FUNNY STORIES
BY
MOHAMMED MASUM BILLAH
B A (HONOURS N.U)
THE GIFT OF ALLAH
A king had three daughters. He loved them very dearly. Once he put to them the same question. “Oh my darlings!” said he, “Tell me which is the better of the two – Allah’s gift, of king’s gift.”
The eldest daughter was very cunning. She knew how to please her father. “Papa,” said she, “Allah’s gift is good, but king’s gift is better.” The king was pleased with her. He gave her in marriage with the minister’s son.
The second daughter was as cunning as her eldest sister. She knew what would please her father. So she gave the same answer as her eldest sister. The king was pleased with her too. He gave her in marriage with his general’s son.
Then came the youngest daughter’s turn. She was frank and bold. She hated praising someone for nothing. “Papa,” said she, “Your gift is good, but Allah’s gift is better.” The king grew angry at her reply. He turned her out from his palace and sent her to the forest.
The poor girl left in tears. She met with a prince in the forest. He took pity on her and gave her shelter in his palace. There she won the heart of all and the prince took her as his wife.
After a time the king lost his kingdom. He fled away to the forest with his two daughters. The youngest daughter heard the sad news and found out her father and sisters. She gave them shelter in her palace.
The king realized his mistake. He knelt down saying, “Allah’s gift is the best.”
Moral: The gift of Allah is the best of all gifts.
THE TEACHING OF HOLY PROPHET
One day the holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (sm) sat with his followers. At that time a beggar came to him and begged alms. The Prophet looked at him. The man was strong and healthy. He said to the man, “Why are you begging? Don’t you know that begging is a bad thing? You are a fine healthy man. You can work hard.”
The man said in reply, “Hazrat, I do not like to beg. I want to do work. But I do not get any work.”
The Prophet said, “Have you anything to sell?” the man said, “Hazrat, I am very poor. I have one blanket to sell.” The Prophet said, “All right, bring your blanket.”
The man went home. After some hours he came back with his blanket. The Prophet took the blanket and showed to his followers. One of the followers bought the blanket by net price. The Prophet gave him the money and said, “Buy some food with half of the money and with the other half buy an axe. Go to the forest, cut wood and sell it in the market.”
The man went away. He used to go to the forest everyday. He cut wood and sold it in the market.
After some days the man came again to the Prophet. He said with a smiling face, “Hazrat, you have shown me a new path of life. Now I work all day long. I have no want at all.”
The Prophet smiled and said, “The man who works is helped by Allah.”
Moral: Allah helps those who help themselves.
HAZRAT OMAR ® THE GREAT CALIPH
The night had far advanced. Most people of the locality were asleep. A man was walking alone along the streets of
He said to the woman, “What is the matter mother? Why are the children crying?” the old woman said, “My good man, what will you do to gear the cause of our distress? These children have been going without food for two days. We are very poor. Their father died a few months ago. He left nothing for us. Today I went out to beg alms. But unfortunately I got nothing. I am boiling some pieces of stones in this pot and telling them that I am cooking food for them. In this way I am trying to keep them quiet. They will soon fall asleep.” The man said, “Why did you not inform the Caliph of your condition? Wait a bit. I am coming again soon.” So saying he went out. After sometime he returned with sufficient food. The children ate to their hearts’ content and fell asleep. Tears of gratitude rolled down the cheeks of the woman. She said to the man, “You are a better man than Caliph Omar ®, May Allah make you Caliph.”
Do you know who this man was? He was Omar ®, the second Caliph of Islam. He lived a very simple life. He ate simple food and wore ordinary clothes. He spent his time and money for the good of the people. So he is known in history as Omar ®, the Great.
Moral: people live in peace under the guidance of a righteous ruler.
THE KINDNESS OF MOHSIN
Hajee Mohammed Mohsin was a pious man. He was also very rich. He was rich like a king. But he did not spend his money for his own comfort and happiness. He lived like a poor man. He was very. Kind to the poor. He always helped the poor and the helpless.
