The Merchant's Twin Sons

The Merchants Twin Sons


"After Esmerelda dissappeared, the King told his Vizier...."

"WAIT!, WAIT! groaned the king, "I have had my fill of girls tempted in the garden. I do not need any more instruction on the weakness of women. My experience has already taught me enough about that. Have you no manly tales in your repertoire? You know, of brave warriors, battles and kings of old?"

"Indeed I do," said Schherazad.

"Then tell one us one of these instead."

"As you wish." she replied, and began the tale of the Merchant's Twin Sons.

"There once was a merchant in Tangiers who had twin sons. They were alike in every way. Since the merchant had great wealth, he spared no expense in ensuring the boys were given a good education and upbringing. They spent many wonderful days growing up on the family's estate and in their studies learned the ways of philosophy and architecture as well as hunting, martial arts and other activities common to the rearing of young men.

Now the merchant was often troubled with nightmares, some of which portended bankruptcy and others which told of war. To safeguard against these fears he resolved that one of his sons would become a merchant. This he reasoned, would insure that in times of peace the family prospered. The other he resolved should become a soldier so that in times of war the family fortune might be protected. So he charged each to pursue with diligence the study of commerce and war and watched them to see if either had a special aptitude. And although he followed closely their development, he saw nothing to aid him in the choosing. This was because both were exceptionally talented and equally excelled in all areas. So at the age of twelve, he charged his sons to study diligently, both the Art of War and the Art of Commerce confident that with greater maturity the choice would be easier to make.

Now these sons, ever obedient to their father's will, applied themselves with hard study and long practice to the tasks they had been assigned. In the unrelenting exercise of mind and body they acquired exceptional wisdom and strength and the bond of their friendship made them inseparable. And their appearance reflected this same closeness and so similar were they that it was impossible to tell them apart. And being so alike in appearance, they sometimes were disposed to mischief, and on occasion amused themselves by pretending to be each another. Their skill at these antics became so consummate that no one ever saw the deception and they freely exchanged identities whenever they chose to do so. And so they passed many diverting hours entertaining themselves in this fashion, while still being true to their father's wishes.

It came to pass that the boys reached their seventeenth birthday and their father could delay his decision no longer. So he threw a coin and concluded that Kareem would be a merchant and Abdul a soldier. Kareem was sent abroad to learn the business of managing the family's fortunes while Abdul was sent to serve in the Army. For the next 10 years they did not meet again for Kareem was often abroad on ships to foreign markets, while Abdul was off serving in the Sultan's army. And as fate would have it both enjoyed a remarkably successful career in their respective fields.

Kareem showed a remarkable knack for business and under his leadership the fortunes increased many fold. Abdul, rose quickly in rank as a soldier, and acquired ever increasing responsibilities. His success in battle brought much honor to the family. Many remarked as to the blessings of Allah, giving a father two such remarkable sons. Abdul's fame soon brought him to the eyes of the Sultan and such was his skill, that in on his thirtith year was made Commander-in-chief of the Army. Upon hearing this, Kareem returned from Constantinople, that he might be present at the ceremony honoring his brother. It was on this occasion that the two met once more and had a chance to rekindle old memories and become reacquainted.

Now Kareem's character had developed as a successful businessman and he was a genial, friendly and talkative person. He listened well and in this way was always attuned to the mercantile activities that were taking place around him. When he saw a venture that showed promise he never jumped right in, but rather examined it carefully from all sides. He would speak with other merchants in a general sort of way so as not to reveal any specific purpose. He was always interested in a fellow merchant's opinion. In this way he took advantage of not only his own considerable knowledge, but also their specialized knowledge. For some of his peers had expertise in jewels, and others in rugs in still others in perfumes and silks. And through these contacts he made many friends, for he was willing to exchange information as well as receive it. In addition he would often go one step further and seek the counsel of those who envied and despised him. When questioned about this practice, he would remark that knowledge of what is best grows in many gardens, sometimes even the most forbidding. And that it was not important how he came by his knowledge but only that he knew it when he saw it and took advantage of it in a timely manner. And that rather than dismissing the ideas of his enemies he often found in them the seeds of his greatest revelation. And once he reasoned on a matter and decided how to best proceed, he would call those together responsible for manufacture, movement and sales and glean from them their insight on how the wares might be best produced, marketed and distributed. He had a special affection for the sellers of wares and held in highest esteem those with the gift of eloquence and the talent for persuasion.

His brother Abdul became a great soldier but in a different way. He was willful, outspoken and demanded from his subordinates an absolute and instant obedience. When not commanding, he was sullen, withdrawn and brooked no counsel with anyone but himself, and even then, took no counsel with his fears. There was an arrogance in his demeanor and an unshakable confidence in his ability. Since he had never encountered a mind superior to his own, he believed that listening to others was a waste of time. And he was a hard taskmaster when it came to training and even more so in battle. And his soldiers loved his grim self-assurance seeing it as a quality rather than a weakness. And instead of despising him, they relished his forbidding nature, and in battle were inspired by his strength and audacity. So much was he venerated, that his presence, in the most despairing of circumstances, inspired his followers to great acts of heroism. And if they trembled in fear at his reputation, they were reassured that it had an even greater affect on his enemies. And when he spoke, the soldiers instantly obeyed knowing his instructions would bring victory and deliver their fearful hearts from the specter of defeat. And in the heat of battle, when it came time to give orders, his vision was so pervasive and complete, that he ever anticipated his foes and was always one step ahead in taking the proper action. This he used to great advantage as the battle raged terribly about and the outcome hung on the margin of a hair. In such moments his clear head and strong voice gave the orders that rallied hope and commanded trembling hearts to victory. And all who followed him thanked Allah for the blessing of his remarkable leadership.

