Akbar The Beggar

The Muslim mystic, Farid, was prevailed upon by his neighbours to go to the court in Delhi and obtain a favour from Akbar for the village. Farid walked into the court and found Akbar at his prayers. When the Emperor finally emerged, Farid asked, “What sort of prayer did you make?”

“I prayed that the All-Merciful would bestow success and wealth and long life on me,” was the reply.

Farid promptly turned his back on the Emperor and walked away, remarking, “I came to see an Emperor. What I find here is a beggar no different from the rest!”

Perhaps in the court of the Lord, we are all beggars.