The Sailor Sindbad
(Najamuddin Ghanghro, Karachi(original from Larkana))
Hindbad was a hardworking but
poor porter. He lived in Baghdad and earned his living by carrying various
packages to given addresses. All his toil from early morning till late at night
earned him just enough to get by. He was very bitter about his condition.
One day as he was carrying a large package to a far away place he felt very
tired. He saw a shady tree outside the door of a large mansion. As he rested
under the tree for a while, he heard a lot of voices and laughter coming from
the open windows.
Hindbad turned to see and there was a guard who stood by the doorway. Hindbad
enquired, "What's going on in this house? Who lives here?" To this the guard
said, "Oh! Don't you know? This is Sindbad the sailor's mansion. He is the one
who has been around the world on voyages."
"So, Sindbad lives here. I've heard much about him. But what difference does it
make. The rich enjoys comfortable and lives in luxurious mansions while the poor
works hard all day for a piece of bread. Oh! it's not fair at all." With these
words, Hindbad burst into tears. He started wailing loudly.
Just then his loud cries reached indoors. Sindbad called the guard to enquire
who was crying at his door. The guard told him about Hindbad and why he was
crying. Sindbad felt pity on hearing about Sindbad. He asked the guard to fetch
Hindbad inside. Hindbad went into the mansion reluctantly. He greeted Sindbad
and said, “I am sorry to disturb you, sir. You must be angry. Please permit me
to leave. I have to go to deliver a package outside the town."
Sindbad smiled and said, "My friend, do not worry. Join me and take some food.
You can stay and enjoy yourself here. My servants will deliver the package to
the address."
Hindbad relaxed a little and Sindbad offered him a plate full of delicious food.
As he ate, Hindbad observed his surroundings. He saw articles of costly
furniture, silk curtains, fancy chandeliers and food in silver plates on the
table. Sindbad himself was an old man with a long white beard yet a handsome and
charming personality for his age. Even the guests around him were richly
personality for his age. Even the guests around him were richly attired and were
enjoying themselves. Then Sindbad addressed his guests, "Friends, many of you
may think that I was born rich and had all the luxuries provided by my parents.
But this is not true. What you see all around you is the result of my hard work
and many trials and troubles that I faced in the seven voyages I took up in my
lifetime. Please take your seats and if you want I'll tell you all about my
adventurous voyages."
There was a murmur of agreement and all the guests took their seats. Hindbad,
too, got eager to hear Sindbad, the sailor's story to success.