And so we have Kareem who was affable and well liked, prospering as a merchant and Abdul, who was reticent and greatly feared, gaining fame as a soldier. Kareem, who gave long thought to matters and sought the counsel of others and Abdul, who acted quickly and took counsel only with himself. Kareem, who was outgoing and talkative and Abdul, who was quiet and introspective. Kareem, who valued the glib speech of a vendor and Abdul, who had a contempt for words and admired the strength of a man's actions. Kareem, who loved reason and openly sought advice and Abdul, who listened to no one but himself. Kareem, who was open to criticism and Abdule, who attacked anyone who questioned his authority. Kareem, who loved long discussion and Abdul, who had contempt for indecision. Kareem, who gave long reflection to what was best and Abdul, who decided quickly and acted with decision. Kareem, who gathered great wealth and reputation as a merchant and Abdul, who rose to the honor and fame as a general. And thus it was that each in his own ways brought honor to their house, exceeding by far the greatest hopes of their father.

And so it came to pass, when the two were reunited, that they sat about discussing the successes of one another in their respective vocations. And as they discussed these things, each came to secretly envy the other. Kareem envied his brother the high esteem of the Sultan and the power he commanded as a general. He wondered what it would be like to have his brother's reputation and secretly wished that his father had chosen him to be a soldier. Abdul at the same time envied his brother the enormous wealth he commanded and believed that if he had access to such a treasure he could become a caliph, a position he much coveted.

So as they sat in idle conversation, amusing themselves, once more enjoying each another's company, they recalled incidents where they had switched identities. And as they were both envious of one another's success it occurred to them that they might trade places, and for a year enjoy the life the other was leading.

"No! No! Tell me this is not so." the King lamented.

"Yes indeed," said Scheherazad, continuing,

"And so it was that Abdul took the robes of a merchant and Kareem doned the armor of a soldier."

The king sprang from the bed and began pacing the room, animated on the one hand and adjitated on the other.

"Fools! Fools!, that's what they were, and such folly leads only to failure and disgrace! Does the tale not bear me out?"

"Why such despair?" said Schherazad, "They were both the same in mind and body, each having great talent, and experiencing success in their leadership of others. It would seem to me they had nothing to fear... that they would carry off their deception with the same success they had always enjoyed."

"And if you believe that, you're as great a fool as they were."

Scheherazad was intrigued by his reaction and inquired, "And why is that my lord?"

"Because the conditions of the two worlds are totally different. And as they adapted to the differences, their characters were shaped in an entirely different manner."

Having never seen him in such a mood, she encouraged him to elaborate, "Are you saying that the nature of their mature characters made them ill suited for the worlds of one another?"

"That is it exactly.... The conditions are entirely different. You see even though Leadership has the same three parts and they are intertwined, the proper application depends upon the conditions.., you know the circumstances."

"And what are these three parts you are talking about?"

"Well, the first is that a leader must know "best!""

"Huh?"

"You twit, do you know nothing? It's the highest form of good."

"And what then is good?"

"Must I explain everything to you?"

"I wish you would, for it's a question that perplexes many."

"Very well then, "good" is an action we take to improve upon the situation we would otherwise find ourselves in."

"My understanding is foggy and your wisdom is great."

"Yes, I can see that. The first thing you must understand is that if a person does nothing to improve a situation, then nature will provide her own solution."

"That is easy enough to understand."

"Indeed it is. Now suppose that a man wants more than the outcome that nature will provide?".

"Can you give me an example? It helps me to understand."

"Very well, suppose a man is out in his field and a storm comes up. He can do nothing or instead, go stand under a tree. If he does nothing he will be buffeted by the wind and struck by a multitude of raindrops. If he goes under the tree the number of raindrops that strike his body and the intensity of the wind will be dimished by say, one-half. Thus the action he takes in seeking shelter beneath the tree is good, because it improves upon the situation he would otherwise experience by doing nothing."

"I think I follow you."

"Now if the man chose, instead of the tree, the shelter of a hillside with an overhanging rock than that choice would be a higher form of good, called "better", for in so choosing he would avoid, let us say, two-thirds of the wind and rain."

"I'm still with you."

"And if the man continued into the hills and found a cave he could avoid the wind and rain altogether and achieve the highest form of good called "Best.""

"So a leader must be able to determine "best" which is the highest form of good, suited to the conditions in which he finds himself?"

