When the British were invading India, local rulers were building large armies for defence. Sheikh Chilli was also asked to join the army. He refused after a lot of thought, saying that it would be shameful. The shocked recruiters asked how such a glorious job could be shameful? Sheikh said, “If I go to fight, two things can happen : I will be killed or wounded. If I am wounded, it’s all right. But if I am killed, again two things will happen : my body will be burnt or buried. If it’s buried, no problem; but, if it’s burnt, my ashes will either be thrown into mustard or wheat fields. If thrown into wheat fields, it’s fine; but if they are thrown into mustard fields, again two things might happen : the soap made from the mustard oil will be used for bathing by a man or a woman. If it’s used by a man, fine; but if it’s a woman–now, won’t that be shameful?” Sheikh’s reasoning confounded all who heard it!
Two Things
