We begin with the help of the Creator, the Most High, exalted is His name and His remembrance forever. And we write the story of the skillful, wise, clever philosopher, the minister of Sennacherib, son of Sarhadum, the king of Atur, Nineveh, and Mosul, and what transpired between him and his nephew Nadan.

In the days of King Sarhadum, the ruler of the land of Atur, Nineveh, and its territories, there lived a wise man known as Haiqar. He served as the minister of King Sennacherib and his scribe, possessing immense wealth and abundant provisions. He was a skilled philosopher, knowledgeable, wise, and astute in his counsel and strategies. Despite having married sixty women and building separate houses for each of them, Haiqar had no offspring to inherit his wealth. This weighed heavily on his heart. One day, he gathered astrologers, sorcerers, and seers and shared with them his condition and the issue of his childlessness. They advised him to offer a sacrifice to the gods and seek their help, in the hope that they might grant him a child. So he did as they advised, offering sacrifices to the idols and seeking their help. He implored them with pleas and prayers, but they did not respond with a word. He left, saddened, regretful, and disheartened.

He returned with supplication to the Most High God, seeking His assistance with a heart full of fervor, saying: 'O God of the heavens and the earth, O Creator of all creatures, I implore You to grant me a child, so that I may find solace in him, and he may inherit me, attend to my death, close my eyes, and bury me.' Then, at that moment, a voice came to him from the heavens, saying, 'Because you initially relied on the sculpted idols, offering them sacrifices, you will remain childless. Instead, take Nadan, your sister's son, and raise him as your own. Educate him with your knowledge, manners, and wisdom, and he will inherit from you.' At that time, he took Nadan, the son of his sister, who was still a baby, and entrusted him to eight nursing women to breastfeed and raise him. He was nurtured with delicious food, dressed in silk, velvet, and crimson, and he sat upon silk cushions. When Nadan grew up, he walked and grew tall like a lofty cedar. He taught him writing, reading, manners, and philosophy. Then, one day, King Sennacherib looked and saw Haiqar, his elderly minister and scribe, who had become an old man. He said to him, 'O my companion, the beloved, the honored, the skilled, the wise, my scribe, my minister, the keeper of my secrets, and the manager of my affairs, you have grown old, your years have increased, and the time of your death and demise is near. Tell me, who will take up your role in my service after you?'

Haiqar replied to him, 'O my lord, the king, may you live forever. Behold, I have a nephew named Nadan, the son of my sister, whom I have taken in, raised, and taught all that I possess of wisdom and manners.' The king said, 'Bring him to me so that I may see him. If I find him suitable, I will appoint him in your place, and you may go in peace to rest and enjoy your old age, living the rest of your life in honor and tranquility.' At that time, Haiqar went and brought Nadan before the king. Nadan prostrated himself and displayed proper manners and respect. The king observed him, was impressed, and delighted with him. He said to Haiqar, 'This is your son, Haiqar. Ask God to protect him. Just as you have served me and served Sarhadum, may your son serve me as well, attending to my affairs, needs, and responsibilities. I will honor and elevate him for your sake.' Haiqar prostrated before the king and said, 'May my lord the king live forever. I beseech you, my lord, to extend your spirit over my son Nadan and to forgive his mistakes, so he may serve you as he should.' At that moment, the king swore to make Nadan one of his dearest and most cherished friends, to have him in high esteem and honor. Haiqar kissed the kings’s hands and prayed for him.

He took Nadan with him and seated him in a seclusion, and he began to teach him day and night until he filled him with knowledge and wisdom, more than bread and water. This is how he taught him and said to him:

O my son, Nadan, listen to my words, follow my advice, and remember my saying.

O my son, if you hear a word, let it die in your heart and do not reveal it to others, lest it becomes a burning coal and scorches your tongue, causing pain in your body, earning you shame, and making you a disgrace in the eyes of God and people.

O my son, if you hear news, do not spread it, and if you see something, do not talk about it.

O my son, make your speech easy for the listener, and do not rush to respond.

O my son, do not desire outward beauty, for it fades and passes away, but the remembrance of the righteous endures and lasts forever.

O my son, do not let a foolish woman deceive you with her words, lest you die a most miserable death, and she ensnares you in her trap.

O my son, do not desire a woman adorned with fine clothes and fragrance, but lacking in character and wisdom. Beware of giving her something that belongs to you or surrendering what is in your possession, as it may lead to sinfulness, and God may hold you accountable.

O my son, do not be like the almond tree, for it bears leaves before all other trees but feeds others last. Instead, be like the mulberry tree, for it feeds others before all other trees and bears leaves last.

O my son, lower your head in humility, soften your voice, and conduct yourself with discipline. Walk in the paths of righteousness, and do not be foolish. Do not raise your voice when you laugh or speak, for if building houses were done with a loud voice, then donkeys would have built many houses each day.

O my son, carrying stones with a wise person is better than drinking wine with a vile one.

O my son, pour your wine on the graves of the righteous, and do not drink it with vile and insolent people.

O my son, associate with wise people who fear God, be like them, and do not approach the ignorant, lest you become like them and learn their ways.

O my son, if you acquire a friend or a companion who you have tested before, then associate with them. But if you have not tested them, neither praise them nor engage in conversations with an unwise person.

O my son, as long as there is a shoe on your foot, walk upon thorns, build a path for your children, and the sons of your house. Repair your ship before the sea becomes turbulent, its waves rise, and you find yourself unable to escape.

O my son, when a rich man eats a snake, people say it is his wisdom, but when a poor man does, people say it is his hunger.

