One day Tamerlane invited Mullah to his palace for dinner. The royal chef prepared, among other things, a cabbage recipe for the occasion. After the dinner, Tamerlane asked, “How did you like the cabbage?”
“It was very delicious,” complimented Mullah. “I thought it tasted awful,” said Tamerlane. “You’re right,” added Mullah, “it was very bland.” “But you just said it tasted ‘delicious,’” Tamerlane noted.
“Yes, but I’m the servant of His Majesty, not of the cabbage,” he replied.