This is the story of Haiqar, the wise minister of Sennacherib, King of Assyria. In the days of King Sennacherib son of Sarhadum, King of Assyria, Nineveh and Mosul, there was a man named Haiqar.

This man was the king's vizier, secretary and administrator of his domain. He was a philosopher, a wise and learned man well-versed in all affairs. He was extremely wealthy, possessing many servants, slaves, concubines, horses, donkeys, camels and other livestock, as well as soldiers - things too numerous to describe. He had sixty wives whom he had married, and each wife had her own palace. However, he was not blessed with any children from all of them to inherit his knowledge, wisdom and wealth. One day, he gathered the sorcerers, astrologers and diviners and complained to them about his childlessness. They told him, "Go to the idols, offer them sacrifices and incense, and beseech them - perhaps they will grant you a son who will gladden your heart." So he did as they said - he offered sacrifices to the idols and beseeched them, but they did not help him in any way. He remained confused, thoughtfully saddened at heart. Then he turned to God the Exalted in tears, humility and sighing, saying: "O God of the heavens and earth, O Creator of all creatures, I ask of You to bestow upon me a son so I may find comfort in him, so he may attend my burial and inherit from me." Then a voice came to him in a dream, saying, "Because you relied upon the impure idols and offered them sacrifices, for this reason you have neither sons nor daughters. But behold, here is your nephew Nadan - take him and make him your son. Teach him your knowledge, wisdom and understanding so that he may inherit from you." Upon this, he brought Nadan to himself. Nadan was still a small boy, so he entrusted him to wet nurses and nannies to raise him. They raised him with modesty, pampering, fine and delicious foods, silk clothing, velvet, purple, and other luxuries.

When Nadan grew up, walked, and blossomed like a cedar of Lebanon, he taught him manners, knowledge, reading, and all kinds of philosophy. One day, King Sennacherib summoned Haiqar and said to him: "O noble, honorable and beloved friend, my vizier, secretary, confidant, administrator of my affairs and state - behold, you have grown old and feeble with age, and your death approaches. Tell me, who will take your place and serve me, managing my affairs?" Haiqar replied: "May your lord the king live forever. Here is my nephew Nadan, whom I have taken as my son and taught all the wisdom, philosophy and good manners that I possess. He shall stand in your service." The king said to him, "Bring him before me so that I may look upon him. If I find him suitable, I will appoint him in your place and release you, so that you may rest and sleep in peace with dignity in your old age." At that, Haiqar went to his home, brought Nadan and dressed him in fine robes. He took him to the court of King Sennacherib. Nadan came forward, kissed the king's hand and stood erect beside him. When the king looked upon Nadan, he rejoiced greatly and said to Haiqar, "I pray to the Exalted God that just as you were a servant and administrator of the state of my father Sarhadum and then of mine afterwards, so too may your son Nadan serve me, carry out my duties, and manage my kingdom. I shall honor and cherish him for your sake." Haiqar prostrated to the king and said, "May you live forever, my lord. I hope by your grace that you will be patient with my son Nadan and forgive his mistakes, so that he may serve you appropriately." The king swore to him that he would make Nadan the most beloved and honest of his friends, granting him all honor and respect.

The wise Haiqar kissed the king's hand, then took Nadan and returned with him to his home. He placed Nadan in seclusion and began teaching him day and night, filling him with knowledge, wisdom, literature, and philosophy more than with bread and water. He would teach him, saying:

O my son Nadan, listen to my words and follow my advice. Remember what I say and the lessons I teach you.

O my son, if you hear a word, let it die in your heart and do not reveal it to others, lest it become a burning coal that scorches your tongue and puts pain in your heart, brings you shame, and makes you embarrassed before God and people.

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

O my son, make your speech gentle for the listener, and do not hasten to answer hastily.

O my son, do not desire external beauty, for it fades and passes away. But good reputation endures and remains forever.

O my son, do not take for yourself a woman who is foolish in her speech, lest she cause you to die the worst of deaths. She will entangle you in snares, and you will be trapped [in her pits].

O my son, do not desire a woman who is adorned with clothing and perfumes, while she is insolent and foolish in herself. Beware of obeying her in anything or handing over to her what is in your hand, lest you earn sin and incur God's wrath upon yourself.

O my son, do not be like the almond tree that sprouts leaves before all other trees but is the last of all to bear fruit. Rather, be like the mulberry tree that bears fruit before all other trees but is the last of all to sprout leaves.

O my son, lower your head down and soften your voice when you laugh or speak. Be polite and walk in the paths of righteousness, and do not be foolish. For if a loud voice could build palaces, the donkey would build many houses every day due to its braying.

O my son, transporting stones with a wise man is better than drinking wine with a vile man.

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

O my son, stick with wise people who fear God and be like them. Do not get close to the ignorant, lest you become like them and learn their ways.

O my son, when you acquire a friend or companion, test him beforehand. After that, befriend him. Do not praise him without prior experience, and do not spoil your words with a man who is not wise.

O my son, as long as you have shoes on your feet, walk on thorns with them and clear a path for your children and grandchildren. Repair your ship before the sea becomes rough and its waves drown you.

