On a fine day, King Bahram Gor rode forth with a troupe of brave champions to hunt lions in the wilderness. Along the road, an old man leaning on a staff approached the monarch and spoke of two contrasting figures living nearby: one was Baraham, a deceitful and miserly man laden with silver and gold who refused to share a single piece of bread; the other was Lenbak the Water-Carrier, a noble-hearted man who drew water for half the day and spent the rest entertaining travelers with warm hospitality, keeping nothing for the morrow. Curious to test them, Bahram issued a royal decree forbidding anyone from buying water from Lenbak.
As twilight fell, the king disguised himself as an ordinary Iranian soldier and knocked on Lenbak's door. Lenbak welcomed the weary stranger with open arms, cared for his horse, and served him fine food and wine. For three full days, Bahram stayed under Lenbak's modest roof. Deprived of his daily income due to the king's decree, Lenbak pawned his shirt on the second day and his very waterskin and tools on the third day to purchase wine and meat for his guest. Astonished by Lenbak's unmatched generosity and pure soul, Bahram praised the water-carrier, resolving in his heart to bestow royal rewards upon him.