حکایت شمارهٔ 26

I remember having once walked all night with a caravan and then slept on the edge of the desert. A distracted man who had accompanied us on that journey raised a shout, ran towards the desert and took not a moment’s rest. When it was daylight, I asked him what state of his that was. He replied: ‘I saw bulbuls commencing to lament on the trees, the partridges on the mountains, the frogs in the water and the beasts in the desert so I bethought myself that it would not be becoming for me to sleep in carelessness while they all were praising God.’

Yesterday at dawn a bird lamented, Depriving me of sense, patience, strength and consciousness. One of my intimate friends who Had perhaps heard my distressed voice Said: ‘I could not believe that thou Wouldst be so dazed by a bird’s cry.’ I replied: ‘It is not becoming to humanity That I should be silent when birds chant praises.’