O my son, be content with your provision and wealth, and do not covet the wealth of others.

O my son, do not associate with a fool, do not share bread with him, and do not rejoice in the misfortune of your neighbors. When your enemy wrongs you, respond with kindness.

O my son, honor and show respect to a man who fears God, as you fear Him.

O my son, a fool stumbles and falls, while a wise person, even if he stumbles, will not shake or fall. If he falls, he quickly rises, and when he is sick, he seeks treatment for his soul. As for the ignorant fool, there is no cure for his ailment.

O my son, do not spare disciplining your son, for a child's discipline is like manuring a garden, like tying a sack, like restraining a beast, and like closing a door.

O my son, restrain your child from evil, and educate him before he grows up, rebels against you, disgraces you among his peers, lowers your head in the streets and gatherings, and you are held accountable for his bad deeds.

O my son, acquire a square-horned bull with distinct hooves and a large-hoofed donkey, but do not acquire a horned bull, nor associate with a bearded man, and do not acquire a runaway servant or a thieving maidservant, for everything you entrust to them, they will ruin.

O my son, do not leave your parents in need, for they may curse you, and the Lord will respond to them. It has been said that whoever curses their mother and father will die a death, meaning a sinful one. But whoever honors their parents will have a long life and will see all goodness.

O my son, do not walk down a path without a weapon, for you do not know where the enemy might encounter you, so you should be prepared for it.

O my son, do not be like a barren tree that bears no leaves or fruit. Instead, be like the lush tree with its leaves and branches. For a man in his home with his wife, children, and siblings is similar to this fruitful tree. But a man who has neither a wife nor children is, in this world, reproached by his enemies and despised by them, resembling a tree that bears neither fruit nor leaves.

O my son, be like the fruitful tree by the roadside, where anyone who extends their hand can partake of its fruit. Even wild animals seek shade under it and feed on its leaves.

O my son, do not say that your master is a fool while I am wise, and do not speak about your master with words of ignorance and folly, lest you become despised in his eyes.

O my son, do not be among those slaves whom their masters tell to stay away from us. Instead, be among those whom they invite to come closer and join.

O my son, do not curse your Lord who created you, lest He becomes displeased with you.

O my son, a sheep that rushes becomes the meal of the wolf.

O my son, speak well, refine your tongue, and do not allow your companion to step on your foot, lest he steps once more on your chest.

O my son, when you strike a wise person with words of wisdom, it lodges in his heart like noble virtue. But when you strike a fool with a stick, he neither understands nor heeds.

O my son, when you send a wise person on your errand, do not give him many instructions. But when you send a fool, do not instruct him at all; you should carry on and handle your own affairs, for even if you instruct him, he will not carry out your wishes.

O my son, when they send you on an errand, make sure to fulfill it promptly.

Beware of opposing a man stronger than you, for he will weigh you down and seek revenge upon you.

O my son, test your son and your servant before entrusting them with your wealth, or they may squander it. For he who has a full hand may be called wise, even if he is foolish and ignorant, and he who has an empty hand is called poor and ignorant, even if he is the epitome of wisdom.

O my son, teach your child about hardship and hunger so he can manage his household well. Do not teach the ignorant person words of wisdom, and if you need to, do not reveal your condition to your companion, lest you become despicable in his eyes.

O my son, the blindness of the eye is easier to heal than the blindness of the heart. For the blind can find his way step by step, while the blind of heart cannot find guidance. He abandons the straight path and tread the crooked, and a person's stumble with his foot is easier to rectify than his stumble with his tongue.

O my son, a close companion is better than a distant brother, and a good name is better than fine oil. For oil is consumed, and the good name endures and lasts forever. Beauty fades, knowledge vanishes, and the world passes away and becomes void, but the good name neither passes nor disappears.

O my son, a man without rest [finds] his death better than his life, and the sound of weeping is better than the sound of laughter, for in sorrow and weeping, there is the fear of God.

O my son, a little gathered wealth is better than abundant wealth scattered, a living dog is better than a dead lion, and a poor person who does good is better than a rich person who dies in sin.

O my son, keep the word in your heart, and it will be good for you. Beware of revealing your friend's secret.

O my son, do not let words leave your mouth until you consult your heart.

Do not involve yourself between those who are quarreling, for from a word of evil comes dispute, from dispute comes conflict, from conflict comes war, and from war comes battle. It will then require your testimony, so flee from there and find peace.

O my son, do not stand up against someone stronger than you. Instead, cultivate patience, endurance, and righteous behavior within yourself.

O my son, do not rejoice at the death of your enemy, for soon you may be his neighbor.

Whoever ridicules you, deal kindly with him, welcome him warmly, honor him, and greet him with peace.

O my son, if you wish to be wise, control your tongue from lying, your hand from theft, and your eyes from casting evil glances. Then, you shall be called wise.

O my son, let the wise strike you with his stick rather than the ignorant anoint you with fragrant oils.

O my son, be humble in your youth, and you will be honored in your old age.

O my son, do not confront a man in his days of authority, nor the river during its flooding.

Do not engage in matchmaking, for if it turns out well, they will praise and bless you, but if it goes awry, they will curse and revile you.

O my son, if you commit theft and the sultan becomes aware of it, give him a portion of what you stole to resolve the matter. If you fail to do so, you will taste bitterness in the end.

O my son, befriend those whose hands are open and generous, and do not associate with those whose hands are clenched and stingy.

When Haiqar had finished these instructions and proverbs for Nadan, his nephew, he thought in his mind that he had memorized them all. He did not realize that Nadan was feigning understanding but instead responded with exhaustion, curses, and insults.

