He sent for this slave girl to see what made her so exceptional. She stood before him with a dignity he had never seen in other slaves.

He asked her, ‘Why is your price so high, young woman?’

She replied, ‘Because I am distinguished by my intelligence.’

Intrigued, he said, ‘I will ask you some questions. If you answer correctly, I will set you free. If not, I will kill you.’ Then he went on:

‘What is the most beautiful garment, the most pleasant perfume, the most delicious food, the softest bed, and the most beautiful country?’

The slave turned to those present and said, ‘Prepare my belongings and my horse, for I am leaving this palace a free woman.’ Then she answered to the sultan:

‘The most beautiful garment is the shirt of the poor man who has only one, for he finds it suitable for winter and summer.’

‘The most pleasant perfume is that of a mother, even if she is only a simple fire-breather in a public bath.’

’The most delicious dish is the one you eat when you are hungry, for the hungry find even stale bread delicious.’

‘The softest bed is the one on which one sleeps in peace. If one is unjust, even a bed of gold will seem full of thorns.’

She headed for the door. However, the Sultan called out to her: ‘You haven't answered my last question...’

She turned around and when she was out of reach she said, ‘The most beautiful country is the one that is free and not ruled by stupid people.’

She had answered all the questions and won her freedom. And indeed, yes, she was right: the most beautiful country is the one that is not ruled by stupid people.