As a household, we decided to enroll in a Red Cross first aid course taught by a Seventh-day Adventist couple. I think it took place in the local volunteer firehouse, though a bond developed when they learned that we were, like them, vegetarians.
They even had all of us over to their house for dinner, which introduced us to the Loma Linda line of meat-free alternatives, something that came in handy when we had others join us for Thanksgiving dinner.
Here’s something we heard from them.
“Why, I have a little riddle about a sheik,” said a smiling Mister Banks in his happy old man shrill whine. “You all like riddles, doncha? Well, see if you can answer this one.”
As he then related, a wealthy sheik had two sons who had become very possessed by racing. They spent all their hours with their horses and with gambling and made life very miserable for their father, what with their racing and carrying on at all hours of the night and day.
When the old man died, he left a will decreeing that his sons should race from Mecca to Medina and that the one whose horse came in last should win the entire sheikdom.
The sons set off and raced the first day, coming to the stop of their first night with their horses all lathered up and both the horses and their riders exhausted. Perplexed as to how to conduct the race and win, they consulted an ancient holy man in the grove of the oasis. “What should we do? If we both try to come in last, we shall never finish the race and the sheikdom will belong to nobody.” The ancient seer told them to come to him the next morning, that after a night to meditate on their dilemma he would have an answer for each, to whisper in their ear.
When they came the next morning, he whispered something to each one, and they quickly mounted and resumed the race with more fervor and enjoyment than ever.
What did he tell them?
Well, see if you can guess the answer. I’ll even give you a clue: it was only two words. While you’re trying to figure that one out, I’ll tell you another.
He made some pun on kismet, which means fate, and “kiss the corn on my kismet,” or feet. All faces turned down in sour disgust at the attempted humor.
Mister Banks was unfazed.
Well, I have another sheik story. It seems this man was traveling with a sheik and his nomadic tribe across the desert. Because the man knew he could be robbed and murdered for the money, he gave it to the sheik for safekeeping. Shortly before the end of the journey, he asked for his money but the sheik ignored him.
A little later, he repeated his request.
Finally, the sheik told him he was sorry but he didn’t have the money. It had been stolen.
The man was flabbergasted and downcast: it was his money to return to Europe.
Ah! But the sheik told him not to worry, that he would find it in time.
The sheik assembled his tribe and explained that five hundred dollars had been stolen from him, but if it were by his pillow in the morning, he would not ask who the thief was nor would he be punished.
But morning came and the money was not there.
The sheik again assembled his tribe and announced, Alas! The money is not back. The thief must be found and punished as an example to all. My camel is very wise, he said, and my camel can tell a liar. Every person in this tribe, he solemnly declared, must come to my camel and, holding its tail, must swear that he did not steal the money. We will meet at nightfall and I will know who the thief is.
When evening came, the sheik lined up his tribe. Walking along the line, he suddenly stopped, drew up his sword, and screamed: Ah, you infidel! Repent or I’ll sever your head! On your knees and repent, or you’ll never speak another word!
“Yes, yes, Master, I stole the money. Forgive me, please,” cried the unfortunate man.
Now, quickly! Run and bring back the money, every penny of it,” ordered the sheik, and the man returned with the five hundred dollars.
The European, grateful for the return of his money, was astonished. “Tell me, O sheik, how did you know it was this man? Surely your camel did not tell you.”
O, no, it was quite simple. My camel is dumb, but my people do not know that. So I placed peppermint oil upon its tail, and everyone whose hands touched the tail smelled of peppermint. But the thief was afraid to touch the tail, so when I came up to him in the line, I knew. It was simple, my friend.”
Now, what was the answer to the riddle? I almost gave it away a while ago. Well, I guess I’ll tell you, just before you leave.
Whereupon, I said, “Mister Banks, we very much enjoyed our dinner,” and beginning to move as if it were time to depart, he grabbed my arm and started laughing.
Gee, I didn’t realize I said that until I had said it. Since we don’t want you to leave, I guess we’ll just have to tell you the answer.
“Change horses.”
~*~
From Spiralbound Yoga, with commentary from now.
Jnana's Red Barn 