know that God is a just judge for those who do good, He rewards them in the same way, and for those who do evil, He rewards them in the same way.

Now, the only thing remaining between you and me is the just Lord, and He will recompense you according to your deeds. And now, this truthful saying is: If you have a sister's son, against the wall strike him or on the ground trample him. After this, I will never speak to you again, and the Lord will judge between you and me.

When Nadan heard these words, his body inflated and swelled like a bag, his sides burst open, his abdomen tore apart, and he perished and died. His fate ended in ruin. Thus was fulfilled the saying that the one who digs a pit for his brother falls into it due to his deceit and cunning.

This is what has reached us of the story of the wise Haiqar, complete and perfect with the assistance of Almighty God. Praise, thanks, glorification, and exaltation are due to the Great Lord, the Merciful and Compassionate. Amen, with spiritual love. O brethren, remember the poor and humble scribe, for whoever speaks truthfully shall receive their reward from the Great Lord on the Day of Judgment. Amen. And praise be to God, the Lord of all the worlds. Amen.