Sheikh Chilli, though known for his foolish actions, displayed surprising intellect this time. The Nawab of Jhajjar, a patron of Sheikh Chilli, had traveled outside his kingdom for several months after a battle. During his absence, the younger brother assumed control of the state. The Nawab's younger brother held Sheikh Chilli in low regard, believing him incompetent and dishonest.
Acting on this prejudice, the younger Nawab treated Sheikh Chilli poorly. One day, during a public gathering, the younger Nawab reprimanded Sheikh Chilli, stating that a truly capable individual exceeds expectations. "You don't even perform the tasks assigned to you properly," he declared. "You fail to properly stable the horses and tremble when lifting simple objects. Why won't you perform your duties with dedication?" The assembled crowd laughed at Sheikh Chilli's predicament. Humiliated and mocked, Sheikh Chilli quietly departed.
Days later, Sheikh Chilli was passing the royal palace when the younger Nawab spotted him. He summoned Sheikh Chilli, instructing him, "Quickly, go find a skilled physician. My wife is unwell." Sheikh Chilli, nodding in agreement, set off to locate a doctor. He returned, not with a physician, but with a team of grave diggers. He had them begin digging near the palace. The younger Nawab arrived, furious, and demanded, "I only asked for a physician! Who are you and why are you digging graves? No one has died here."
Sheikh Chilli responded, "Your Highness, I have brought the grave diggers because you said a truly capable person exceeds expectations. Considering your wife's illness, I have taken the necessary precautionary measures." Angered by this reply, the younger Nawab retreated inside the palace. A few days later, he announced a contest, taking pleasure in games of chess and other pastimes more than governing. He declared that anyone who could tell the biggest lie would receive a thousand gold ashrafis.
People eager to lie flocked to the competition. One contender told the younger Nawab, "Your Highness, I have seen ants bigger than elephants, even ones that produce more milk than an elephant!" The younger Nawab replied, "That's entirely possible." Another proclaimed, "Every night I fly to the moon and return before dawn." The Nawab remarked, "Perhaps you possess magical powers." A hefty man then declared, "I swallowed watermelon seeds. Watermelons are now growing inside my stomach, one bursting each day, and I don't need to eat."
The younger Nawab scoffed, "That's nothing special. You probably ate some magical seeds." After hearing numerous incredible lies, Sheikh Chilli asked to participate in the contest. The younger Nawab mocked him, responding, "You and your talents?" Sheikh Chilli loudly declared, "There's no one more foolish in this kingdom than you. You should immediately relinquish the throne; it's not yours." The hall fell silent. The younger Nawab, enraged, ordered Sheikh Chilli's arrest.
Sheikh Chilli knelt, "What crime have I committed? This is a lie-telling contest, and I have participated. Is anyone able to surpass my lie? Please, don't misinterpret it as anything other than a competitor's statement." The younger Nawab pondered, unsure if Sheikh Chilli was lying about his lie. After a pause, the younger Nawab declared, "You're not as foolish as I thought. You have won the contest. No one has told a bigger lie than you." With his cleverness, Sheikh Chilli had won a thousand gold ashrafis. Reflecting on his victory, he thought, "The younger Nawab is truly foolish. My truth has brought me victory and reward."
The moral of this tale is: Employing intelligence can overcome difficulties. One should avoid insulting others, as everyone possesses inherent capabilities.
