I replied...

I replied: 'Thanks be to the God of majesty and glory, I have not been excluded from the advantages enjoyed by dervishes, although I have separated myself from their society. I have profited by what thou hast narrated to me and this admonition will be of use through life to persons like me.' For one rude fellow in the assembly The heart of intelligent men is much grieved. If a tank be filled with rose-water A dog falling into it pollutes the whole.

Story 6 A hermit, being the guest of a padshah, ate less than he wished when sitting at dinner and when he rose for prayers he prolonged them more than was his wont in order to enhance the opinion entertained by the padshah of his piety. O Arab of the desert, I fear thou wilt not reach the Ka'bah Because the road on which thou travellest leads to Turkestan. When he returned to his own house, he desired the table to be laid out for eating.

He had an intelligent son who said: 'Father, hast thou not eaten anything at the repast of the sultan?' He replied: 'I have not eaten anything to serve a purpose.' The boy said: 'Then likewise say thy prayers again as thou hast not done anything to serve that purpose.' O thou who showest virtues on the palms of the hand But concealest thy errors under the armpit What wilt thou purchase, O vain-glorious fool, On the day of distress with counterfeit silver?

Story 7 I remember, being in my childhood pious, rising in the night, addicted to devotion and abstinence. One night I was sitting with my father, remaining awake and holding the beloved Quran in my lap, whilst the people around us were asleep. I said: 'Not one of these persons lifts up his head or makes a genuflection.

They are as fast asleep as if they were dead.' He replied: 'Darling of thy father, would that thou wert also asleep rather than disparaging people.' The pretender sees no one but himself Because he has the veil of conceit in front. If he were endowed with a God-discerning eye He would see that no one is weaker than himself.

Story 8 A great man was praised in an assembly and, his good qualities being extolled, he raised his head and said: 'I am such as I know myself to be.' O thou who reckonest my virtues, refrainest from giving me pain, These are my open, and thou knowest not my hidden, qualities. My person is, to the eyes of the world, of good aspect But my internal wickedness makes me droop my head with shame. The peacock is for his beauteous colours by the people Praised whilst he is ashamed of his ugly feet.