One night Mohsin was sleeping in his room. At the dead of night a thief entered his room. He began to look for valuable things. Suddenly he made a little sound. It broke Mohsin’s sleep. He got up from the bed and caught hold of the thief.
The man fell in danger. He began to weep. He begged Mohsin’s pardon again and again.
Mohsin was very kind-hearted. The tears of the man moved him to pity. He understood that the man was not a clever thief. He said to the man, “Why have you come to steal?” the man wept bitterly and said, “Please believe me, I am not a thief. There is no food in my house. My wife and children are hungry. There is on money in my hand. My son is seriously ill. I could not give him any medicine. What shall I do now?”
“But stealing is a great sin,” said Mohsin, “Don’t you know it?”
“Yes sir,” said the man, “I know that. But I want to save my wife and children from death. So I have come to steal. Now please pardon me.”
Mohsin said, “You can work at a house. But you must not steal.”
“I am ready to do any work,” said the man very sadly, “I asked many men to give me work. But there was none to help me.”
Mohsin felt very sad for the poor man. He gave him some food and money. Then he said, “Take this food and money. Go home and share the food with your family. Put this money in a business. Run it carefully and you will make a good profit. You will soon be free from all wants.”
The man thanked Mohsin heartily. His great help made him a good man. He started a business and began to live happily with his family.
Moral: Forgiveness is a noble virtue.
ROBERT BRUCE AND THE SPIDER
Long, long ago, there lived a king in
Once his enemies made a plot against him. They fought against him and drove him away. The king went to a forest and took shelter in an old fort. Many of his faithful subjects joined him there.
The king did not sit idly there. He formed a troop. He attacked his enemies time and again. But every time, he was defeated. He had no hope of getting back his kingdom.
One day, the king was lying in the fort. He cast his eyes on the wall and saw a spider. It was climbing up the wall. It was trying to reach the roof. But it fell down the smooth wall. Yet, it did not give up its attempt. It tried again and again. On the eighth attempt, it succeeded. The king took a lesson from the spider he revived his hope and got back his courage. With a firm resolve he attacked his enemies once again. This time he defeated his enemies and got back his lost kingdom.
Moral: Perseverance is the key to success.
DEVOTION TO MOTHER
The night had far advanced. A little boy was hard at work with his books at a table near his mother’s bed. She was very ill. She lay on her bed asleep. Suddenly she woke up and raised her head, “Are you there, my boy?” She said in a very weak voice. “Give me some water to drink. I am very thirsty.”
The boy got up from his seat. He went to the jar of water in the other room to fetch water. But there was on water in the jar. He was very sorry. He at once took the jar in his hand and went out to fetch water from one of the houses near theirs. But to his bad luck, everybody in that house was in deep sleep.
He thought of the spring at the other end of the town. He went there with the jar in one hand and a lamp in the other. He filled the jar with the water of the spring and came back with it. Then filling a glass with water from it, he went to his mother’s bed. But in the meantime, she had fallen into a deep sleep.
The boy did not call his sick mother. He stood there with the glass of water in hand and waited for her to wake up. He stood there, hour after hour; but she did not wake up.
In the morning, she awoke and opened her eyes. She saw her son standing beside her bed, glass in hand. She was greatly surprised to see her son’s profound love for her. She raised her hands towards heaven and prayed. “Oh Allah,” said she “Make my son your humble slave. Let him love you more deeply and dearly than he loves me.” His mother’s blessings came true. The boy grew up to be a servant of Allah. His name and fame spread far and wide.
Do you know the name of this boy?
He was Bayazid, the great Muslim saint. He was born in Bustom, a small town in
Moral: A Devoted son can prosper in life.