At that time, Haiqar settled in his house and handed over all his possessions, including slaves, servant girls, horses, and everything he owned, to Nadan. The authority and instructions now rested in Nadan's hands, and he rose in rank before the king, Sennacherib, just like his uncle Haiqar, and even more so.

So, when Nadan saw that he held the authority, he made fun of his uncle Haiqar and started to criticize him whenever the opportunity presented itself. He claimed that Haiqar had become senile and no longer understood anything. Nadan began to beat the slaves and maids, selling the horses and camels, and disposing of everything his uncle owned. When Haiqar saw that Nadan had no compassion for his possessions, he expelled him from his house and informed the king about him. The king summoned Nadan and said to him, 'As long as your uncle Haiqar is alive and well, no one can seize control of his house and wealth.' Following this, Haiqar continued to feel sad about the hardship he had endured with Nadan. Nadan had a younger brother named Nabuzaradan. So, Haiqar chose Nabuzaradan in place of Nadan, treating him with the utmost generosity. He handed over all his possessions to him and made him the manager of his household and affairs. When Nadan saw what had happened, jealousy and envy consumed him. He began to complain to everyone he spoke with, mocking his uncle. He said, 'My uncle has expelled me from his home and favored my brother over me. But if God grants me the opportunity, I will throw him into the abyss of death.' Nadan began to plot against his uncle.

After days and years, Nadan sent a letter to Achish, the son of Shah Halim, the king of the Persians and non-Arabs. In the letter, he extended warm greetings and respect on behalf of Sennacherib, the king of Atur and Nineveh, along with his minister and scribe, Haiqar. The letter conveyed the message, 'Greetings between me and you. Upon receiving this letter, come promptly to the land of Atur and Nineveh, so I can surrender the kingdom to you without war or conflict.' And he also wrote another letter in the name of Haiqar to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, extending peaceful greetings between them. The letter conveyed, 'Greetings between me and you, O esteemed king. Upon the arrival of this letter to you, please come to the land of Atur and Nineveh, to the location of Nissrin, so that I may surrender the kingdom to you without war or conflict.' Nadan's handwriting resembled Haiqar's. He folded the two letters and sealed them with Haiqar's seal, then placed them in the king's palace so that they would be found and delivered to the king. Then Nadan proceeded to write a letter from the king to Haiqar. It read, 'Complete peace to my minister, secretary, and keeper of secrets, Haiqar. Upon receiving this letter, gather all your troops, fully equipped. Meet me on Thursday at the location of Nissrin.

When you see me arriving, have your troops simulate a confrontation with me as if they were my enemies, for I have messengers from Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. This display will make them witness the strength of our army and fear us, for they are our adversaries and enemies.' Then Nadan sealed the letter and sent it to Haiqar along with one of the king's servants. He took the other letter that he had written and presented it to the king, reading it aloud to him and showing him the seal. When the king heard what was in the letter, he was greatly perplexed, and he became extremely angry. He said, 'What wrong have I done to Haiqar that he has written such letters to my enemies? Is this his way of repaying my kindness to him?' Nadan said to him, 'Do not be troubled, O king, do not grieve or become angry. Instead, we will proceed to the location of Nissrin and verify whether this news is true or not.' Then Nadan rose and took the king on Thursday, accompanied by the rest of the army and the ministers, and they set off for the location of Nissrin in the desert. The king looked and saw Haiqar and his troops arranged in formation. When Haiqar saw the king approaching, he signalled to the army to prepare for battle and align themselves in formation with the king, as instructed in the letter. However, he had no knowledge of the trap that Nadan had prepared for him.

Nadan said to him, 'Look, my lord the king, at what this wicked man has done. But do not be distressed or pained by him. Instead, return to your home and bed, and I will bring Haiqar to you bound in chains. I will rid you of your enemy without trouble.' So, the king returned to his throne, deeply troubled by what Haiqar had done. And Nadan went to his uncle Haiqar and said to him, 'By God, my uncle, the king was overjoyed today and praised you for what you did as he commanded. And now he has sent me to tell you to release the army and go to him bound with your feet in chains. This will make Pharaoh's messengers see it, and the king will remain formidable in their eyes and in the eyes of their king.' Haiqar responded with submission and obedience, his hands were bound, and his feet were chained. Nadan then took him and went with him to the king, who had also reviewed the second letter. When Haiqar entered before the king, he prostrated himself in front of him and lay on the ground with his face down. The king said to him, 'Oh Haiqar, my scribe, the one in charge of my affairs, the keeper of my secrets, and the manager of my state, tell me what I have done to you that is ugly, so that you would repay me with these reprehensible actions?' Then he showed him the letters with his seal and handwriting.

Haiqar felt ashamed at that moment, his limbs trembled, his tongue became tied, and he could not find the words to speak. He desperately wanted to utter a single word of his wisdom and knowledge, but he could not find it. So, he lowered his head to the ground and remained silent. When the king saw this, he ordered immediately that Haiqar be bound and beheaded outside the city. At that moment, Nadan cried out to Haiqar, saying, 'You, with a darkened face, what good did your cunning do for you to commit such a vile act against the king?' The name of the executioner was Abu Samik. The king ordered him, saying, 'Go and behead Haiqar at the door of his house, and separate his head from his body by a distance of a hundred cubits.' At that moment, Haiqar prostrated himself before the king and said, 'May you live forever, my lord. If you wish to kill me, it is your choice, and I know that I am not guilty. However, death demands its due. But, my lord, I humbly request from your generosity that you allow the executioner to hand over my body to my servants so they may bury me, and I shall remain your devoted servant.'

