Story of the disciple of Shaykh (Abú) Hasan Kharraqání, may God sanctify his spirit!

A dervish went from the town of Tálaqán because of the fame of Abu ’l- Husayn of Kháraqán.

He traversed the mountains and the long valley to visit the Shaykh who was endowed with sincerity and fervent supplication.

Although the afflictions and injuries which he suffered on the road are deserving (of mention), I will abridge (the story).

When the young man reached the end of his journey, he asked to be directed to the house of that (spiritual) king.

As soon as he knocked at his door with a hundred reverences, the (Shaykh's) wife put forth her head from the door of the house,

Saying, “What do you want? Tell (me), kind sir.” He replied, “I have come with the intention of paying a visit (to the Shaykh).”

The wife gave a (loud) laugh. “Ha, ha,” she exclaimed, “look at your beard, look at this undertaking of a journey and (all) this trouble!

Was there nothing for you to do in the place (where you come from), that you should idly set out upon this expedition?

Did you feel a craving to indulge in foolish sight-seeing, or were you overcome by disgust with your home?

Or, perchance, the Devil laid on you a two-forked barnacle and let loose upon you the temptation to travel.”

She uttered unseemly and foul and silly words: I cannot relate all of them.

The disciple was thrown into a painful state of dejection by her parables and countless mockeries.