M
HAZRAT SHAH JALAL
Hazrat Shah Jalal was born in
As a boy, Hazrat Shah Jalal was pious. As a man, he wanted to preach Islam to others also. He decided to go to
He came to
Hazrat Shah Jalal decided to preach Islam in Sylhet. Sylhet is now in
Hazrat Shah Jalal went to Sylhet with his three hundred and sixty Sufis. The king heard the news. He did not want them to preach Islam in his kingdom. He prepared for a battle. A great battle took place. Gour Gobinda lost the battle and fled away. He left his sword. You can see it in the Dargah Sharif of Sylhet.
The Sufis preached Islam in different parts of Sylhet. Soon Islam spread all over the district. Most of the people in Sylhet are now Muslims. There are Hindus and Christians too in Sylhet. All live together in peace and amity.
Hazrat Shah Jalal died in Sylhet in 1304 A.D. He was sixty years old. He was buried where his mazar still stands.
Hazrat Shah Jalal is one of the greatest of Muslim saints. His mazar is taken to be a very holy place. Muslims and non-Muslims visit his mazar throughout the year.
A FAKIR EMPEROR
Long, long ago, there was an Emperor in
The Emperor managed his family expenditure by the amount which he earned. He used to copy the holy Quran and sew caps. He used to sell them in the market and thus enrned some money.
He lived a very simple life. He had no servants in his palace. His Begum used to cook food by herself and do all other house-hold works. One day she burnt her hand while cooking. She began to weep in pain. When the Emperor returned from his court, the Begum said, “Great Emperor, I have burnt my hand. It pains me much. I cannot cook any more. Please appoint a maid servant.”
Nasiruddin became very sorry for the Begum. But he said, “Begum, you know, I have no money to keep a maid servant. Take rest for some days. Allah will save you. I shall cook until you come round.”
Moral: Self-help is better than any other help.
THE GOLDEN TOUCH
King Midas was very fond of gold. He had much gold and he kept it in a room. Everyday he went to that room and wished he could fill it with gold.
Midas did good works. It pleased God. He asked Midas to choose his reward. Midas prayed that whatever he touched must be4 changed into gold. His prayer was granted.
Midas was very glad to see that his clothes were all gold. After a time he felt thirsty but he could not drink. As soon as he touched the glass of water, both the glass and the water in it became hard gold.
Midas grew very hungry. He asked for food but he could not eat. As soon as he touched his food, it became hard gold, the richest food lay before him but he could not eat anything. He became very thirsty and hungry. Then he thought that a very poor man was happier than he.
Midas had a very beautiful daughter. She was very sad to see his father’s danger. She ran to her father to comfort him. She threw her arms lovingly around his knee. Midas bent down and kissed her.
“My dear daughter”, said Midas. But the girl made no answer. She was changed into a golden statue. She was not alive.
Midas was very sorry. He begged of God to take back his boon. He swore that he would not be greedy in future. His prayer was granted and he got rid of the golden touch.
Moral: Greed begets sin.
THE KINDNESS OF SABUKTAGIN
One day king Sabuktagin was out for hunting. He began to roam about in the forest. But he found no prey. He went deep into the forest and began to move about. At last after a long search, he came across a fawn. It was playing then.
Sabuktagin did not shoot his arrow at the innocent creature. He did not like to kill it. He wanted to catch the playful fawn alive. So he got down from his horse. But as soon as he drew near, it ran away. This went on for a long time. At length, he succeeded in catching it.
Sabuktagin took the fawn in his arms and mounted the horse. He started back for home. At that time, he heard a sound behind. He looked and saw a deer. She was following him with a sad and gloomy look. She was the mother of the poor fawn.
Sabuktagin was moved. He stopped the horse. He thought of his wife, “How terrible it will be, if anybody snatches away her darling from her lap!” he could think no more. He set the fawn free. It ran off to its mother. Ah! What a great joy it was to the mother! She had got her child again by her side.
Sabuktagin gazed at this heavenly sight for a ling time. He felt a joy at this heavenly sight. He felt a joy at the happy re-union.
Moral: Kindness is a noble virtue.