The king ordered the executioner to do as he pleased. So, the executioner and his servants took Haiqar and went with him naked to kill him. When Haiqar sensed his imminent death and was certain of it, he sent a message to his wife, whose name was Ashfaghni, instructing her, 'Go out to meet me with a thousand virgin girls, dress them in purple and silk garments so they can weep for me before my death. Also, prepare a feast for the executioner and his servants, and provide them with plenty of wine to drink.' She did everything he commanded. She was a wise, intelligent, and skillful woman who possessed knowledge and expertise. When the soldiers, the executioner, and his servants arrived, they found the table set with wine and sumptuous dishes. They began to eat and drink until they became intoxicated. So Haiqar took the executioner aside and said to him, 'O Abu Samik, do you remember the day when Sarhadum, the king and the father of Sennacherib, sought to kill you? I took you and hid you in a place until his anger subsided, and he requested your return. I brought you back, and he was pleased with you. Now, recall the favor, the bread, and the salt. I know that the king regrets my fate and is greatly angered because I am not guilty. You will be in a high position with him. Know that Nadan, my nephew, deceived and conspired against me in this vile plot.

The king will regret my death. I have a small chamber at the threshold of my house, and no one knows about it. Hide me there with my wife's knowledge. In the prison, there is another condemned man. Bring him out, dress him in my clothes, and instruct those who are with you, now intoxicated, to kill him. They should not know whom they killed. Remove his head from his body at a distance of a hundred cubits. Give his body to my servants for burial. In doing this, you will have secured a treasure with me and with the king.' So the executioner did as Haiqar instructed him, and he went to the king and said to him, 'May the king live forever.' Haiqar's wife used to prepare bread and water for him every Friday in the hiding place, and no one knew about it except her. The news spread throughout Atur and Nineveh that Haiqar had been killed and had died. The people of those lands mourned him, cried, and said, 'Oh, what a loss for you, Haiqar, and for your knowledge and wisdom! Woe to you and to your knowledge! Where can we find someone like you? Where can we find someone who is knowledgeable and wise like you to take your place?'

As for the king, he regretted Haiqar and wept, but his regret was of no avail. He summoned Nadan and said to him, 'Go and take with you your associates and offer condolences to your uncle Haiqar, as is customary, out of respect for him.' When Nadan, the cruel-hearted fool, went to his uncle's house, he neither cried nor was sad nor lamented. Rather, he gathered immoral people around him and began to eat and drink. Nadan seized the slaves and maids of Haiqar, stripped them naked, pulled them, and beat them painfully. He was not ashamed of his uncle's wife, who raised him like her own son. He even asked her to sin with him. As for Haiqar, he was confined in the underground chamber, hearing the cries of his slaves and maids. He praised the Merciful God and was in constant prayer, earnestly beseeching Him with weeping and supplication. Every now and then, the executioner would come to him, console him, and lighten his heart. He would then depart, praying for his salvation. When the news spread throughout the kingdoms that the wise Haiqar had been killed by King Sennacherib, the kings rejoiced in the king's actions and mourned for Haiqar, the solver of problems.

First, the King of Egypt rose and wrote a letter to King Sennacherib, in which he mentioned the following: 'Complete peace, greetings, and honor to King Sennacherib. I have a desire to build for myself a palace between heaven and earth, and I request that you send me a skilled and wise man to construct it for me. This person should fulfill all my requirements, and, in return, I will grant you Egypt's tribute and taxes for three years. If you do not send me this person, then you should be aware that I have the tribute of Atur and Nineveh with their taxes for three years.' He sealed the letter and sent it to the king. When the letter reached King Sennacherib, he took it and read it in the presence of his ministers and the dignitaries of his kingdom. He became puzzled and perplexed and was filled with great anger. Then, he gathered the elders, wise men, philosophers, the knowledgeable, astrologers, and all those in his land. He read the letter before them, and they were all bewildered and amazed. The king asked them, 'Who among you will go to Pharaoh, the King of Egypt, and answer his questions? ' They replied, 'Our lord, the king, you should know that no one knows how to solve these complex matters except Haiqar, your minister and scribe. As for us, we have no way to deal with them. However, if you wish, you can summon his nephew Nadan, who has learned all of his wisdom and knowledge from him. Perhaps he can unravel this difficult puzzle.'

At that moment, the king summoned Nadan and read the letter to him. In response, Nadan said, 'My lord, the king, let the people jest about the impossible. Who can build a palace between heaven and earth?' When the king heard that, he felt profound sorrow. He wept and descended from his throne to sit on the ashes. He began to lament and mourn for Haiqar, saying, 'Woe to me for your loss, Haiqar, the knower of matters, the teacher of my land, and my manager. Where can I find someone like you, Haiqar? How can I replace you? Woe to me for how I allowed you to be destroyed by the words of an ignorant, foolish boy, devoid of knowledge, religion, or honor. Oh, who would have given you to me, or would have told me that Haiqar is good, so I would give him half of my kingdom. Woe to me for losing you, how I killed you and did not wait until I saw the outcome of your matter.' When the executioner saw the king's intense grief and his condition, he prostrated himself before the king and said, 'My lord, please instruct your servants to behead me.' The king said to him, 'Woe to you, what is your fault?' The executioner replied, 'My lord, any slave who disobeys his master's orders is killed, and I have disobeyed your command.'