O my son, if a rich man eats a snake, people will say it is out of wisdom, but if a poor man eats it, people will say it is out of hunger.

O my son, be content with your own sustenance and wealth, and do not desire the sustenance of others.

[O my son], do not neighbor with fools and do not eat bread with them or share secrets with them.

[O my son], do not rejoice in the distress of your neighbors. And if your enemy does evil to you, repay him with kindness and generosity.

O my son, a foolish person stumbles and falls, but a wise man remains firm and steady. And if he falls, he is able to pick himself back up. But a foolish ignorant person has no ability to do so.

O my son, if a man inferior to you greets you, stand up and greet him back. If he does not respect you, then God will compensate you for that.

O my son, do not neglect disciplining your son with hitting, for disciplining a son is like fertilizer to a garden, and like tying the mouth of a sack, and like tying an animal, and like closing a door.

O my son, discipline your child from evil and teach him good manners before he grows up and rebels against you, humiliating you in front of your companions, bowing your head in streets and gatherings due to his bad deeds for which you will be held accountable.

O my son, acquire for yourself a square-built bull with strong ribs, and a large-hoofed donkey. But do not acquire a two-horned bull, or befriend a bearded man, or acquire a runaway slave, or a thieving maidservant. For they will destroy everything you entrust to them.

O my son, do not let your parents go hungry or they will curse you and God will respond [to their invocation]. For it has been said that whoever curses his parents will die - meaning the death of sin. And whoever honors his parents will have a long life on earth and encounter all goodness.

O my son, do not walk in a road without weapons because you do not know where the enemy may find you.

O my son, be like a tree shaded by its branches and leaves, for such is a man with his wife, siblings and children. As for the man without children, a wife, or siblings, he is in this world detested by his enemies, despised by them, like a tree that bears no fruit or leaves.

O my son, do not say that your master is foolish while I am wise, and do not speak of your master with words of ignorance and foolishness, lest you be considered contemptible in his eyes.

O my son, do not be among the slaves to whom their masters say, 'leave us alone', but rather be among those whose masters say to them, 'come nearer and come to us.'

O my son, do not insult your Lord, lest He be angered with you.

O my son, the goat that walks too much becomes food for the wolf.

O my son, embellish your speech and adorn your tongue, and do not allow your companion to step on your face lest he steps on your chest (as well).

O my son, strike the wise man with words of wisdom and it will find residence in his heart, and the ignorant man, if you strike him with a stick, he will not understand or comprehend.

O my son, if you send a wise person on your errand, do not overburden them with instructions. And if you send a fool, do not instruct them at all, rather quickly carry out the task yourself.

[O my son], beware of making an enemy of a man stronger than you, for perhaps he will weigh heavily against you and avenge himself upon you.

O my son, test your son and your slave before handing over your wealth and provision to them, for the one with full hands is called wise, while the one with empty hands is called poor.

O my son, I have eaten a colocynth, and swallowed aloes, and I have found nothing more bitter than poverty and scarcity.

O my son, teach your son hardship and hunger so that he properly manages his household.

O my son, do not teach the fool words of wisdom, and if hardship befalls you and harm afflicts you, do not reveal your situation to your companion, lest you be regarded by him as contemptible because of deficiencies.

O my son, blindness of the eye is better than blindness of the heart, for the blind [person] finds their way little by little, but as for the blindness of the heart, they do not understand nor find guidance, but rather leave the straight path and proceed in deviation. A person's stumbling by their leg is better than their stumbling by their tongue.

O my son, a righteous companion is better than good gold, for gold depletes while a good reputation lasts and remains forever. Beauty fades and knowledge perishes, while this world passes away and ends, but a good reputation endures forever, never fading or passing away.

O my son, a man who finds no comfort in his life, death is better for him than life, and the sound of crying is better than the sound of singing, for in sorrow and crying there is fear of God.

O my son, little earned wealth is better than great wealth that is scattered. A living dog is better than a dead lion. And a poor man who works is better than a rich man who is dead due to his sins.

O my son, deposit wisdom in your heart - that is better for you. And beware of revealing your companion's secret, and do not utter a word from your lips before consulting your heart. And if you hear a word from someone, deposit it in your heart, for leaving words unsaid is better for you.

O my son, do not stand between those who quarrel, for from bad words come disputes, and from disputes comes war, and from war comes fighting, so you will become involved in giving testimony, so flee from there and rest at ease.

O my son, do not resist one who is greater than you, but acquire for yourself a long spirit, forbearance and righteous conduct, for there is nothing better than these.

O my son, do not hate your first friend, for the second one does not offer stability.

O my son, visit the poor when they are in distress and speak up for them before the sultan, and make an effort to rescue them from the mouth of the lion.

O my son, do not rejoice in the death of your enemy, for in a little while you will be a neighbor to them. And whoever is lesser than you, honor them and greet them first with greetings.

O my son, if the water stands still in streams, and sparrows fly to the sky, and the black crow turns white, and the bitter [thing] becomes sweet like honey - then perhaps an ignorant and foolish person can understand and behave well.

O my son, if you want to become wise, control your tongue from speaking lies, your hands from stealing, and your eyes from looking at harmful things. Then you can be called wise.