THE FARMER AND HIS SONS
There lived a farmer in a village. He always believed in the strength of unity. He thought that if all the members of his family would stand united, no enemy could do any harm to them.
The farmer had four sons. They always quarreled with one another. He asked his sons again and again not to do so but they turned deaf ears to him. So he became very anxious.
The farmer was growing old. He wanted his sons to live in peace after his death. At last he made a plan to teach his sons a lesson. He called all his sons and said, “I am now old and may die soon. I hope all of you will carry the days happily.” Then he asked his sons to bring some sticks.
The eldest son brought some sticks. The farmer tied the sticks into a bundle. He gave the bundle to his eldest son and asked him to break it. But he could not break it. The other sons also tried in their turns. But they could not break it too.
Then the farmer untied the bundle. He gave one stick to each of his sons and asked them to break each of the sticks separately. This time his sons easily broke the sticks.
Then the farmer smiled and said, “You see, my sons, you could break the sticks one by one. But you could not break that bundle. Learn a lesson from this. If you are united like the bundle of sticks, you will then be strong and your enemies will not be able to do you any harm. But if you quarrel with one another, you will lose your strength and your enemies will be able to do harm to you. Do not quarrel with one another and try to live in peace together.”
The sons came to understand the strength of unity. They liked the noble teaching of their father. They promised not to quarrel again and from that day they lived together in peace.
Moral: Unity is strength.
ABU BIN ADAM AND THE ANGEL
Abu Bin Adam was a pious man. He was good and honest. He loved his fellow-men. He always helped them in distress.
One night Abu said his prayers and went to bed. He was sleeping, in his room. His room was then quite dark. It was
First Abu got frightened. Then he took courage and said, “What are you writing in your book?” The angel replied, “I am writing the names of some people who love Allah.” Then Abu said, “Is there my name in your list?” The angel said, “No.”
Then Abu said to the angel, “Please write my name in the list as I love my fellow-men.” The angel looked at Abu with a smiling face and wrote something. He saluted Abu and went away.
The next night the angel came again. Abu’s room was again full of light; Abu woke up from sleep and saw the angel with a list of names in his hand. The angel showed him the list. Abu saw his name at the top of the list and was surprised.
The angel said, “You live your fellow-men. So Allah loves you best.”
Moral: He prayeth best who loveth best.
OUR NATIONAT POET
You have heard the name of Kazi Nazrul Islam.
He is known as a rebel poet. He is our national poet. He is a favourite poet. His words fill our hearts with hope and thrill. Every Bengalee should know about Kazi Nazrul Islam –a hero of our independence. He inspired us to fight against the British.
The early life of this great poet was very painful. He was born on
Later on he joined a singing party known as ‘Leto’. He could compose songs. He sang those songs while he was with the ‘Leto.’ Later on we found him as soldier.
Kazi Nazrul Islam was a poet of youth. He sang various songs of youth. He could sing in all kinds of tunes. There was a magic in his voice.
Nazrul is famous for his literary works. His famous literary sorks are- ‘Agnibina’, Bisher Banshi’, ‘Rikter-Bedan’, ‘Fani Manasha’, ‘Sarbahara’, ‘Badhanhara’ etc. He inspired people of all ages to struggle for freedom throughout these books.
The national hero did not like the British. He sang songs against the British oppression. He was made captive by them.
He first inspired the Bengalees to fight against the English. He also inspired us to snatch away freedom from the warmongers of
This famous poet had been without voice for many years. After independence he was living in
All Bengalees will remember his name in gratitude for a ling time. A bosom friend of the helpless like him is rare in this world. We are indebted to him for our independence.
Moral: The pen is mightier than the sword.
TWO FRIENDS AND A BEAR
Once there lived two young men in a
Once the two friends went out for a long walk together. They were walking through a forest. Many wild animals lived in this forest. They were afraid of wild animals. Amal said to Bimal, “Don’t be afraid, my friend. I shall not leave you alone if any wild animal attacks us.” At that moment they heard the grunt of a bear behind them. Amal forgot all about his friend and at once climbed up a tree. He left his friend in danger.