"Exactly," said the king. "You can learn much by being around me. If more of my subjects had your willingness to listen, my rule would be more satisfying and less burdensome."

"So, how does this wisdom apply to the two brothers?" asked Scheherazad.

"Because their characters were molded to the conditions of the worlds into which they went. Their knowledge and experience applies to the realms in which they operated and will not transfer easily or completely from one set of circumstances to the other."

"How does a leader come to know, "best?""

"Well, it is not something we are born with, rather it is something we must learn. It is essential to the making of a wise choice."

"Are not the greatest of fools, with little learning or wit, still capable of making choices?"

"That is true enough. We are born with emotions and they contribute to the choices we make but such choices seldom qualify as "best." To transcend the choices of our emotions we need to learn the process for choosing "best." It is called "Reason.""

"From whence does it derive?"

"It was brought to us by the Greeks. They had many strange and bizarre ideas and one of these was the process of reason they invented; a means for determining "best.""

"How does it work?"

"First you define a problem, then you state the facts that surround it, come up with solutions and choose the one with the highest likelihood for success."

"For the conditions at hand?"

"Exactly."

"And since the conditions differ for a merchant and a soldier then the brothers, who are not accustomed to the conditions of one another, will make choices that are not best. Choices that may be good or better but not best?"

"Exactly, you are a quick study, and since the margins are close in both commerce and war, " good and better" often fall short of success.

"So if a leader knows "best" then he will be successful?"

"Not necessarily, for knowing best is only a part of what a leader needs to demonstrate".

"Then what else is there?"

"Well, a leader must be able to get his followers to act upon what is best."

"So after a leader determines "best", he must get others to do his bidding in achieving it?".

"Yes, and there are three means by which this is accomplished."

"They are?"

"They can be compelled to serve, compensated to serve, or they can be shown that the service is in their best interests"

"And which of these is most effective?"

"Again it depends upon the conditions. A leader must make recourse to all three in order to gather the support of his followers and set the proper course into motion."

"And what is the third?"

"The third is that the leader must sustain the momentum of his course and guide it to fruition. This must be done often in the face of great adversity. In such cases the leader must be resolute and use all his means to keep his followers focused on the path and and spur them to the goal he sets for them."

"And which is the most difficult?"

"The most difficult is the third. For as the leader wrestles with adversity, the strength and determination of his followers is tested and with each setback, disenchantment sets in and fears multiply. One by one those who stood proudly at the outset find their resolve being diminished and as they lose confidence and grow weary, it falls upon the strength of the leader to restore their faith, rekindle their courage and coax them ever forward. For in any worthy venture, the forces of opposition are strong and array themselves along the pathway to success. And our opponents are driven by the same despair that we are, and for every winner there is a loser and failure is a harsh mistress."

Scheherazad was amazed by all that she had heard, for she had discovered a side to her husband she had never seen before.

"Go ahead now," said the king, "finish the tale and take us to its sad conclusion."

Scheherazad took a deep breath and continued.

"Now since they were both endowed with great talents, one would think that they would each do well in the role of the other, for each was accustomed to success in leading men. It would therefor seem that they would prosper equally well in the vocation of the other."

"Not to me it doesn't," said the King.

"And while it might seem that this would be the case what happened was quite the opposite. For when Kareem began soliciting the advice of his officers they wondered at what had caused his temperament to change. When instead of demanding absolute obedience he allowed discretion in carrying out orders they thought he had taken leave of his senses. When he tolerated opinions inconsistent with his own, they were dumbfounded. And when they saw all these things, they remarked to each other about the change that had come over him and how different he had become. And as they wondered, their faith in him was shaken. And as it waned, the discipline and training of the army suffered. So when the army next went into battle the officers ceased to fear him. They obeyed only in matters they were in agreement with and in battle they were ill-prepared to face their enemies. And as the two armies clashed together, the orders he gave came slowly and decisions became untimely. The Sultan's army was defeated and put to route and Kareem fled in disgrace and was banished."

"Did I not say as much? Go on now, tell us what happened to Abdul."

"Abdul on the other hand entered into business with a style of arrogance and intimidation. He soon alienated the other merchants to the point where they refused to speak to him. He saw this as a matter of little consequence as he was not accustomed to long conversations. And he followed his own light dispatching business matters with the same quick scrutiny to which he was accustomed. Often he failed to note altogether the devious undercurrents of the ventures he invested in. In other cases his ventures were ill-conceived and even when he chanced upon a good idea, there was no one willing to help him put it into practice. His ability to gather men with the necessary talent and skill failed and those that might have helped were frightened by his severe manner, his insistence on brevity and expectations of an orderly marketplace. To those who could speak with glibness and conviction he reserved a particularly harsh contempt that was exceeded only by his scorn for politically appointed administrators. And while he might have had products that could have sold, they invariably arrived at the marketplace long after the similar wares of his fellow merchants. In that year he squandered a fortune and drove his family into bankruptcy. So great was the anger of his creditors that he was forced to flee into exile.

"There it is," said the King, "I told you so."

At that moment the cock crowed. The King yawned. "I will see you again in two days. Next time, see if you can't come up with a more entertaining story."