Bahlool and the Flattering Poet

One day, a sycophantic poet encountered Bahlool and said to him, “Whenever I see a blank sheet of paper, I get scared, and until I write poems on them, I am in fear.” Bahlool replied, “Unlike you, every time I see a sheet of paper with your poems written on it, I get scared!”

In this witty exchange, Bahlool mocks the poet’s self-importance and flattery, suggesting that the poet’s words bring more discomfort than blank paper ever could.