Bahlool Places a Bet

A group of people were sitting under a tree, chatting and joking. When they saw Bahlool passing by, they decided to make fun of him. They approached him and said, “Bahlool, if you climb this tree, we’ll give you ten dirhams.”

Bahlool agreed, took the ten dirhams, and tucked them safely into his sleeve. Then he said, “Now, go fetch me a ladder.”

The group protested, saying, “We never said anything about a ladder!”

Bahlool, with a sly smile, replied, “And you never specified how I should climb the tree. You only said, ‘If you climb the tree.’ I’ve decided to use a ladder.”

The group, realizing they had been outwitted, was left speechless. Once again, Bahlool’s quick thinking and sharp wit turned their mockery into his triumph.