[O my son], be humble and gentle in your youth, so that you may be honored in your old age.

O my son, do not stand against a man during his time of leadership, and do not oppose the river in its rising.

[O my son], do not involve yourself in a marriage matter, for if it turns out well, they will not thank you, and if it turns out bad, they will blame and curse you.

O my son, if you steal something and the sultan find out about it, give him a portion of it so you can get rid of. And if you do not give him, you will taste bitterness.

O my son, befriend one whose hand is full and satisfied, and do not befriend one whose hand is clenched from hunger.

O my son, four things do not remain steady with a kingdom: the soldiers, mismanagement, evil intention, and injustice towards the subjects. And four things never go unnoticed: the wise, the foolish, the rich, and the poor.

When Haiqar the wise man finished instructing and teaching his nephew Nadan, the son of his sister, and he thought that he had preserved everything, but he did not know that instead of these teachings Nadan repaid him with insults and curses. And Nadan wherever he was present would insult his uncle Haiqar and defame him among the people, and say that he has become senile and gone mad and does not know anything anymore. And Nadan began squandering the wealth, selling the horses and camels, beating the slaves and slave-girls, and squandering everything that his uncle used to own.

When Haiqar saw that Nadan had no mercy upon him nor upon his possessions, he expelled him from his house and informed King Sennacherib about him. So the king summoned him (Nadan) to him and said to him: "You have no authority over anything that belongs to your uncle Haiqar as long as he is alive."

After that Haiqar remained saddened in his heart over the hardship he endured with Nadan. And Nadan had a young brother called Naburzadan, so Haiqar took him instead of Nadan and honored him greatly, and entrusted him with all his house and possessions, and made him the manager of his household and affairs.

When the foolish Nadan saw what had happened, envy and jealousy overtook him. And he began complaining to everyone he met, and saying that his uncle expelled me from his house and favored my brother over me, but if God decrees it I will assault him in a way that leads to killing him. Then some few days and years passed, so Nadan went and wrote a letter saying as follows, “From Sennacherib, King of Assyria and Nineveh, to Akish son of Salim Shah, King of Persia and the Ajam (non-Arabs). Peace be upon you, O mighty king. And that upon the arrival of this letter to you, you should come to the region of Assyria and Nineveh and I will hand over the kingdom to you without war or battle."

And he also wrote a letter to the Pharaoh, King of Egypt, in the name of Haiqar, saying as follows: 'Peace, greetings and honor be upon you, O mighty king. And that upon the arrival of this letter to you, you should mobilize your army and come to the location of Nissrin where I hand Assyria and Nineveh over to you without war or fighting.' And Nadan's handwriting resembled that of his uncle Haiqar.

Then he sealed both letters with his uncle Haiqar's seal and threw them in the king's palace, so they would be found and delivered to the king. Then he also wrote a letter in the name of Sennacherib the king to his uncle Haiqar, saying: 'Complete greetings to my vizier and confidant Haiqar. And that upon receiving this letter, you should mobilize whatever troops you have and equip them fully with weapons and splendid attire, and go out with them on Thursday to the location of Nissrin. So when you see me coming towards you, incite the troops as if they were going to war, because I have envoys from the Pharaoh king of Egypt with me, so they can see the strength of our troops and we will gain respect and awe from them, as they are our enemies.'

Then he sealed the letter and sent it with one of the king's servants to Haiqar. And he took the two letters and entered to Sennacherib the king and gave them to him. When the king read them and saw the seal, he became extremely furious and perplexed, and said to Nadan: 'What wrong did I do to Haiqar that he wrote these letters to my enemies, instead of the honor and dignity I gave him, repaying me with this evil ingratitude?' Nadan said to him: 'Do not be angry or worried, my king, but know the truth by going to the location of Nissrin on Thursday and see what the situation is.' Then they rode - the king, Nadan and the rest of the troops - and went and found it just as written, so the troops turned aligned as if ready for war with full preparation and weapons, and Haiqar riding at the front of the troops as mentioned in the letter.

When the king saw that, he became extremely angry and distressed. Nadan said to him: 'Do not worry or grieve, O my king. I will take care of this matter for you. Go back to your palace happily, for I will bring Haiqar to you bound in chains to be before you, and you can do to him whatever you wish.'

Then the king returned, perplexed and thinking about what Haiqar had done to him. Nadan went to his uncle Haiqar and said to him: 'The king was pleased by what you did and was happy with it. He sent me to tell you to release the troops to leave, and for you to come bound in chains to his presence, so that the envoys of Pharaoh can see the might of the king.' So he obeyed and dismissed the troops, then came bound in chains to the presence of his master Sennacherib. He entered, kissed the ground and prostrated to the king. The king said to him: 'O Haiqar, my scribe, vizier and confidant, what have I done to you that you returned my good with these evil deeds?' Then he showed him the letters in his handwriting and with his seal. When Haiqar saw them and read them, he was ashamed, his limbs trembled and his tongue stuck for a moment as he was unable to speak. At that, the king ordered that he be taken and his neck be struck outside the city. Nadan cried out and said to Haiqar: 'You who are blackened of face, what has your deception and treachery benefited you now?'

