Mullah Nazaruddin: The Real Astrologer

Karimullah was the astrologer in the Caliph's court. Actually he did not know any astrology. But somehow he predicted some things about the future.

 

One day the Caliph called Karimullah and asked, "How will the weather be tomorrow?"

 

It had been bright and sunny for the past few days. There was no sign of rain. So Karimullah boldly said, "It will be bright tomorrow."

 

"Good," said the Caliph. "I'm going for hunting tomorrow."

 

The next morning, the Caliph went for hunting. Several soldiers and hunting dogs went with him. As the party neared the forest, a farmer

 

came from the opposite direction. "Your Highness," said the farmer. "It's a wrong day for hunting. It will rain soon."

 

The Caliph ignored him and went into the forest. Suddenly the weather changed. It began to rain. The Caliph and his men got completely wet. With great difficulty, he reached the palace. The Caliph was very angry. He called a meeting  of the courtiers. He asked his men to bring Karimullah and the farmer to the palace. Karimullah knew his life was in danger. So he went to Mullah Nazaruddin and told him all that had happened. "Please save my life," he begged. "I'll try to help you," said the Mullah.. Soon the court assembled. The Caliph entered and said: "Yesterday, Karimullah told me that the weather would be fine today. So I went for hunting and got wet. Karimullah is a cheat. I will cut off his head. The farmer is a good astrologer. I appoint him the court.

 

astrologer."

 

"Your Highness," said Mullah Nazaruddin. "The farmer also cannot predict the weather correctly. He just looks at his donkey and talks about the weather."

 

"Is that so?" the Caliph asked the farmer. "Yes, Your Highness," said the farmer. "Every morning, I look at my donkey. If his ears stand upright, it means there will be no rain. But if its ears point to the front, it means there will be rain. This morning, my donkey's ears pointed to the front. That is why I said that there will be rain."

 

Suddenly the Caliph laughed. "So neither Karimullah nor the farmer is a good astrologer. Only the donkey can predict the weather. But I cannot appoint a donkey as the court astrologer." He laughed again.

 

Thus Karimullah's life was saved. Later he met Mullah Nazaruddin and gave him several presents.