The cause of a bird's flying and feeding with a bird that is not of its own kind.

How should a bird fly except with its own kind? The society of the uncongenial is the grave and the tomb. Said a certain sage, “I saw a crow running about with a stork.

I marvelled long, and I investigated their case, in order that I might find the clue (as to) what it was that they had in common.

When, amazed and bewildered, I approached them, (then) indeed I saw that both of them were lame.”

That one is the sun of ‘Illiyyún, while the other is a bat which belongs to Sijjín.

That one is a luminary, free from every defect, while this (other) one is a blind man begging at every door.

That one is a moon that strikes (its beams) upon the Pleiades, while this (other) one is a worm that cleaves to dung.

That one has the face of a Joseph, the breath of a Jesus, while this (other) one is a wolf or an ass with a bell.

That one has flown to Spacelessness, while this (other) one is in the straw-barn, like the dogs.

With the tongue of (unspoken) meaning the rose is saying to the beetle this—“O stinking (creature),

If thou art fleeing from the rose-bed, doubtless that aversion (shown by thee) is (a sign of) the perfection of the rose-garden.

My jealousy (sense of dignity) smites thee on the head with a baton, (warning thee to) keep far away from here, O vile one;

For if, base wretch, thou shouldst mix with me, it will be thought that thou art of my stock.

For nightingales the garden is the proper place; for the beetle the best home is in ordure.”

Since God has kept me pure from filth, how were it seemly to appoint a foul one for (companionship with) me?

I had (in me) a vein of them (of their nature). He (God) cut it out: how (then) will he with the vein of evil attain unto me?

One mark of Adam from eternity was this, that the angels should lay their heads (on the ground) before him, because it was his place (proper to his dignity).

Another mark was that Iblís, saying, “I am the king and chief,” should not lay down his head before him.