1950s TV - This is the Story - Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

[Music] this is the story a strange story of a Sultan's childhood pledge and you'll hear another story a story of a man who swam the Hudson River from Albany to New York yes this is the [Music] story one day each week the sultan one of the richest and most powerful rulers in Persia met and talked with his people he was a just and benevolent ruler and any of his subjects who wished an audience with him could have one on the day which was set aside for that purpose these were always tiring days for the sultan and the one he was completing now had been exceptionally so so many people seeking help and solving so many different problems when finally the grievance of a poor Shepherd had been disposed of the sultan turned to an attendant and inquired wearily ah there any more persons to see me the attendant nodded there was he said one more man and and it was rather strange the man obviously a humble Workman or Artisan said he wish to speak to the sultan on a personal matter a personal matter what sort of a personal matter well that the attendant replied was a question the Workman would not answer he'd said that if his name were announced the sultan would know the nature of his business and come come what is the man's name the attendant told him and the name obviously meant a great deal to the sultan slowly he said bring him in as the attendant parted the Sultan's side despondently and his mind went back over the years to his school days he and two other youths had become fast friends and on the day their education had been completed the boy who was to become a sultan had made a pledge across the years he could still hear the promise as he had made it that day my fortune shall be your fortune if you ever have a wish or a need come to me anything that is within my power to give you shall have the sulan stirred uneasily how he regretted the childish impulse that had prompted that pledge two years before he had been called upon to make good his promise he had installed one of his schoolmates in a high office and his Boyhood friend had repaid the kindness by trying to corrupt and debauch the Sultan's Court in the end the sultan had been forced to resort to force to drive the ingrate from the palace and now with that unpleasant memory still freshing the Sultan's mind here came the second of his two schoolmates to make Heaven only knew what outrageous demands in the name of a youthful promise the heavy door to the M's Chambers opened and closed and across the huge room came a Shabby man who had not it was apparent acquired much of the world's wealth but the sultan thought bitterly as he watched his former companion approach he undoubtedly expects to step from this room with the high office well he would be disappointed the sultan had learned his lesson he had had one better experience he was in no mood for another his friend would get nothing oh a little money to see him on his way yes but nothing more in front of the Das upon which the sultan sat the tattered visitor bent low and mumbled your highness the sultan acknowledged the greeting puzzled somewhat that his Boyhood friend did not take advantage of the informality that their former relationship would have permitted him but the sultan was not disarmed and he decided that the way to stop any fantastic demands being made upon him was to deny them before they could even be voiced and so he did sternly he told his former schoolmate that the art of government was one that could not be practiced by amateurs he he must understand that he must understand that in spite of his Boyhood pledge he could not bestow upon him either a title or office however the sulan suggested if his friend needed money something might be arranged but the other man shook his head I did not come seeking possession or wealth sir I am equipped for neither one I desire neither one the sultan puzzled asked why then had he come for a place to work to ask your majesty to designate so some place any hover will do where I might work in peace and what kind of work did he do the ruler wanted to know I have a trade sire as all men must and I will have to work at it unless you can grant my request but I do not wish to practice my trade instead I wish to return to being what I was what we both were when first we knew one another S I wish to be a student sir the sulan could hardly believe his ears or suppress the smile that tried to force its way to his lips if his Boyhood friend had demanded half his domain the sultan would not have been surprised indeed he had been expecting just such an outrageous request but this the man asking for nothing more than a hub in which he could meditate in peace the very modesty of the request made the sultan expand with generosity and relief his former friend would have his place to work and study yes and more the sultan would set aside a yearly pension to meet his friend's material needs he would never have to work at his trade again unbel and in gratitude the man bowed to his benefactor and said thank you thank you sir your generosity will not go unrewarded and with that the man turned and left but hardly had he closed the door behind him and the sulan broke down in a spasm of laughter the fool the fool he could have had enough money to buy a palace but he ask for a Hubble and then he talks of rewarding my generosity oh How could a fool like that reward anyone how indeed the sulan did not know and perhaps he never did know perhaps he lived and died thinking he had merely saved an old friend from a life of drudgery at the trade of tent making always chling over how cheaply he had got out of the youthful pledge but whether the sultan never knew it or not his generosity was rewarded and today we are still reaping that reward for the school boy friend he rescued from the life of a Tent Maker became one of the most brilliant astronomers and mathematicians of his day and yet strange enough he is remembered as a poet rather than as a scientist for the man who could have had a fortune for the asking but wanted nothing but a hub in which to study Penn The Immortal Lions a jug of wine a loaf of bread and th remember them of course they're from the ruat of Omar the Tent Maker Omar cayen this is the story a