The king asked him, 'How did you disobey my command?' He replied, 'My lord, you ordered me to kill Haiqar, but I realized that you regretted it, and he is innocent. So, I hid him in a place and killed one of his slaves instead. He is still alive. If you order, I will bring him to you. And if you wish to kill me, or set me free, it is up to you.' The king said, 'You mock me, and I am your master?' He replied, 'No, by your life, my lord, Haiqar is alive.' When the king heard that statement and verified it, his mind soared with joy. He ordered Haiqar to be brought to him. He said to the executioner, 'O righteous servant, if your words are true, I wish to enrich you and elevate your status above all my associates.' The executioner went, overjoyed, until he reached Haiqar's house. He opened the door to the chamber and descended, finding Haiqar sitting, thanking and praising God. The executioner exclaimed, 'Relief has come to you, Haiqar. Rise, rejoice, and be glad!' Haiqar said to him, 'What is the news?' The executioner recounted to him everything that had happened from the beginning to the end. Then he took Haiqar and went to the king.

When the king saw him, his hair had grown long like that of wild beasts, his nails were like eagle's claws, and his body was covered in dust. The color of his face had changed, and it had become ashen. The king grieved for him, stood up, embraced him, kissed him, and wept over him. He said, 'Praise be to God who has returned you to me after death.' Then he eased his mind, comforted him, bestowed upon the executioner a generous reward, and took good care of Haiqar's needs. Haiqar said to the king, 'May you live forever, my lord. These are the actions of the illegitimate. I planted a palm tree to rely on, but it bent and cast me off. Nevertheless, my lord, now that I stand before you, none of this matters.' The king said to him, 'Blessed be God who had mercy on you, looked upon you, and recognized your innocence, thus saving you from death. However, go to the bathhouse, shave your head, trim your nails, change your clothes, and luxuriate for a period of forty days until you refresh yourself and improve your condition. After that, come to me.' Then he bestowed upon him a fitting reward. So Haiqar thanked [the king] and prostrated before him. Then, he went to his home, filled with joy and contentment, praising the Most High God. His family, loved ones, and everyone who heard that he was alive rejoiced in his return.

So he did as the king commanded, taking the rest for forty days. Then, he dressed in his finest clothes, rode, and came to the king, with his servants behind him and ahead of him, all rejoicing and happy. As for Nadan, when he saw what had happened, fear and panic seized him. He remained bewildered, not knowing what to do. When Haiqar entered the presence of the king, he greeted him and the king responded with greetings. He seated him beside him and said, 'My dear Haiqar, look at this letter that the King of Egypt sent to us after hearing about your murder. They have defeated us, conquered us, and most of the people in the land have fled to Egypt, fearing the tribute they demand from us.' So Haiqar took the letter, read it, and understood its interpretation. He said to the king, 'Do not be angry, my lord. I will go to Egypt, give the answer to Pharaoh, and explain this letter to him. I will obtain the tribute from him for you, bring back all those who have fled, and disgrace all your enemies with the help of God Almighty and the prosperity of your kingdom.' When the king heard these words, he rejoiced, and his heart was filled with comfort, and he bestowed favors upon him. Haiqar said to the king, 'Grant me a period of forty days to contemplate this letter and devise a plan to respond to it.' The king permitted him to do so.

Haiqar went to his home and ordered the hunters to catch two eagles, and they caught them and brought them to him. He also ordered those who spun threads to spin two strips of cotton, each a thousand cubits long. He summoned the carpenters and instructed them to make two large boxes, and they did so. He had two young boys named Nabuhal and Tabshalim. Every day, he would slaughter two sheep and feed the eagles and the children. He would place the children on the backs of the eagles, tie them securely, attach the cotton strips to the eagles' legs, and release them gradually, about ten cubits each day, until they became accustomed and learned. In a short time, they would ascend along the strips until they reached the sky, with the children on their backs, and then he would pull them back to him. When Haiqar saw that his plan was complete, he taught the children that when they ascended to the sky, they should shout and say, 'Bring us stones, clay, and lime so we can build the palace of King Pharaoh, and do not leave us idle.'

Haiqar continued to train and educate them until they reached the highest level of skill. Then he left them and went to the king, saying, 'My lord, the work is done as you wished. Come with me to witness the marvel.' The king and his courtiers got up, and Haiqar led them to a spacious area. He brought the eagles, the boys, and bound them as he desired. He released them, and they ascended into the sky along the ropes, with the boys shouting as Haiqar had taught them. Then he pulled them back down and placed them in the boxes. The king and those with him were greatly astonished. He stood up, kissed Haiqar between his eyes, bestowed honors upon him, and said, 'Go in peace, my dear one, and respond to Pharaoh's questions. Overcome them with the strength of the Most High God.' Then he bid farewell to him, took his soldiers and recruits, and brought the eagles and the children with him, heading towards the land of Egypt. When he arrived and headed towards the king's court, the people of Egypt learned that Sennacherib had sent a man from his elite to speak with Pharaoh and respond to his inquiries.

The news reached King Pharaoh, who then sent some of his dignitaries to bring him before him. He came and entered before Pharaoh, prostrating himself before him, and said, 'My lord, King Sennacherib sends you abundant greetings, salutations, and respect. He has sent me, one of his servants, to respond to your questions and fulfill your desires. You had requested the construction of a palace between heaven and earth, and with the help of the Most High God, your noble determination, and the power of my lord the king, I shall build it for you as you wish. However, according to the covenant you made regarding the tribute of three years, it is a firm commitment of kings. If you outmatch me and I fail to respond to your inquiries, then my lord will send you the tribute as you mentioned. But if I provide you with answers to all your queries, you shall send the tribute to my lord as you have commanded.' When Pharaoh heard this speech, he was amazed by it and marveled at the eloquence of his tongue. He said to him, 'What is your name, O man?' He replied, 'I am your servant Abikam, and I am an ant from the ants of Sennacherib the king.' Pharaoh said to him, 'Does your master not have someone who can raise your status, so that he can send me an ant that can answer and speak to me?'

