Bahlool and Harun’s Riddle

One day, Bahlool entered the court of Harun al-Rashid and sat next to him at the head of the assembly. Harun, irritated by Bahlool’s behavior, wanted to humiliate him in front of the audience. He decided to ask Bahlool a riddle and said, “Bahlool, are you willing to answer my riddle?”

Bahlool replied, “If you make a condition and don’t go back on your word as you have done before, I am willing.”

Harun then said, “If you answer my riddle immediately, I will give you a thousand golden dinars, but if you fail to answer, I will have your beard and mustache shaved, make you ride a donkey, and parade you through the streets of Baghdad in utter disgrace.”

Bahlool replied, “I do not need the gold, but I will answer your riddle on one condition.” Harun asked, “What is the condition?” Bahlool responded, “If I answer your riddle, I ask that you command the flies not to bother me.”

Harun paused for a moment, then replied, “This is impossible. The flies do not obey me.”

Bahlool said, “Then what can be expected from someone who is helpless against such insignificant creatures as flies?” The people in the assembly were amazed by Bahlool’s wisdom and courage. Harun, realizing he had been outwitted, sought to make amends and said, “Now, I am willing to hear your answer without any conditions.”

Harun then asked his riddle: “What tree lives for one year, has twelve branches, and each branch has thirty leaves, one side of each leaf is light, and the other is dark?”

Bahlool immediately replied, “This tree represents the year, months, days, and nights. Each year has 12 months, and each month has 30 days, half of which are day and the other half night.”

Harun exclaimed, “Well done, that is correct!” The audience began praising Bahlool for his quick and accurate answer.

This story illustrates Bahlool’s sharp wit and his ability to cleverly turn the situation around, using his humor and insight to not only answer the riddle but also to put Harun in a difficult position.