Seyyed Ajal,4 the powerful ruler of the province of Termez, had a great love for the game of chess. One day, relaxing in his opulent palace, he summoned the court jester to set up the chessboard, as he fancied a challenge. Happy to comply, the jester eagerly prepared the board and sat before his master, ready to begin. Only a few minutes into the game, though, the jester suddenly jumped up and shouted, “Checkmate! Checkmate!” signaling that he had beaten the ruler at his favorite game.
Seyyed Ajal was a sore loser and did not appreciate being embarrassed. On this occasion, his anger got the better of him, and he began to hurl the chess pieces at the jester. “All right, you won!” he screamed. “Here's your reward, you lowlife good-for-nothing.”
Seyyed Ajal cursed and threw every object within his reach at the poor, innocent jester, who begged for forgiveness. But soon the Seyyed's anger subsided and boredom got the better of him; he decided that he wanted another game and so beckoned the jester back. The frightened man approached the chessboard apprehensively but sat down to play. Once again, he beat his sovereign in a blink of any eye and had to call out the customary “Checkmate! Checkmate!” But before he did, he ran to an adjacent room and hid underneath several layers of bedding to save himself from Seyyed Ajal's anticipated blows.
“What are you doing? Why are you hiding?” asked the ruler, when he eventually located the jester.
“Checkmate! Checkmate! Checkmate!” called out the jester in fright. “While in your service, this is the only way I dare to announce my win, my lord!”
Such is the predicament of those who must live under unjust rulers with no respect for their subjects, whom they are supposed to be protecting.
4 The name “Seyyed” indicates a descendant of the prophet Mohammad.