The Caliph and the Clown

The Caliph of Baghdad hired an intelligent and high spirited man as his court jester, and was much amused by his clever, witty comments. The clown was so well loved by his master that everyone at court showed him great respect. And so the Caliph was much surprised one day when he heard his beloved clown crying out in distress from the throne room. The Caliph hurried there and was astonished to find the guards beating the clown badly.

'Leave him alone at once!' he ordered. 'Why are you beating him?''We found him sitting on your throne, O Majesty!' the captain of the guards explained.

'Out of my sight!' commanded the Caliph. 'For sure the jester did not do it with intention of offending me.'

The clown, however, continued to weep and wail even after the guards had left.

'Stop it!' said the irritated Caliph. 'You're still in one piece, aren't you?'

'I m not crying for myself, my lord; I weep for you,' the clown explained. 'For me?' exclaimed the Caliph in surprise.

'Certainly! If I get beaten so badly for having been only a few minutes on the throne, how many beatings must you have suffered in all years that you have been there?'