Bahlool and the Roasted Chicken That Laid Eggs

Many years ago, there was a caravanserai on the road connecting India to Baghdad. Tired and thirsty travelers who passed through would rest at this caravanserai for a while. One winter night, a traveler, who had goods from India and intended to sell them in Baghdad, arrived at the caravanserai and decided to stay the night. He placed his belongings in a safe spot and prepared to rest. The caravanserai owner asked, “What would you like for dinner?” The traveler replied, “I am very hungry, but since I must leave early in the morning, bring whatever food you have ready, so I don’t have to wait long.”

The caravanserai owner said, “I have a roasted chicken, and I’ve placed some eggs inside it to make it more delicious and nutritious. Would you like me to bring it?” The traveler, extremely hungry, swallowed his saliva and replied, “Please bring that right away, for I am weak from hunger.”

The food was quickly brought, and the traveler eagerly devoured the entire meal. Afterward, he went to the room that had been prepared for him and went to sleep. Early the next morning, when he stepped outside, he looked around, hoping to find the caravanserai owner. After searching carefully, he saw that the owner was nowhere to be found. He went to the room near the caravanserai door, which belonged to the owner, and knocked. There was no answer, and it seemed like no one was inside. The traveler, hoping to find the owner, looked around again, but there was no sign of him. He shouted for the owner, but it was in vain.

The traveler knew he had to continue his journey soon, as any delay could cause problems. He didn’t want to leave without paying for his stay, but since he couldn’t find the owner, he decided to leave and promised himself that he would pay the debt when he passed by the caravanserai on his way back.

Several months passed. The traveler sold his goods in Baghdad, and with the money he earned, he bought more goods. He prepared for his return journey. When he passed by the same caravanserai a year later, the owner didn’t recognize him, and the traveler didn’t expect the owner to remember him. Still, the traveler, not wanting to be indebted, decided to pay his debt from the previous year. When they stood face to face, the traveler said, “Last year, I stayed here, and I owe you money. I’m now ready to pay the debt.”

The caravanserai owner, looking confused, asked, “What debt?” The traveler explained the events of the previous year.

The caravanserai owner, a greedy and deceitful man, saw an opportunity to take advantage of the traveler. Upon seeing the traveler’s wealth and possessions, he realized that the traveler could afford to pay a large amount. He thought to himself, “This is a great opportunity,” and said to the traveler, “Your debt is one thousand dinars, and you must pay it all now.” He added smoothly, “I’ve been very careful in my calculations, because I, like you, fear becoming indebted to others.”

The traveler, shocked at the amount, shouted, “What are you talking about? One thousand dinars? Have you lost your mind?” The caravanserai owner shook his head and insisted, “There’s no need to be angry. With the careful calculations I’ve made, your debt is exactly one thousand dinars.” The traveler, feeling dizzy, shouted, “You must be mad! How can you say such a thing?”

The caravanserai owner replied, “Let me explain why your debt is one thousand dinars.”

The traveler reluctantly said, “I’m listening. Explain it to me.”

The caravanserai owner said, “Last year, you came here and ate a chicken with six eggs inside. If that chicken had been alive and I had placed the six eggs under it to hatch, six more chickens would have been born. Next time, those six chickens would have turned into thirty-six chickens, and so on. By now, I would have had a whole flock of chickens and roosters, which I could easily sell for over one thousand dinars.”

After saying this, the caravanserai owner took a deep breath and said, “Now you understand what a great deal I’m offering. And I’ve even given you a discount because I didn’t charge you for the food you ate.”

The traveler, who had been silent up until now, shouted angrily, “You are truly insane!” The argument between the two men escalated, and soon there was such a commotion that other travelers gathered around to see what was happening. Despite their efforts to mediate and bring peace between the traveler and the caravanserai owner, no resolution was reached.

Finally, it was decided that they should go to the local headman to settle the dispute. A short while later, the headman arrived and listened to the story. To the traveler’s shock, the headman sided with the caravanserai owner and said, “The traveler must pay the one thousand dinars.”

The poor traveler, realizing that he couldn’t win against the headman and fearing further escalation, lowered his head and thought, “God, please help me.” As he was still deep in thought, one of the other travelers approached him and said, “I know a man who can solve your problem.”

The traveler, lifting his head, asked, “Where is this man?”

The traveler replied, “He lives in Baghdad, and it’s not far from here. I’ll go and bring him quickly.”

In Baghdad, the traveler asked around for Bahlool and eventually found him in a mosque. He explained the situation to Bahlool, and together, they set off toward the caravanserai. They arrived quickly. As they approached, Bahlool said to the man, “You go ahead and tell them to wait. Tell them the judge will be arriving soon.”

The man did as Bahlool instructed, and the people at the caravanserai waited for the judge.

A short while later, Bahlool, disguised as a judge, appeared. The people at the caravanserai, not recognizing him, assumed he was the real judge coming to settle the case. When Bahlool reached the caravanserai, the headman and the caravanserai owner rushed to greet him, treating him with great respect, and led him inside.

Bahlool sat in the designated seat and said, “Tell me the story quickly. I have much to do in Baghdad and must return soon.” The caravanserai owner hastily explained the situation and then asked, “Judge, will you give the verdict in my favor?”

Bahlool sighed dramatically and said, “Before I give my judgment, I must apologize to all of you, especially to the headman and the caravanserai owner.” The two men, in a hurry, asked, “Why, Judge?” Bahlool sighed again and said, “Because I am late. You see, I also work in farming. Just before I came here, my workers were preparing to plant wheat seeds. I heard that if you boil wheat seeds beforehand, you get a better crop, so I was busy boiling the wheat, and that’s why I’m late.”

The headman laughed and said, “What a crazy judge! Who ever boils wheat seeds before planting them?” The caravanserai owner, confused, scratched his beard and said, “That’s quite strange.” Bahlool replied, “No, no, it’s not strange. In a city where a roasted chicken lays eggs, it’s not surprising that boiled wheat would sprout.”

Everyone who was present at the caravanserai couldn’t help but laugh at Bahlool’s sharp retort. The headman, realizing that his involvement in this scheme might bring trouble, turned to the caravanserai owner and said, “The judge is right. How can a roasted chicken lay eggs?” The caravanserai owner lowered his head in shame and said nothing.

The traveler paid a small amount for the two dinners and the room, then rode off toward Baghdad with Bahlool.

This story showcases Bahlool’s wit and wisdom in resolving a tricky situation, humorously exposing the absurdity of the caravanserai owner’s greed and the overall ridiculousness of the situation.