Haiqar said to him, 'I hope from the Most High God that I can fulfill what is in the mind of my lord the king because God is with the weak, so that the strong may marvel.' At that moment, Pharaoh ordered that a residence be prepared for Abikam and his recruits, providing them with provisions, food, and drink, along with everything they needed, to the highest degree. When three days had passed, Pharaoh adorned himself in royal purple, seated himself on his throne, and all his nobles and ministers stood by with folded hands. He then sent for Abikam and had him brought before him. Abikam prostrated himself to the ground and stood. Pharaoh said to Abikam, 'O Abikam, to whom do I resemble, and my officials and ministers, to whom do they resemble?' Abikam replied, 'You, my lord, resemble the idol Bel, and your nobles resemble its servants.' Pharaoh then said to him, 'Go to your residence, and come back here tomorrow.' Haiqar did as Pharaoh had commanded him. In the morning, he appeared before Pharaoh, prostrating himself before Pharaoh and stood up. Pharaoh was dressed in colorful red attire, while his officials were clad in white. Pharaoh asked, 'O Abikam, to whom do I resemble, and my officials, to whom do they resemble?' Abikam replied, 'My lord, you resemble the sun, and your officials resemble its rays.'

Pharaoh said to him, 'Go, and be here tomorrow.' Then Pharaoh instructed his officials to dress in pure white, and he himself wore the same. The next day, he sat on his throne and ordered Abikam to be brought before him. Abikam entered, prostrated before him, and stood. Pharaoh asked him, 'To whom do I resemble, and my soldiers, to whom do they resemble?' He replied, 'My lord, you resemble the moon, and your soldiers resemble the planets and stars.' He said to him, 'Go, and come tomorrow.' Then Pharaoh ordered his officials to wear differently colored and shaped garments, while he himself wore a red velvet robe. He sat on his throne and commanded Abikam to be brought before him. Abikam entered and prostrated before him. Pharaoh asked him, 'To whom do I resemble, and my officials, to whom do they resemble?' He replied, 'My lord, you resemble the month of April, and your officials resemble its flowers and blossoms.'

When the king heard this, he was filled with great joy and said, 'O Abikam, the first time you likened me to the Bel idol and my officials to its servants, the second time you likened me to the sun and my soldiers to its rays, the third time you likened me to the moon and my nobles to the stars and planets, and the fourth time you likened me to the month of April and my officials to its flowers and blossoms. Now tell me, your lord Sennacherib, to whom does he resemble, and his officials, to whom do they resemble?' Haiqar shouted loudly and said, 'Far be it from me to mention my lord with my mouth while you are sitting on your throne. Instead, stand on your feet so that I can say to you, to whom does my lord resemble, and his officials, to whom do they resemble?' Pharaoh was astonished by the audacity of his tongue and his courage in speaking, then he rose from his throne and stood before Haiqar and said to him, 'Speak now, so I can see, to whom does your lord resemble?' 'My lord resembles the god of the heavens, and his officials resemble lightning and thunder. If he wills, the winds blow, and the rain falls. He commands the thunder to thunder and lightning. He can order the sun not to give its light, and the moon and the stars not to move. If he commands storms, they blow, and rains and hail fall. He strikes down April and scatter its flowers and blossoms.'

When Pharaoh heard this speech, he was filled with great perplexity and became extremely agitated. He said to him, 'O man, what is your name? Tell me the truth, let me know who you really are.' Haiqar replied, 'My name is Haiqar, the chief officials of my lord Sennacherib the king. I am his minister, the overseer of his affairs, and the keeper of his secrets.' He said to him, 'You have spoken the truth, O wise one, in this matter. However, we have heard that Haiqar was killed by his master, and here you are, alive.' Haiqar replied to him, 'Yes, that is true, but praise be to God, the Knower of the hidden things. Indeed, my master ordered my execution, and he was influenced by the words of the corrupt. But the Lord saved me, and blessed are those who trust in Him.' Pharaoh ordered him to leave and return the next day. He said to him, 'Reflect for me on the words I have never heard from any of my officials or the people of my kingdom and city.' Haiqar went to his house and wrote a letter saying as follows: 'From Sennacherib the king to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, greetings. You know, my brother, that a brother needs his brother, and kings need each other. I kindly request from you, my brother, to lend me nine hundred talents of gold, for I require provisions for some of my troops, and shortly I will send it back to you.'

Then he rolled up the parchment and presented it to Pharaoh the next morning. When Pharaoh read it, he marveled and said, 'By the truth, I have never heard these words from anyone before.' Haiqar replied, 'Indeed, this is a debt that you owe to my master.' Pharaoh accepted this and said, 'O Haiqar, one like you who serves kings, blessed be God who has endowed you with wisdom, adorned you with philosophy and knowledge. Now, our request from you is to build for me a lofty palace between the heavens and the earth.' Haiqar replied, 'I hear and obey. I will build the palace for you as you desire and choose. However, provide me with limestone, stone, clay, and laborers. I have skilled builders who will construct it according to your wishes.' So the king approved all of this, and they went to a spacious location. Haiqar went there with his servants, taking the eagles and the boys with him. The king, along with his officials and all his nobles, also went. The entire city gathered to see what Haiqar would do. At that moment, Haiqar brought out the boxes, and from them, he brought out the eagles.

