There was, once upon a time, a certain king who had a great longing to see with his own eyes the mysterious figure Khidr —and who could blame him? Khidr is the legendary ‘green’ prophet, the righteous servant of God who imparts secret knowledge and who guides the saints. He may be found everywhere, but who can claim to have seen him? Therefore, the king, after conferring with his viziers, issued a proclamation that he would fulfil every wish of any person who could show him Khidr.

In spite of this generous offer, no one came forward until a certain poor man had an idea. This man had a large family, but he was so desperately poor that he was unable to feed or clothe them. Tormented by their crying and fearing that his children would all perish from hunger, he thought he saw a way to help them through the desire of the king. Coming to the palace, he declared that he could show Khidr to the king, but that he needed forty days in which to find him. During that time, he would need a daily provision of treasure. The king, happy to have at last found someone who could fulfil his wish, agreed.

For his part, the poor man, who had not the faintest idea how to find Khidr, assumed that in forty days he would be hanged, but that in the meantime he would at least be able to accumulate enough treasure that his family would never be in need again.

When the forty days were expired, the poor man came to the palace, having washed himself and said his prayers for his own funeral, and said to the king, “Majesty, forgive me. I have not found Khidr. I said that I could find him only to feed my children, for we have nothing. Have mercy on you humble servant.”

Disappointed, the king conferred with his viziers. “What should be done with this man?” he asked them.

One vizier said, “You must make an example of him, sire. His flesh should be cut in pieces.” And as he said this, a child who happened to be standing in the assembly, said, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

A second vizier said, “He has told an untruth to the king. He skin should be removed.” And again, the child standing nearby said, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

The third vizier sounded a different note. “Majesty, this is a poor man, who has done this to save his family, knowing that it could mean the sacrifice of his own life. Be merciful and forgive him.” And once again the child said, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

The king turned to the child and said, “Three times you have said this to the advice of my viziers. Explain yourself.”

The child said, “The first vizier is the son of a butcher, and his advice shows his origin and character. The second vizier is the son of a saddle maker, and by his answer you see his roots. The third vizier is the son of a vizier, and knows the work of a vizier from top to bottom.

“I have come today to save this man,” said the child, pointing to the poor man, “whose willingness to sacrifice himself for his children deserves forgiveness. If you are looking for a good vizier, the third vizier is worthy of trust. And if you are looking for Khidr, now you have seen him!”

And with that, the child ran out of the door.