In a serene valley nestled among hills covered with bountiful gardens, there resided a humble farm worker named Jafar. He lived there with his beloved wife, Ziba, whose name meant "the beautiful one," and their two children, Caspian and Shahrazad. The gardens in the valley flourished with peaches, grapes, mulberries, and other luscious fruits, providing a picturesque setting for their simple life.
Jafar toiled as a laborer, earning his livelihood in the form of grain and cloth, with no knowledge of money except by name. One fateful day, a benevolent landlord, who was pleased with his diligent work, bestowed upon him ten rials as a token of appreciation.
Jafar rushed back home to share the news of this unexpected wealth with his family. He spread the money before them on their tablecloth, and their eyes lit up with excitement.
Jafar pondered how to spend this newfound fortune and decided to embark on a journey to the enchanting city of Mashad, which was only twenty miles away. His plan was to place two rials on the shrine of the holy Imam Reza and then explore the bazaars to fulfill his family's wishes.
Ziba, his wife, expressed her desire for a piece of purple silk for a new dress. Shahrazad wished for an Indian handkerchief and a pair of golden slippers, while Caspian longed for a fine horse and a sword.
With determination, Jafar set off for Mashad. Upon reaching the glorious city, he was captivated by its shimmering domes, glistening rooftops, and minarets where priests called the faithful to prayer.
He made his way to the shrine, where an old priest who granted him entry. With humility, Jafar placed his two rials on the sacred tomb, leaving him with only 8 rials.
As he navigated the bustling streets and bazaars, Jafar entered a silk shop, where he encountered a beautiful piece of silk. To his astonishment, the shopkeeper, Soraya, quoted a price of two hundred rials, claiming it was a special rate for a new customer. Jafar's was puzzled and asked if the shop keeper meant 200 of these coins as he showed her the coins and Soraya agreed.
Jafar confessed that he only had 8 rials and this angered Soraya.
"You have pocket change with you and you dare to enter my shop to buy silk? Get out!"
Jafar was disheartened but he continued to the stabled and the oriant market but was met with the same response.
Jafar finally decided to go back home as there was nothing he could do.
On his way, he saw a beggar sitting on the side of the road all my himself. The beggar said "kind sir! Spare me some money and God shall return to you a 100 folds of what you spend today."
Jafar looked at the 8 rials in his hand and said "Oh friend, take these 8 rials and may they be of use to you for with it I have got not but insults."
Time went by and Jafar reached home and told Ziba what had occurred.
Ziba, disillusioned, complained to their landlord, who scolded Jafar for his generosity.
"You fool! When I see a beggar, I give him a single copper coin but you! His generous majesty dares to give 8 pieces of silver?"
As punishment, he was instructed to dig for water in the desert until he found it.
Days of labor under the scorching sun passed until Jafar unearthed a brass vessel filled with dazzling gems and precious stones. Unaware of their true value, he made a mental note to visit Mashad again.
Upon returning to Mashad, Jafar's pockets filled with jewels, he encountered a jeweler named Parisa. She initially doubted his wares but was astonished when she saw the riches he possessed.
However, the jeweler suspected theft and called the authorities, who arrested Jafar and his family.
Jafar and his family were to be taken to the capital for thorough investigation.
And so the poor family was dragged in chains for many farsangs away to the capital.
Unbeknownst to all, this family had the favour of the heavens.
In the kings chamber, upon a giant bed layed the slumbering king who has been dreaming of the blessed prophet for 3 nights.
Every night the prophet would say "Save my friend. You must save him for he is innocent."
On this very night the king finally mustered the courage to ask the phrohet "My prophet, what is the name of your friend?"
"His name is Jafar, he and his family are on their way to this very city. Go and save them. Save them for they are the innocent decreed by the heavens."
As soon as the prophet finished saying these words, a light flashed and the king awake from his slumber.
He dressed as fast as he could and rushed towards the city gates.
As he drew closer and closer, he could see that the convoy had just entered the city.
When the head knight saw the king, he stopped the convoy and blowed to his leige as did everyone else. Be it knights or peasant, all knelt.
The king paid no mind to anyone around him and just looked at the family in chains and dashed towards them.
Jafar who was kowtowing on the ground dared to speak his last words to plea for the lives of his family.
"My great king. Do with me as you wish but please, my family... They are innocent. They would die if imprisoned!"
The king sat on his toes and held Jafar by his arms and raised him up and said "My friend, I am not here to imprison your family for to bring you glory."
The king escorted the family to his palace with great honour and heard their tale.
The following morning he arranged all the treasures that Jafar had found and to it, the king added a large sum from his own treasury.
As a parting gift, the king arranged for the beautiful Ziba a purple silk dress, for shaharazad, Indian handkerchief and a pair of golden slippers, while Caspian was given a fine horse and a sword.
The family returned to their home not with 100 times the wealth they sent for charity but more than a thousand times.