He tied the boys to their backs and fastened the straps to their legs. Then he released them into the sky, and they soared until they were between the heavens and the earth. They started crying out, saying, 'Send us clay, stone, and lime, so we can build a palace for King Pharaoh, for we are standing idle.' Everyone was astonished, and the king and his nobles were perplexed. Haiqar and his men began to chastise the laborers and shouted at the king's soldiers, telling them to provide the builders with what they needed and not to hinder them in their work. The king said to him, 'You are mad, Haiqar! Who can reach anything at this height?' Haiqar replied, 'My lord, it is your people who are mad. If my king were here, he would build two palaces in a single day.' Pharaoh told him, 'Go, Haiqar, and rest in your house today. We have passed on the palace but come to me tomorrow.' So, Haiqar did as the king ordered and appeared before him in the morning. Pharaoh said to Haiqar, 'Haiqar, how did your lord's horse fare? Because when it neighs in Atur and Nineveh, our horses hear its voice from here, and they cast their young.'

Haiqar left him and went away. Then he took a cat, tied it up, and began to flog it severely, so much so that the Egyptians heard its cries and went to inform Pharaoh. Pharaoh immediately sent for Haiqar and asked him, 'Haiqar, for what reason are you beating this cat, as it is a dumb animal?' Haiqar replied, 'My lord, it has committed a heinous act and deserves this punishment. My lord, the King Sennacherib had given me a beautiful rooster with a powerful and accurate voice that could even tell the hours of the night. This mischievous cat killed it during the night and severed its head. For this reason, I have beaten it. Pharaoh said to Haiqar, 'Haiqar, I see that every time you grow older, you become more delusional. There are three hundred and sixty farsakhs between Egypt and Nineveh. How could the cat have traveled this distance in one night, cut off the rooster's head, and returned?' Haiqar replied, 'If there is such a great distance between Egypt and Nineveh, how is it that when my lord's horse neighs, your horses hear it from here and cast their young? How can the sound of the horse reach Egypt?' When Pharaoh heard this, he realized that Haiqar had answered his question.

So he said to him, 'Haiqar, what do you say about a man who built a cylinder with eight thousand seven hundred and sixty-three bricks, bound it with three hundred and sixty-five stones, and planted twelve trees in its center, each tree having thirty branches, and on each branch, there are two clusters, one white and one black?' So Haiqar said to him, 'This parable is known to the cowherds of Atur and Nineveh. The builder is God Almighty, the cylinder represents the year, the eight thousand seven hundred and sixty-three bricks are the hours of the year, the three hundred and sixty-five stones are the days of the year, the twelve trees are the twelve months, the thirty branches are the thirty days of each month, and the white and black clusters represent day and night.' Pharaoh said to Haiqar, 'Haiqar, fetch me two ropes made of sea sand.' Haiqar replied, 'My lord, order your servants to bring out a rope from the treasury so that I can make one like it.' Haiqar went to the back of the house and pierced two holes the thickness of the ropes. He then took a handful of sand from the sea and exposed it to the sun.

As the sun rose, the sand hardened until it became like a rope. Haiqar said to Pharaoh, 'Command your servants to take these ropes, and whenever you wish, I will make ropes like them for you.' Pharaoh said to Haiqar, 'Here we have a broken millstone, and I want you to sew it.' At that moment, Haiqar looked at another stone and said, 'My lord, I am a stranger here and I do not have a sewing needle. I request that you allow your cobblers to make awls, thread, and shears so that I can sew it for you.' The king and all his officials laughed and said, 'Blessed be God who has endowed you with wisdom and knowledge.' When Pharaoh saw that Haiqar had responded to him and resolved his inquiries, he was humbled at that moment. He immediately ordered that a tribute of three years be gathered for him, along with what the king owed him. He bestowed robes of honor upon him and his army, and provided them with provisions for the journey.

He said to him, 'Go in peace, O Haiqar, the pride of your master and the glory of your teacher. Only persons like you are fit for managing kings and rulers. Convey my greetings to your master, King Sennacherib, and tell him not to blame us for what we have given you, for kings are content with little.' Haiqar accepted this, and he kissed the ground before Pharaoh. He said to him, 'I request, my lord, that you order that no one remains in the land of Egypt from the land of Atur and Nineveh, except to accompany Haiqar.' Pharaoh then sent out a herald who proclaimed exactly as Haiqar had requested. At that moment, Haiqar took his leave of the king, and he departed along with his soldiers and those from his land, heading towards Atur and Nineveh. When the news reached Sennacherib, he went out to meet Haiqar and greeted him with great joy. He embraced him, saying, 'Welcome, my brother, the pride of my realm, and the glory of my kingdom. Ask of me whatever you desire and choose what you will even if it was the half my kingdom and what I possess.' Haiqar said to him, 'May you live forever, my lord. I request from you to bestow your blessings upon Abu Samik, the executioner, for through God and him, I have been granted a second chance at life.'

He said to him, 'For your sake, my dear.' Sennacherib then began to ask Haiqar about what had transpired with Pharaoh and about the parables and symbols. Haiqar presented Sennacherib with the treasures, gifts, tribute, and the bestows that Pharaoh had given him. Sennacherib was overjoyed and said to Haiqar, 'Take whatever you choose and desire from all of these.' Haiqar responded, 'May you live long, my lord. I desire nothing more than your well-being. What would I do with wealth and other things? I request from your generosity that you honor me by allowing me to deal with my nephew Nadan, so that I may seek retribution for his actions and shed his blood, granting me permission to do so.' Sennacherib said to him, 'Take him, I have given him to you.' Haiqar took Nadan and bound him with iron chains. He tied his hands and feet and severely beat him from morning until evening on his legs, back, abdomen, and soles of his feet. After the beating, he threw him into a dark place next to the toilet and appointed Nabuhal as his guard. He ordered that Nadan be given a loaf of bread and a small amount of water every day. And every time Haiqar would enter or leave, he would reprimand him, saying:

My son, I have treated you with all kindness and goodness, and in return, you have shown me nothing but death.

