The Sultan, the Vizier, and the Dogs

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The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene — a classic book on strategy, influence, and human behavior.

(A story from The Subtle Ruse – 13th-century Arabic wisdom)

Once upon a time, in an ancient kingdom, a wise but humble vizier faithfully served a powerful Sultan for many years. The vizier was known throughout the land for his wisdom, loyalty, and service. However, as often happens in royal courts, jealous courtiers grew envious of the vizier’s closeness to the Sultan.

They whispered lies into the Sultan’s ears, poisoning his heart with suspicion.

“He is too clever,” they said.
“He plots behind your back.”
“He is more loyal to himself than to your throne.”

Blinded by doubt, the Sultan grew angry and declared:

“Enough! I will no longer tolerate betrayal. Vizier, you are sentenced to death. You shall be thrown to my wild dogs in eleven days!”

Everyone knew that these dogs were no ordinary beasts. They were trained to tear flesh and kill within moments — loyal only to the Sultan.

The vizier, calm even in the face of death, bowed respectfully and said:

“My Sultan, I accept your command. But I ask one favor: grant me eleven days to prepare myself, and to serve the dogs.”

The Sultan, curious and slightly amused, agreed.

For the next eleven days, the vizier fed the dogs, bathed them, treated their wounds, and played with them. He cared for them with kindness and devotion.

On the twelfth day, the moment came. The court gathered to watch what they expected would be a brutal execution.

The vizier was thrown into the kennel.

But to everyone’s shock, the dogs did not attack. They gathered around him gently, licking his hands and wagging their tails. They sat by his side, as if protecting him.

The Sultan was stunned.

“What is the meaning of this? Why didn’t they kill you?”

The vizier looked up, calm and steady, and replied:

“I served these dogs for just eleven days… and they remembered.
But I served you faithfully for eleven years… and you forgot.”

A deep silence fell over the court. The Sultan realized the grave injustice he had done — not only to the vizier, but to the idea of loyalty repaid with suspicion.

He rose from his throne, embraced the vizier, and restored him to his honorable position, now with deeper respect than ever before.

Moral of the Story:

True nobility is proven through actions, not words.
Even animals remember kindness — how much more, then, should humans?
Never let whispers outweigh years of loyalty.
And never punish the faithful without seeking truth.

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