Bimal did not know how to climb a tree. He felt himself very helpless. But he could remember that a bear does not touch a dead body. Than Bimal quickly lay down on the ground. He pretended to be dead. The bear came to him. It looked at him and sniffed at his head. Bimal did not move. The bear thought that he was dead. It went away.
After a short time Amal came down from the tree. He went to Bimal and said, “Well friend, you and the bear must be great friends. I saw that the bear whispers some secret into your ears. What was that?
“The bear has said a secret to me,” replied Bimal, “Never trust a friend who runs away when danger threatens his companion. What he said is very true. Good bye. I will go home alone.” Then Bimal left the company of his false friend Amal and went to his own way.
Moral: A friend in need is a friend indeed.
A LIAR COW-BOY
Long, long ago, there lived a cow-boy in a certain
The cow-boy lived with his parents. He was about twelve years old. He was very wicked and fond of telling lies. His parents forbade him to tell lies. But he did not pay any heed to their advice.
Every morning the cow-boy used to go to the pasture with a herd of cows. He passed the whole day by tending the cows in the pasture. In the evening he drove his cows home.
Sometimes the cow-boy used to play a trick on the people. Often he used to cry out, the tiger has come, the tiger has come,” for mere fun. At first the people who worked nearby believed him because tigers lived in the forest around the pasture. They would come hurriedly with sticks for his help. On seeing them the wicked cow-boy began to giggle. The cow-boy did it time and again.
The people did not believe him any more. They could realize that the cow-boy was only making funs. So they decided not to go when he cried out in future.
At last, one day a tiger a tiger really came and fell upon his herd. This time also the cow-boy cried out. “The tiger has come, the tiger has come save me” in a great fear. But the people thought that the cow-boy was playing the old tricks again as before. So nobody come to help him.
The tiger killed many cows at its sweet will and at last, went away by tearing the cow-boy to pieces. Liars are not trusted even when they speak the truth. Everyone should keep in mind that to tell a lie is a great sin.
Moral: Nobody believes a liar.
KING GIASUDDIN AND THE QUAZI
In days of old there was a king in
He was very fond of hunting. Once he was practicing archery by a forest. Suddenly an arrow pierced a boy. The boy died than and there. He was the only son of a poor widow. The widow was deeply shocked. She went to the Quazi at once. She told him everything and prayed for justice.
The Quazi was moved to pity. He was in a fix as to what to do. The king himself was the accused. If he did justice, the king might be displeased and if he did not do so, he would be responsible to Allah.
Then the Quazi thought for a while. He decided not to submit to any fear. He must do justice. So he summoned the king in no time.
The king appeared before the Quazi in time. The Quazi showed him no respect. He asked the king whether the complaint of the poor widow was true.
The king admitted his fault. On the other hand he said that he did not do it willfully. It was a mere accident.
Then the Quazi said, “According to law you shall have to compensate for it, you will have to satisfy the mother.” The king gladly obeyed the order of the Quazi. The mother of the boy was pleased.
Then the Quazi got down from his seat and showed the king due honour. The king then drew out his sword and said, “If you failed to do justice to the poor widow, I would have cut off your head with this sword.”
The Quazi then drew out his cane and said to the king, “If you disobeyed my order, I would have punished you black and blue.”
The king was very glad with the Quazi for his courage and sense of justice. He, therefore, embraced the Quazi.
Serajuddin was the name of this famous quazi. If you visit sonargaon, you may still see the graves of these two great men and show them due respect.
Moral: He who is just is rewarded.
ALEXANDER-THE GREAT
Long, long ago, there was a great king in
When Alexander conquered all the kingdoms of
But porus, the king of a small kingdom of the
Porus said, “Friend Alexander, you are really great.”