Haiqar prostrated before the king and said to him: 'O my king and master, if it is your choice, may your head live forever. But I ask of you to order the executioner to strike my neck at the door of my house, and give my body to my servants to bury me, and let your servant be ransomed for you.' At that, the king ordered the executioner to cut off Haiqar's neck at the door of his house, and to separate his head from his [body] by a hundred cubits. So the executioner and the king's servants took him and proceeded with him to his house.

Haiqar sent with some of his servants, saying to his wife whose name was Esfigini, and she was wise, intelligent and discerning, to take with her a thousand virgin girls and dress them in fine clothes so that they may wail and cry for him before his death. And prepare a table and drinks for the executioner and the king's servants so that they may eat and drink. Esfigini did as Haiqar commanded her.

Then [...]. Haiqar turned to the executioner as they were walking on the road, and said to him: "O Abu Samik, look to God the Almighty, and know the truth of friendship, bread and salt that we all ate together, and know the good deed that I did for you when King Sarhadum wanted to kill you and ordered me to do so, but I hid you until his anger subsided, then I brought you out and the king was pleased with you." And I also know that I am not guilty, but rather my nephew Nadan, son of my sister, deceived and betrayed me. And I know that the king will regret me and be happy with me if he finds me, and will reward you. So do with me as I did for you before, and know that I have a small cave in the threshold of my house, which no one knows about except my wife. So hide me in it. And I have a servant boy in prison who deserves to die, so take him out and dress him in my clothes. Food and drink have been prepared for the king's servants, let them eat and drink. So when you kill my servant boy, they will not know whose execution it was. And leave me in the cistern, for I know the king will deeply regret me. And you will rise to the highest position through this." So the executioner did as Haiqar had said to him. He placed Haiqar in the cistern and cut off the head of the servant, separating it from his body by a hundred cubits. And the king's servants were eating and drinking.

Then they departed to the king and informed him of the killing of the wise Haiqar. And they said to him: 'May the king live forever.' So the king was enraged by that and regretted it, when regret was of no use to him. Then he called Nadan and said to him: 'Go and take your loved ones, and conduct the mourning and weeping over your uncle Haiqar as is customary, out of respect for his status.' So when the foolish, hard-hearted Nadan went to his uncle Haiqar's house, he did not weep or mourn, not a single tear was shed from him. Rather, he gathered corrupt and depraved people like himself, and began eating, drinking, dancing and singing. He seized his uncle's slaves and handmaidens, stripped them, whipped and beat them. And he did not refrain from his uncle's wife who had raised him like her own son, but rather intended to commit sinful acts with her. As for Haiqar, he was in the cistern hearing the weeping of his slaves and handmaidens, praising and thanking God, patiently enduring all of that. And his wife would bring him every Friday enough food and drink to suffice him, and no one else knew about it except her and Abu Sameek the executioner. And the executioner would come to him every now and then to check on him.

Then after some days, news spread throughout the lands of Assyria and Nineveh that the wise Haiqar had been killed and died. So the people of all the lands mourned and wept for him, and they said 'What a pity for you, O wise and skillful Haiqar, the well-ordered administrator. Where will one find your equal? O just and fair one in judgment, how grievous is the loss of your wisdom and knowledge.' When the King of Egypt heard about the killing of the wise Haiqar, he rejoiced greatly for it, because he was King Sennacherib's enemy. Pharaoh sent a message saying: "Complete peace, greetings and honor from Pharaoh, King of Egypt, to Sennacherib, King of Assyria and Nineveh. Know, O brother, that I desired for myself a palace between the sky and earth, and I want you to send me from your place a skillful, intelligent man to build it for me and answer me regarding everything I ask him about. If you do that for me, I will send you Egypt's tribute and taxes for three years. And if you do not send me what I requested from you, or send me Assyria's tribute and taxes for three years, or else it will be between us by the sword."

When the letter reached King Sennacherib and he read it and understood its contents, he suffered a great distress and pain. Then he summoned the leaders of his kingdom, all the scholars, philosophers, sorcerers and astrologers who were in his realm and read them the letter. He said to them: "Who among you will go to Pharaoh, King of Egypt, and respond to his message and questions?" They said to him: "Know, O noble King, that solving and explaining this letter and its problems and questions was something that none could bear except your vizier Haiqar. As for us, we do not have knowledge of them. But Nadan, son of his sister, used to have his wisdom, knowledge and intellect. So summon him to you, perhaps he can solve these problems." Upon that, he summoned Nadan and showed him the letter. When Nadan read it, he replied and said to the king: "O my master, leave people to talk nonsense. Who can build a palace between the sky and earth?"

When the king heard Nadan's words, he was greatly saddened and descended from his throne. He began to weep and mourn, saying "Woe is me, O teacher of my land and administrator of my kingdom, where can I find one like you? Where can I look for you? Where can I find you? How I regret losing and dispensing with you because of the words of an ignorant boy with no religion or manners. Oh, then oh to anyone who could have brought Haiqar back to life, I would have given them half my kingdom. But from where can one like him come to me?" And he wept and mourned over him with a burning heart. When the executioner saw what grief the king was in over Haiqar, he stepped forward, prostrated before the king and said to him: "O my master, order your servants to cut off my head."

