The wise dervish
Fairy Tales passed on by word of mouth
from Uchisar in Cappadocia

The Visit of Hacı Bektaş

Once, a long time ago, Hacı Bektaş was travelling through the region of Cappadocia.  When he saw Uçhisar Kale in the distance he thought: "What a lovely village” and, aware that he would need to walk on for many more hours before reaching home, he decided: "I will rest there and enjoy a sweet çay, a nice cup of tea". Straightaway, he changed direction and headed towards Uçhisar, always keeping the castle in his view. Hacı Bektaş had heard it said that the Uçhisar villagers gossiped a lot and that quarrels and squabbles between neighbours were common. Looking towards the lovely village, its houses softly nestled into the hill he could not believe what he had heard. With a smile he shook his head, thinking: "People living in such a quiet place cannot be like that…!"

With that thought in his mind, he reached Uçhisar. The streets were empty and he could hear only the sound of pigeons.  Suddenly a big wooden gate was thrown open and with a loud bang it slammed shut. A furious woman stepped out onto the dusty road, mumbling angrily, and at the same moment, a window flew open, followed by a flood of swearing. As if this were some sort of sign, people came running from every corner of the village to see what was going on.Hacı Bektaş was surprised about the sudden turmoil, and asked the villager standing next to him what might have been the reason for this shouting. As if the villager had been anticipating his question, he answered in far more detail than the Hacı had expected." The woman who left had found out that the other woman was gossiping about her," and without being asked to continue, "but we all know, that she is no better. You know, the other day she was…." Suddenly another voice shouted: "What do you know, you tittle-tattler! I heard what you said; she was…."Now the others around about started fighting as well and Hacı Bektaş turned and slowly left the village.

Disillusioned from what he had experienced he thought: "This fight will never come to an end…

…because the gossip will not stop!"

Well, and what is said about legends? There is always some truth…!

"The Wise Dervish" Hacı Bektaş, known as the Islamic mystic, belonged to a movement called  “Anatolian Humanism.” He was the founder of an order of dervishes whose followers were called Alevi, honouring the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad.For Hacı Bektaş, Islam formed the basis of human feelings and the world of thought.  According to his teaching, the love of God is the only healer of the heart.His fundamental principles can still be found written on the municipality's street map in the town of Hacıbektaş, close to Uçhisar.
One of these principles says: If your feelings can be hurt, do not yourself cause hurt!