The Tale of Shaikh Chilli
This story of Shaikh Chilli centers on his lack of understanding and impulsive behavior. One day, in the marketplace, Shaikh Chilli began running about, shouting "It's gone—it's gone!" Tensions were high in the city, due to a conflict between two communities. Hearing Chilli's cries, the shopkeepers, fearing a clash, closed their shops and rushed home. Silence fell over the market, broken only by Chilli's repeated cries of "It's gone!" Eventually, a few people stopped him and asked, "Brother! Where has the fight gone? What happened?"
Shaikh Chilli, completely bewildered, looked at them and exclaimed, "What are you talking about? What fight? I know nothing of any fight!" The people replied, "You've been shouting 'It's gone—it's gone' this whole time. We just want to know where the fighting is." Chilli still didn't understand. He said, "I know nothing about any fight, and I don't understand what you're talking about." With that, he ran off again, shouting, "It's gone—it's gone!" One person grabbed him and asked, "Why are you shouting 'It's gone—it's gone'?"
Chilli laughed and explained, "A counterfeit coin of mine, after a long time, has finally been exchanged. I had been carrying it for so long, but no shopkeeper would accept it. Today, one shop took it. I'm overjoyed, and that's why I'm shouting 'It's gone—it's gone' throughout the city!" The people were annoyed by Chilli's explanation. They felt that he was causing unnecessary worry. They dispersed, leaving Shaikh Chilli to continue on his way, laughing. A little further down, a group of villagers were gathered under a tree, discussing ways to prevent accidents. One of them, a hakim (physician), asked, "If someone were to drown in a pond, their stomach full of water, breathing stopping, what would you do?"
Shaikh Chilli, from a distance, overheard this discussion. He walked over and stood beside them. The hakim repeated the question, but no one had an answer. Some of the people around the hakim asked Shaikh Chilli, "Well, what would you do?" Chilli instantly replied, "If someone's breathing stops, I'd first buy a shroud, and then I'd gather people to dig a grave." He laughed and continued on his way. The people were taken aback by Shaikh Chilli's response. They thought he didn't understand the seriousness of the situation. It seemed inappropriate to ask him further.
The moral of this story is: One should not run about, shouting and rejoicing without thinking, and one should not let others' words influence one's actions. It is wise to understand the reasons behind things before taking any steps.