The king said: "Woe to you, what have you done to deserve death and warrant being killed?" The executioner said to him: "O my master, every servant who disobeys his master's command deserves death." The king said to him: "And what is your sin, O Abu Samik?" He said: "O my master, you had ordered me to kill Haiqar but I hid him, and I did not kill him but rather killed one of his servants instead. And your vizier Haiqar is alive. So if you wish, kill me, and if you wish, free me." When the king heard these words, his heart pounded and trembled, and he said to the executioner: "Do you toy with your master, O Abu Samik?" The executioner said: "Far be it from me, O my master. But if you command me, I will present him before you within this hour." The king said: "O righteous servant, if your words are true, I will give you whatever you want or desire from me, O noble one." The executioner immediately rode and went to Haiqar's house. He opened the cellar and went down to him, saying "God has commanded joy, O my master Haiqar. The king has asked for you and cannot believe he will see you." So Haiqar rose, rode and came with the executioner to the king. He entered to him, prostrated and kissed his hand. When the king saw him, his mind flew with joy and wonder overcame him. He began kissing Haiqar and weeping upon seeing him in a state of non-existence, as his body had deteriorated and his color changed, and he remained like wild beasts with his long hair and talon-like nails. The king was greatly perplexed as to how he saw him alive after being killed. He thanked God Almighty and said to Haiqar: "What is it you desire from me, O noble one?" Haiqar said to him: "May you live forever, O my master. I want you to favor Abu Sameek the executioner, for he obeyed my counsel and so it was that you received this great joy and I obtained life again by his hand. Favor him with a great favor and promise him to grant him whatever he wishes." Then he said to Haiqar, "Blessed be God who has returned you to me, and revealed that you were wronged and saved you from killing."

Haiqar said: "O my master, these are the deeds of illegitimate children. I had raised a palm tree for myself to lean on, but it bent down and threw me. But O my master, now that I am present before you, do not be troubled by any matter, and do not let anything upset you, with God Almighty's help." The king said to him: "Go, my noble one, to your home. Bathe in the bathhouse, cut your nails and shave your head, and care for your body for forty days. Then come to me, and I will speak with you." At that, Haiqar prostrated to the king, kissed his hand, and rode to his home with great honor and abundant gifts.

He sat in comfort and bliss for forty days, until his strength and color returned to him. Then he presented himself before the king and greeted him. The king returned his greeting and received him cordially. Then the king presented to him the messages that Pharaoh had sent, and said to him: "O noble Haiqar, see what the Egyptians have sent us after your death. They have overcome and subjugated us, and the people of our land have fled to Egypt in fear of the taxes the King of Egypt demands from us." When Haiqar read the messages and letters, he smiled laughing and said to the king: "Be at ease and relieved, O my master. I will go to Egypt to Pharaoh the King and give him all his answers, and respond to all his questions. I will obtain Egypt's taxes and tribute for you, and return all those who fled from your land. And with God Almighty's help, I will humiliate all your enemies." The king rejoiced with immense joy, and bestowed abundant favors upon Haiqar and the executioner. Haiqar said to the king: "O my master, grant me forty days to settle my affairs," and the king permitted him to do so.

Haiqar went to his home and ordered hunters to hunt for him two young eagles. He ordered two strips of cotton to be prepared, each one thousand cubits long and as thick as a thumb. He brought carpenters who made two large boxes for him. He had two young boys named Banuhal and Tabsham with him. Every day he would slaughter two lambs to feed the eagles and boys. He tied the boys to the backs of the eagles and gradually lifted them higher in the air, until they rose two thousand cubits into the sky, as he had trained them. He trained the boys that when they rose up, they should say "Bring us stones, mortar, dirt and clay, so we can build a palace for King Pharaoh in the air." He kept training them in this until they became perfectly able to do as he desired. He left them and went to the king Sennacherib, and said: "O my master, I have finished my work, so order me to go to Egypt to Pharaoh the King." He said to him: "Go in peace, O noble master." Then he gifted him presents for the King, servants and slaves, bade him farewell and Haiqar departed with those accompanying him, taking the boxes, eagles and boys. He traveled until he reached the lands of Egypt. When he arrived after a few days, and entered Egypt, he headed for King Pharaoh's lands. The people of Egypt were informed of this, and told Pharaoh that a man had come from King Sennacherib. So Pharaoh sent for him and had him brought before him. He entered, kissed the ground and greeted Pharaoh with gentle words. Pharaoh welcomed him warmly and said to him: "Welcome, wise one." Haiqar said to him: "My master King Sennacherib sends you abundant greetings. He has sent me to speak with you and take care of your affairs. I will do for you whatever you want or desire." Then he presented the gifts to him. Pharaoh accepted them and was pleased with them.