My son, it has been said in proverbs, 'Whoever does not listen with their ears will listen with the back of their neck.'

Then Nadan said to him, 'Why are you angry with me, my uncle?' Haiqar replied, 'It is because I honored you, dignified you, and raised you well. I taught you to become my heir in knowledge, wisdom, and manners. Yet, you sought to kill me and intended my destruction, but the Lord saved me. He knows that I am wronged because the Lord strengthens the hearts of the broken and humbles the proud and envious.'

My son, you have become to me like a scorpion that, when it strikes its stinger into a rock, pierces it.

My son, you have become like the goat that ate the madder's root. The madder said to her, 'Today, feed on me and enjoy. Tomorrow, they will tan your skin into my veins.'

My son, you have become like a man who took a stone and threw it towards the sky to stone his Lord with it, but the stone neither reached its target nor caused any harm. Instead, he only earned sin and wrongdoing.

My son, you have become like a person who looked at his naked companion during the winter and poured cold water over him.

My son, if you had honored and respected me, and listened to my words, you would have inherited me and taken my place. Know that even if the pig's tail had ten arms in length, it would never attain the status of a horse, even if its hair were softer than silk and finer than linen.

My son, I had hoped that you would become my heir after my death. But because of your envy and wickedness, you sought to kill me. However, the Lord saved me.

My son, you have become like the lion who had a donkey companion. The donkey served the lion for a long time until it became fat. Then the lion pounced on the donkey and devoured it.

My son, you have become like the weevil in the wheat. It is of no use; instead, it spoils the wheat and makes it moldy.

My son, you have become like a person who sows ten measures of wheat. When it was time to harvest, he harvested it, threshed it, and ground it, exerting the utmost effort. Yet, it yielded only ten measures as well. He said to it, 'I wish you had not grown or become.'

My son, you have become to me like a trapped partridge, unable to free itself, but rather calling other partridges to it.

My son, you have become like the dog that sought warmth in the pottery house. When it got warm, it began to bark at them, so they beat it and drove it away, fearing it might bite them.

My son, you have become like the one who entered the bathhouse with the nobles, but when he came out, he looked at the dung and wallowed in it.

My son, you have become like the goat that enters among its companions in the slaughterhouse and cannot save its own life.

My son, the dog that does not feed on its own prey becomes food for other dogs.

My son, a hand that does not work, toils, and strives, ends up cutting from its own elbows.

My son, you have become to me like the tree they intended to cut down, and it said to them, 'If it were not for what you already have from me, you would not have been able to cut me.'

My son, you are like the cat they told, 'Give up stealing, and we will make golden necklaces and feed you sweets and almonds.' But she replied, 'I will never forsake the craft of my father and ancestors.'

My son, you have become like a snake riding on a thorn bush in the middle of the river. The wolf looked and said, 'evil upon evil, and the most evil of them will control both of them.'

My son, I provided you with good food, yet you fed me stale bread. I am the sweetness and the fine drink that I gave you to drink, but you are stagnant water from a well that you offered me to drink. I taught you and raised you, bringing you into existence, but you dug a pit for me and hid me. I nurtured you with the best upbringing, and you grew tall like a cedar, but your many wickednesses have bowed me and bent me.

My son, I thought you would build for me a strong fortress to seek refuge in from my enemies, but you have become to me like a burial, burying me deep within the earth. However, the Lord has shown me mercy.

My son, I intended good for you, but you rewarded me with evil and ugliness. Now, I want to pluck out your eyes, make you prey for beasts, cut your tongue, take your head with a sword, and repay you for your wicked deeds in kind.

Then Nadan replied and said to Haiqar, 'Deal with me in accordance with your customary kindness and forgive my sins. For someone like me errs, and someone like you forgives. Accept me now to serve in your house, tend to your horses, sweep the dung of your house, and tend to your pigs. For I am the wicked one, and you are the righteous one. I am the sinner, and you are the forgiver.'

Haiqar said to him, "My son, you are like the tree that was by the water, bearing no fruit. Its owner wanted to cut it down. So it said to him, 'Transplant me to another place, and if I do not bear fruit there, then you can cut me down.' The owner said to it, 'You were by the water and did not bear fruit, so how can you bear fruit in another place?'"

My son, the old age of an eagle is better than the youth of a crow.

My son, they told the wolf to stay away from the sheep lest their dust harms you. He replied, 'Their dust is beneficial for my eyes.'

My son, they brought the wolf to school to learn how to read. The teacher said to him, "Say 'alif, ba, ta.'" The wolf replied, 'A lamb, a goat, a kid, just like in my heart.'

My son, they placed the donkey's head on the table, and it fell down, starting to roll in the dirt. They said, 'Let it roll; its nature wo not change.'

My son, the saying has been proven true: when you give birth to a son, you call him 'your son,' but when you raise a son, you call him 'your servant.'

My son, the one who does good will find goodness, and the one who does evil will find evil, for the Lord rewards each person according to their deeds.

My son, what more can I say to you than these words? For God knows the hidden things, He knows the secrets and the thoughts. He will reward you and judge between you and me, and He will give you what you deserve.