Seeking Marriage Advice from Bahlool

A man, weary of life’s challenges, decided to seek the counsel of a wise and discerning person. He expressed his desire to find someone who could guide him through his problems. A local advised him, “In our city, there is one truly wise man, but he pretends to be mad. You’ll find him among the children, playing games and riding on a stick as if it were a horse.”

The man followed this advice and found Bahlool amidst a group of children, playing joyfully.

Approaching Bahlool, the man said, “I am frustrated with the troubles of married life. I swore I would never marry again unless I consulted one hundred people for advice. I have already consulted ninety-nine. You are the hundredth. Please, advise me.”

Bahlool responded, “Ask only what will benefit you, and leave the rest. If it serves no purpose, do not inquire.”

Encouraged, the man explained his predicament. Bahlool nodded and said:

“Women are of three types:

1. The first type is beneficial to you. This is the young maiden, pure and unspoiled, who appreciates your kindness and endures your shortcomings, assuming they are universal to all men.
2. The second type is harmful to you. This is the widow with children from a previous marriage. She will strip you of your wealth and save it for her children from her former husband.
3. The third type brings neither benefit nor harm. This is the widow without children. She will not appreciate your goodness, considering it a mere obligation, nor will she tolerate your flaws. In her heart, she will always compare you unfavorably to her first husband.”

Having delivered this advice, Bahlool returned to his play with the children. The man, amazed by such profound wisdom from someone pretending to be mad, stopped him and insisted, “Tell me why you pretend to be insane when you are clearly wise.”

Bahlool smiled and replied, “Our agreement was that you should only ask what benefits you. Yet since you insist, I will tell you: I was once offered the position of judge, but I refused. Instead, I chose this life you see before you, for it is far better than the burden of judgment.”

The man left, deeply impressed by Bahlool’s insight and simplicity. His wisdom, masked by a veneer of madness, held lessons that extended far beyond the man’s original question.