Pharaoh said to him: "Who are you and what is your name among King Sennacherib's armies?" Haiqar replied: "I am your servant Abiqam, I am but an ant among King Sennacherib's ants." Pharaoh said to him: "There was none nobler than you with your master, that he would send me an ant to speak with me." Haiqar said: "O my master, with God's help and your happiness, and the happiness of my master King Sennacherib, I will fulfill for you all your desires regarding the messages and other matters. You desired to build a palace in the sky, and my master sent me to fulfill your wishes. But on the condition of the decree you made regarding taxes and tribute for three years, that you supply it, for the decrees of kings are firm law. If I am unable, my master will send you the taxes and tribute for three years." When Pharaoh heard this reply, he was astonished by his eloquence and knowledge. He provided food, drink, clothing and other provisions for Haiqar and those with him, including servants and soldiers. Pharaoh also instructed servants and assistants to take care of Haiqar and his companions. After three days, King Pharaoh sent for Haiqar and had him brought to him. Pharaoh said: "O Abiqam, I wish to ask you a question." Pharaoh was seated on a throne decorated with precious gems. His servants were standing before him dressed in red uniforms. Pharaoh said: "O Abiqam, to whom do I resemble and whom do my soldiers resemble?" Haiqar replied: "O my master, you resemble the sun and your nobles resemble the sun's rays." Pharaoh said to Haiqar: "Go to your home, O Abiqam, and tomorrow come before me." He went as Pharaoh had said. The next day he came before Pharaoh. The King had dressed in white silk robes and was seated on his throne, and his soldiers were similarly dressed.

Pharaoh said: "O Abiqam, to whom do I resemble and my nobles resemble?" He replied: "O my master, you resemble the moon and your soldiers resemble the stars and planets." The king said: "Go, O Abiqam, and tomorrow come before the king." The king had dressed in red and black silk robes, and his soldiers were similarly dressed. He said to him: "O Abiqam, to whom do I resemble and my soldiers resemble?" He said to him: "O my master, you resemble the great idol Bel and your soldiers resemble its servants." The king said: "Go, O Abiqam, and tomorrow come." He went to his home and the next day he came before the king. The king had dressed in colorful robes and his nobles wore luxurious robes of various colors. He said to him: "O Abiqam, to whom do I resemble and my soldiers resemble?" He said to him: "O my master, you resemble the month of Nisan and your soldiers resemble its flowers and blossoms." The king was pleased to hear these words. He said: "O Abiqaam, the first time you compared me to the sun, and my nobles to the stars and planets. And the second time you compared me to the moon, and my nobles to the sun's rays. And the third time you compared me to the great idol Bel and my soldiers to its servants. And the fourth time you compared me to the month of Nisan and my soldiers to its flowers and blossoms. So tell me now to whom does your master King Sennacherib resemble, and his nobles whom do they resemble?" Haiqar spoke in a loud voice and said: "Far be it from me to mention my master the King while you are seated on your throne. Rather, stand up on your feet so I may tell you to whom my master resembles, and his soldiers whom they resemble." Pharaoh was amazed by Haiqar and stood up straight on his feet. He said to him: "Now compare your master so I may see."

Haiqar said, "My master the King resembles Bel the idol, who if he wishes, can destroy him, and scatter the month of Nisan and disperse its flowers, blossoms and leaves." When Pharaoh heard that, he became extremely angry and was puzzled by Haiqar's boldness of heart and tongue and his strong allegiance to his master. Pharaoh could do nothing, but said to him, "Speak the truth to me, man, who are you and what is your name?"

He said, "I am your servant Haiqar, the scribe of King Sennacherib, his vizier and one of his most distinguished men." Pharaoh said to him, "You speak truly, man, in these words, but we have heard that Haiqar was killed by his master, yet here you are alive and well." He said, "Yes, O my master, he had heard words from the corrupt, but God Almighty, to whom blessed is he who relies upon Him, saved me."

Pharaoh said to Haiqar, "Go now to your home, and tomorrow come to me. And say to me a word that I have never heard in my entire life from anyone ever before." Haiqar left and wrote a letter, rolled it up and brought it the next day to the king. He gave it to him. In it was written: "From Sennacherib, King of Assyria and Nineveh, to Pharaoh, King of Egypt - complete greetings, respect and honor. I inform you, O brother, that I have provided rations for the troops, but I have a small amount left over. I want you to lend me nine hundred qantars of gold so I can complete the rations, and after a short while I will return it to you." When Pharaoh read the letter, he was amazed and said truthfully that he had never heard these words before. He said to Haiqar, "One like you, who serves kings and manages them - blessed is God who has perfected you with wisdom, dignity, knowledge, and adorned you with philosophy."

Pharaoh said, "And now, my hope remains with you Haiqar, build for me a palace that is toweringly high in the sky." Haiqar said, "I hear and obey, O my master. I will build for you whatever you want, but provide me with the lime, stone, mud and workers, and I will bring the craftsmen." The king approved of all that.

At that, Haiqar brought out eagles and boys. He gathered the king, his army and the entire kingdom. He tied the boys to the backs of the eagles and released them into the sky with ropes. They rose up into the expanse and began calling out and screaming, "Send us mud, lime and stone so we can build King Pharaoh's palace, for we are standing here idle!"

