Select the tale Contents Two brothers The happy cobbler The invincible Cock Lazy Hoory The paradise flower The hunter that lied A big pot of gold The master and the labourer The carnival Brother axe The foolish man The king & the peddler Travelers Nazar the brave The fox that lost its tail The dog and the cat The handless girl Black kiddy Unlucky Panoss The liar One drop of honey The sparrow The death of Kikos The talking fish The end of the wicked The Miller- King Zangi Zrangi

THE FOOLISH MAN

Once upon a time there lived a poor man. He labored all day long, took pains, but all the same he was always poor. Losing hope, one day he decided to go, find God and ask him when he could get rid of this condition. He also wanted to ask God for a favor.

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On his way he met a wolf "Good befall you, brother man, where are you going?" asked the wolf. "I'm going in search of God," replied the poor man, "I want to tell him my sorrow." "Since you're going to God," said wolf, "tell God there's a hungry wolf roaming about hills and dales, day and night, but can't find anything to eat. Ask God how long he'll be hungry. Since he has created me, let him feed me." "All right," said the man and continued in his way. After a while he met a pretty maid "Where are you going, my man?" asked the girl. "I'm going in search of God." "When you meet God," said the girl, "tell him there's such a pretty girl, young, healthy and rich but she isn't happy. What can help her?" "I will," promised the traveler and went on his way.

He came to a tree which was by the waterside but it had dried up. "Traveller, where are you going?" asked the dried tree.
"I'm going in search of God."
"Wait a, minute. Take my request to God," begged the tree.
"Tell God there's a tree growing on the bank of a clear brook, but it's dry all year round. When shall I ever get green?"
To this the man lent an ear and continued in his way. He went on and on until he found God. Beneath a high rock leaning back against it, in the form of a hoary man sat God.

"Good day," said the poor man and stopped before God. "And welcome to you!" answered God, "What do you want?" "Well, I want you to be fair to everyone. You give much to some and nothing to others. I toil hard, I take pains but still I go almost hungry. There are so many people who don't work half as much as I do but they are rich and live well."
"All right, go now, you'll get rich. I'll give you luck. Go, find it and enjoy it."
"I have something to tell you, Lord," said the poor man and told God about the hungry wolf, the pretty maid and the dried tree. God promised to help them all and told the poor man what they must do. Thanking God the poor man went back. On his way home he came upon the dried tree.
"What message did God have for me?" asked the dried tree.

"God says that there is gold under you. When the pot of gold is taken out, your roots will reach soil and you'll get green," answered the poor man. "All right, you' re just the person to help me. Dig out the gold for yourself and help me to become green."
"No, I have no time, I'm in a hurry," answered the poor man. "God has given me my luck. I must go, find it and enjoy it," said the man and hurried on his way.

Presently, the pretty maid came running to the traveller
"What message have you brought for me?"
"God . said you must find a bosom friend for yourself, then you won't be sad and your time will be spent in joy and you'll be happy."
"If so, be my bosom friend," entreated the maid.
"No, I have no time to be your friend. God has given me my luck. I must go, find it and enjoy it," replied the poor man and went on his way. The hungry wolf was waiting for the traveller.

As soon as he saw him, he ran forward and asked "What did God say for me?"
On my way to God's place I met a pretty maid and a dried tree. They begged me to ask God why the girl was always sad and the tree was dry the whole year round. I told God about them. The trouble with the tree is that there is a pot of gold under it. As soon as it is dug out the tree will get green. I came and told them God's words. The tree asked me to dig out the gold for myself, the maid asked me to become bosom friend. But I refused saying, "No, I can't. God has given me my luck. I must go, find it and enjoy it." "And what did God say for me?" asked the hungry wolf. "For you he said you' d go hungry so long as you have not found a foolish man to eat. When you find one and eat him up you'll be satisfied."

"Where on earth can I find a man more foolish than you?" said the wolf and gobbled him up..