بخش 158 - جواب خروس سگ را

Then the cock said to him, “Be silent, do not grieve, for God will give you something else instead of this.

The horse of this Khwája is about to die: to-morrow eat your fill and be not sorrowful.

The horse's death will be a feast-day for the dogs: there will be abundant provender without toil or earning.”

When the man heard (this speech), he sold the horse. That cock of his was disgraced in the eyes of the dog.

Next day the cock carried off the bread in the same fashion (as before), and the dog opened his lips at him,

Saying, “O beguiling cock, how long (will you tell) these lies? You are unrighteous and false and without lustre.

Where is the horse that you said would die? You are (like) a blind man who tells of the stars and you are deprived of truth.”

That knowing cock said to him, “His horse died in another place.

He sold the horse and escaped from loss: he cast the loss upon others;

But to-morrow his mule will die: that will be good fortune for the dogs, (so say) no more.”

The covetous man immediately sold the mule and at that instant obtained deliverance from grief and loss.

On the third day the dog said to the cock, “O prince of liars with your drums and kettledrums!”

He (the cock) said, “He sold the mule in haste, (but),” said he, “to-morrow his slave will be stricken down,

And when his slave dies, the next of kin will scatter pieces of bread upon the dogs and beggars.”

He (the master) heard this and sold his slave: he was saved from loss and his face was lit up (with joy).

He was giving thanks and making merry, saying, “I have been saved from three calamities in the world.

Since I learned the language of the fowl and the dog I have pierced the eye of evil destiny.”

Next day the disappointed dog said, “O drivelling cock, where are the sundries (you promised me)?