The people and the king were astonished and perplexed by that matter. So Haiqar and his boys continued beating the workers and the king's soldiers, saying, "Send them what they need and do not hinder them from their work." When Pharaoh saw that, he said to Haiqar, "Are you mad or foolish? Who can send anything up to this height?" Haiqar said to him, "O my master, how will we build a palace in the sky? If my master Sennacherib was here, he would build two palaces in one day."

Pharaoh said to him, "O Haiqar, enough about building the palace. Go to your home, and come to me tomorrow." So he left, and the next day he returned to Pharaoh. The king said to him, "O Haiqar, how is it possible that if one of your master Sennacherib's horses neighs in the land of Assyria and Nineveh, our horses in Egypt would cast their young?" Haiqar left and took a large cat and started lashing and beating it with strong lashes. The Egyptians informed Pharaoh of this, so he sent for him and said: "O Haiqar, for what reason are you lashing and flogging this animal with such great lashes?" Haiqar said to him, "O my master, he has greatly wronged me." The king said, "And what is it?"

Haiqar said, "O my master, I had a magnificent rooster at home that my master the king had gifted to me. It had an excellent, lofty voice with which I knew the times of night and day. This corrupted one went during the night and cut off its head and came. Therefore, I struck her with this painful beating for that." The king said to him, "I think you have gone mad, O Haiqar, and your mind has diminished, because between Egypt and Nineveh there are three hundred farsakhs. So how did this cat go to your country, cut off the rooster's head and return in one night?!"

Haiqar said to him, "O my king, if between Egypt and Assyria there is this great distance, how could your horses hear the neigh of King Sennacherib's horse and would miscarry, and how could its voice come from all the way over there?"

When Pharaoh heard that, he realized he had solved his problem. He said to Haiqar, "What is your opinion about building a cylinder consisting of eight thousand, seven hundred and sixty-three bricks and three hundred sixty-five stones laid across it, and planting within it twelve cedar trees, with each cedar branching into thirty rods - two clusters each of white and black?" Haiqar said to him, "Even the cow herders of Assyria and Nineveh understand this allegory. The builder is God, and the cylinder is the year. The eight thousand, seven hundred and sixty-three bricks represent the hours of the year, and the three hundred sixty-five stones represent the days of the month. And the two clusters, white and black, represent the night and day." Pharaoh said, "O Haiqar, I want you to make two ropes for me out of sand." So Haiqar went and stood before a wall facing the king. He drilled two holes in it the size of thick ropes and took a handful of sand.

When the sun rose and the sun's rays came in, he rubbed the sand in the sun and it began to twist like ropes. He said to Pharaoh, "Order your servants to take these ropes, and whenever you want, I will make you others." The king said, "O Haiqar, we have a millstone that has broken, and I want you to sew it back together for us." Haiqar said to him, "O my master, I am a stranger, and I have no tools of the shoemakers here. But let the people of your land bring me threads made from this other stone, and I will sew that one together for you." The king and his nobles laughed and were amazed at the speed of his response and his wisdom. They said, "Blessed be God, O Haiqar, who has endowed you with intelligence and wisdom." The king ordered his viziers to collect taxes and tribute for three years, and they collected it. He proclaimed in the kingdom of Egypt that anyone from Assyria and Nineveh should return with Haiqar to their land. Then he honored Haiqar and his troops and those with him, and gave him gifts for King Sennacherib and bid him farewell. He said to him, "Go, O Haiqar, glory of your master. One like you who is competent to serve kings, convey our greetings to your king master and tell him not to reproach us for what we have gifted him."

Haiqar kissed his hands and prayed for him and thanked him. He returned to Assyria and Nineveh. When he neared the lands, King Sennacherib went out to meet him and kissed him between his eyes and was overjoyed with great happiness. He prostrated to the king, kissed his hands, and presented him with the gifts and greetings. He delivered all the funds to him. The king said to him, "Welcome, my dear, pride of my kingdom, glory of my state. Now express your desires and wishes, and I shall fulfill them for you."

Haiqar said, "May you live forever, my master. If you continue to bestow your favors upon me, extend your kindness to Abu Samik the executioner. For it is from God and from him that I see life, and victory and dominance are yours." Then he began to recount what had happened between him and King Pharaoh, regarding the allegories and other matters. The king was pleased with that. He brought the money and gifts, and said to Haiqar, "Take whatever you choose and desire from under your hand - all that you see." Haiqar kissed his hand and said, "O my master, I desire nothing except your well-being. If you wish to favor me, give me Nadan, son of my sister, so that I may take revenge against him for the wrongs he committed against me, and grant me his blood and permit me against him."

So King Sennacherib ordered and granted him Nadan, and said, "I have indeed granted him to you." Haiqar took Nadan and went with him to his home. His troops and army and family and people and clan went out to meet him and were overjoyed with great happiness. Haiqar then bound Nadan tightly with a chain around his neck and tied his hands and bound him. He lashed him severely on his back, stomach, legs and the soles of his feet. After beating him, he threw him into a dark place next to the bathroom and put the servant Banuhal in charge of him. Every day he would feed him a piece of bread and little water. Haiqar would punish him every time he entered or left, saying "Every act of kindness and goodness I did to you, you repaid me with attempted murder instead."

