Long ago, in the Salt Valley of Wadi Natrun, there lived a humble peasant named Khun-Anup, known for his honesty, intelligence, and calm demeanor. One day, he loaded his donkeys with goods to sell in the southern markets, hoping to provide food for his family. On his journey, he passed through the lands of a greedy official named Nemtynakht, who coveted Khun-Anup’s donkeys and possessions. Nemtynakht set a clever trap: he stretched a narrow cloak across the only path, with a river on one side and his barley fields on the other. When Khun-Anup’s donkey stepped around the cloak and accidentally ate a few stalks of barley, Nemtynakht seized the opportunity to attack Khun-Anup, beat him, and confiscate all his donkeys and goods.
Refusing to accept this injustice, Khun-Anup sought justice. He approached the regional magistrate, Rensi, and instead of pleading or begging, he spoke with eloquence, intelligence, and artistry. He recounted the crime in vivid detail, expressing both his suffering and his moral argument. He praised Rensi as the “father of orphans” and the “rudder of the ship of justice,” showing respect while making a compelling case for fairness.
Rensi was astonished by Khun-Anup’s oratory skill and immediately reported the case to Pharaoh Nebkaure. The Pharaoh, intrigued and impressed, wished to hear more of the peasant’s wisdom. He instructed Rensi to keep the case unresolved for a time, secretly support Khun-Anup and his family with food, and allow him to continue delivering speeches. The Pharaoh wanted the lessons of truth and justice to be expressed fully.
Over the course of his journey for justice, Khun-Anup delivered nine powerful speeches, each with a changing tone: pleading, praising, warning, and finally threatening that if justice was not served, he would appeal to Anubis, the god of the afterlife. He argued passionately that justice, or Ma’at, is the breath of life, and a magistrate who fails to uphold it is like a dry river or a messenger without news. He warned that wealth built on oppression cannot withstand the judgment of the divine. Each speech demonstrated his intelligence, courage, and moral conviction, capturing the attention of all who heard him.
After the ninth speech, exhausted and nearly ready to give up, Khun-Anup finally received the decision. Rensi announced the Pharaoh’s judgment: Nemtynakht was punished, all his wealth and property confiscated, and Khun-Anup’s stolen goods returned. Khun-Anup was now not only restored but also honored and respected for his persistence, eloquence, and unwavering commitment to truth. The Pharaoh ordered that all nine speeches be recorded on a new papyrus for future generations, preserving the wisdom and lessons of this remarkable peasant.
The story of Khun-Anup, the Eloquent Peasant, illustrates that words can be as powerful as weapons. Even the poorest citizen has the right to be heard when speaking truthfully. It also emphasizes that the highest duty of a leader is to protect the weak and uphold justice without compromise. This ancient Egyptian tale remains a timeless example of how intelligence, persistence, and moral courage can overcome corruption and inequality.