Bahlool and the Lesson for Harun

One day, Harun al-Rashid was passing by and saw Bahlool measuring the ground with a stick. Harun asked, “What are you doing?” Bahlool replied, “I am measuring the world to see how much belongs to me and how much belongs to you. No matter how hard I try, I find that I get no more than two arms’ length (about one meter), and you also get no more than that.”

In this witty response, Bahlool pointed out the fleeting nature of wealth and power, reminding Harun that in the end, everyone is limited in their share of the world.