O my son, as the proverbs say - 'He who will not hear with his ears, will hear with the nape of his neck.' Nadan said to him, "O my uncle, for what reason are you angry with me?"

Haiqar said to him, "It is because of what I did for you - I strengthened you and taught you and advised you and raised you in the finest upbringing, so that you would be my heir and take my place. But you repaid me with attempted murder, cursing and abuse, and threw me to destruction with the sword. But God saved me and delivered me, and made known that I was wronged. For God binds up the brokenhearted and brings low the proud, envious oppressors."

O my son, you have become to me like the scorpion whose stinger is in the rock - it pierces and splits the rock.

O my son, you have become to me like the madder plant, which the goat ate. The goat said to it, 'I must tan your skin with my gall.'

O my son, you have become to me like a man who took a stone and threw it towards the sky to stone his Lord. The stone neither reached nor hit anything, but he earned wrath and sin.

O my son, you have become to me like a man who saw his companion naked on a cold and icy day, so he took cold water and poured it over him.

O my son, if you had honored me you would have inherited from me. Know, O my child, that even if a pig's tail grew ten cubits long, it would not take the place of a horse, and even if its hair were softer than silk and finer than cotton.

O my son, I had hoped that you would become my heir when I die, but your envy consumed you, and you wanted to kill me immediately; but God saved me from your evil.

O my son, you have become to me like the lion who had a donkey as a companion. But when the donkey grew fat, it pounced on it and devoured it.

O my son, you have become like a trap buried in the ground. A sparrow came and greeted it, and it returned the greeting and said to it: 'Eat from what God has provided for me of this wheat.' But when it began to peck at the wheat, the trap closed on it. The sparrow then said to it: 'If this is your charity, may God not accept it from you.'

O my son, you have become like a louse in the wheat that starts eating it and spoils it so it is no longer fit.

O my son, you have become like a man who planted ten measures of wheat. When he toiled over them, harvested, threshed, and winnowed, they turned out to be only eight. He said, 'I wish they had never sprouted or existed.'

O my son, you have become like the partridge trapped in the hunter’s net. It throws its companions into disgrace, and it cannot save itself.

O my son, you have become like the dog that got cold so he entered the potters' house to warm up. But when he warmed up he started barking at them, so they drove him out and pelted him lest he bite them.

O my son, you have become like the pig that entered the bathroom with the elders, and when it came out and saw a filthy puddle, it went and started rolling in it. Everything returns to its nature.

O my son, you have become like the cat, to whom they said 'stop stealing, and we will make you a golden collar for your neck and bracelets and bangles.' But it said: 'The work of my forefathers is what I do, I will not give it up.'

O my son, you have become like the tree which they wanted to cut down, and it said to them 'had you not had what is in your hands from me, you would not have been able to cut me down.'

O my son, a hand that does not work and toil and take care, will be cut off from its source.

O my son, I fed you tasty and delightful food and you fed me rough bread. I gave you good drink and sugared water to drink and you gave me salty water to drink. I raised you up and placed you high and nourished you and seated you in the king's assembly. And you bent me over and caused me distress and buried me under the ground. I raised you and taught you and planted you like a towering tree and you ruined me and bowed me down and hid me in the burial ground.

O my son, my hope was that you would build me a strong castle so I may settle in it, but you buried me in the belly of the earth. But God had mercy on me and saved me from your evil.

O my son, I intended good for you, but you repaid me with ugliness and all kinds of evil. Now, I want to pluck out your eyes, cut off your tongue, and cut off your head with a sword, and reward you for your ugly and disgusting deeds with the same.

Nadan answered and said to Haiqar, "O my uncle, treat me with your usual kindness and forgive my sin and what I have done wrong against you. For one like me can err, and one like you can pardon. Accept me now so I may serve your house. I am wicked and you are good, I am guilty and you are forgiving."

Haiqar said to him, "O my son, you are like the tree that was planted next to water but did not bear fruit. Its owner wanted to cut it down, but it said to him 'move me to another place so I may bear fruit.' He said to it, 'you have been by the water your whole life and did not bear, so how if I move you from the water will you bear fruit?'"

O my son, an eagle's old age is better than a crow's youth.

O my son, they entered the wolf into the school so they could teach him to read. The teacher said to him 'say A', he said 'goat, kid, lamb.'

O my son, he has spoken truth who said that whom you bear is called your son, but whom you raise is called your servant.

O my son, whoever does good will receive good, and whoever does evil will receive evil as well, because God will reward each person according to their deeds and actions.

O my son, what more can I say to you than this, for God knows the innermost thoughts and secrets and hidden things. He will reward you and judge between me and you, and recompense you for what you deserve.

When Nadan heard this speech from his uncle Haiqar, he knew that he was not going to be forgiven. He was overcome with anger and bitterness, and he swelled up on the spot. His belly burst open like a bag, his organs swelled up, his side split open, his intestines spilled out, and he died and went to hell. What a terrible fate! According to what is written in the Book, 'Whoever digs a pit for their brother will fall into it.'

Thus we have found and recorded. Glory and thanks be to God forever. Amen. May God bless you all with goodness, those present, and the writer and reader. Amen.