One day, wandering on the Gulf, Sultan Suleyman approached the boat on the shore of Shaykh Yahya Efendi's hut and invited the Shaykh for a ride. Yahya Efendi, who was a childhood friend of the Sultan and a Sufi Shaykh, accepted the invitation but took with him also another person who would draw attention for the beauty and the charm on his face.
As they were riding on the Gulf, Sultan and Yahya Efendi went into a sweet discussion with each other. But the other person did not participate at all in the discussion, but was staring at the precious ring on the thumb of the Sultan. The Sultan who noticed this, pulled out the ring and gave it to that friend. And the friend took the ring and threw it out into the sea!
Though the Sultan was angered by such a action, but for the sake of his respect and high esteem for Yahya Efendi, did not say anything. Then, when the boat ride was over and the boat approached the shore, the friend leaned over, took a handful of water from the sea, & extended his arm to the Sultan whose eyes were shocked at what he saw.
The Sultan who saw in his hand the ring thrown in the sea, involuntarily extended his hand and took the ring. When he wanted to say speak, the person with a beautiful, sleek face, left fast and lost from the sight ! The Sultan was astonished and looked in utter amazement!
Then Yahya Efendi explained with a smile the situation: "My Sultan, this person was Khidr Alahis Salam who you long to see!" With this situation, Khidr Alahis Salam was teaching you that material reign was nothing compared to the spiritual reign!
Narrated by Scholar Osman Nuri Topbas.