Story Summary
Discover The Eloquent Peasant, an ancient Egyptian tale where a humble man uses his powerful rhetoric to demand justice from a corrupt official before Pharaoh.
Khun-Anup, a humble peasant from the Wadi Natrun, set out for Herakleopolis with his donkeys laden with goods to trade for food for his family. Along the way, he encountered a corrupt minor official named Nemtynakht. Nemtynakht blocked the narrow path with a cloth and, when one of Khun-Anup's donkeys grazed upon a patch of grain, the official seized the animals and beat the peasant. Refusing to accept this injustice, Khun-Anup sought out the High Steward Rensi. He pleaded his case with such extraordinary eloquence and poetic grace that Rensi was astounded. Rensi reported the matter to Pharaoh Nebkaure, who was equally impressed. The Pharaoh ordered Rensi to delay the judgment and provide the peasant with just enough food to survive, all while scribes recorded every word of his speeches. For nine petitions, Khun-Anup argued for the principle of Maat—divine justice and truth—reminding the powerful of their duty to the weak. Finally, after the ninth petition, the Pharaoh revealed his delight. Khun-Anup was awarded all of Nemtynakht's property, proving that the power of truth can overcome the greed of the corrupt.
The Moral
True justice is a divine necessity that should be available to everyone, regardless of social status, through the power of truth and Maat.
“Do justice for the sake of the Lord of Justice.”
Fun Fact
This story is one of the earliest examples of 'social justice' literature in human history, highlighting the rights of the common man in the 21st century BCE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Eloquent Peasant?
The moral is that justice, or Maat, is the supreme duty of those in power and that the truth spoken by a commoner is as valuable as that of a king. It emphasizes that silence in the face of greed is a sin against the natural order.
Who is the main character in the story?
The protagonist is Khun-Anup, a peasant from the Wadi Natrun who becomes an unlikely hero through his mastery of language and his refusal to accept corruption.
When was The Eloquent Peasant written?
The story dates back to the Middle Kingdom of Egypt, specifically the 9th or 10th Dynasty, and is considered a masterpiece of classic Egyptian literature.
What is the concept of Maat in the story?
Maat represents the ancient Egyptian concepts of truth, balance, order, and justice. Khun-Anup's petitions are essentially a philosophical treatise on how a ruler must uphold Maat to keep the world in harmony.
How many petitions does the peasant make?
Khun-Anup delivers nine distinct petitions to the High Steward Rensi, each becoming increasingly bold and poetic as he demands his rights.
How does the story end for the corrupt official?
In the end, the corrupt official Nemtynakht is punished by having all of his property and positions stripped from him and given to Khun-Anup as restitution.