بخش 28 - نیت کردن او کی این زر بدهم بدان هیزم‌کش چون من روزی یافتم به کرامات مشایخ و رنجیدن آن هیزم‌کش از ضمیر و نیت او

A poor man was carrying firewood: he approached (me), weary and exhausted, from the forest.

So I said (to myself), ‘I am independent of (earning) daily bread: henceforth I have no anxiety for the daily portion.

The loathed fruit has become sweet to me: a special provision for my body has come to hand.

Since I have been freed from the (cravings of the) gullet, here are some small pieces of money: I will give him these.

I will give this money to this toil-worn man, that for two or three brief days he may be made happy by food.’

He himself was knowing my mind, because his (inward) hearing had illumination from the candle of Hú (God).

To him the secret of every thought was as a lamp within a glass.

No mental conception was hidden from him: he was ruler over the contents of (men's) hearts.

Therefore that wondrous man was muttering to himself under his breath in answer to my (unspoken) thought,

‘Thou thinkest so concerning the (spiritual) kings: how shouldst thou meet (receive) the daily provision unless they provide thee (with it)?’

I was not understanding his words, but his rebuke smote my heart mightily.

He approached me with awful mien, like a lion, and laid down his bundle of firewood.

(Through) the influence of the ecstatic state in which he laid down the firewood, a trembling fell upon all my seven limbs.

He said, ‘O Lord, if Thou hast elect ones whose prayers are blessed and whose feet (comings and goings) are auspicious,

I entreat that Thy grace may become an alchemist (may work a transmutation) and that this bundle of firewood may be turned into gold at this moment.’

Immediately I saw that his firewood was turned into gold, gleaming brightly on the ground, like fire.

Thereat I became beside myself for a long while. When I came to myself (again) out of (that) bewilderment,

He said afterwards, ‘O God, if those great ones (the saints) are very jealous and are fleeing from celebrity,

At once, without delay, make this (gold) a bundle of firewood again, just as it was (before).’

Immediately those branches of gold turned into firewood: the intellect and the sight were intoxicated (amazed) at his (miraculous) work.

After that, he took up the firewood and went from me in hot haste towards the town.

I wished to follow that (spiritual) king and ask him about (some) difficulties and hear (his answer);

(But) the awe (which he inspired) made me (as though I were) bound: the vulgar have no way (admission) to the presence of the elect.”

And if the way become (open) to any one, let him offer his head (in utter devotion), for that (admission to their presence) comes from their mercy and their drawing (him towards them).

Therefore, when you gain companionship with the siddíq (true saint), deem that Divine favour (conferred on you) to be a precious opportunity.

(Do) not (be) like the fool who wins the favour of the King, and then lightly and easily falls away from the path (of favour).

When more of (the King's) favour is bestowed on him, then he says, “Surely this is the thigh of an ox.”

This does not consist of the thigh of an ox, O deviser of falsehood: to you it appears to be the thigh of an ox because you are an ass.

This is a royal gift devoid of any corruption: this is pure munificence (springing) from a (great) mercy,