بخش 5 - حکایت غلام هندو کی به خداوند‌زادهٔ خود پنهان هوای آورده بود چون دختر را با مهتر‌زاده‌ای عقد کردند غلام خبر یافت رنجور شد و می‌گداخت و هیچ طبیب علت او را در نمی‌یافت و او را زهرهٔ گفتن نه

A certain Khwája had a Hindú slave whom he had educated and enlivened (with knowledge).

He had taught him science and all polite accomplishments; he had lighted the candle of erudition in his heart.

That beneficent man had brought him up indulgently from childhood in the lap of kindness.

This Khwája had also a fair daughter, silver-limbed, lovely, and of excellent disposition.

When the girl had almost reached womanhood, the suitors (for her hand) were offering heavy dowries,

And there was continually coming to him (the Khwája) from every nobleman a wooer to ask for the girl (in marriage).

The Khwája said (to himself), “Wealth has no permanence: it comes in the morning, and at night it goes in all directions (is scattered to the winds).

Physical beauty too has no importance, for a (rosy) face is made yellow (pale) by a single thorn-scratch.

Noble birth also is of small account, for he (such an one) is befooled by money and horses.”

Oh, there is many a nobleman's son who in riot and mischief has disgraced his father by his wicked deeds.

Do not court a man full of talent either, (even) if he be exquisite (in that respect), and take a warning from (the example of) Iblís.

He (Iblís) had knowledge, (but) since he had not religious love, he beheld in Adam nothing but a figure of clay.

Though you may know (all) the minutiae of knowledge, O trustworthy (scholar), not by that (means) will your two (inward) eyes that discern the invisible be opened.

He (the scholar) sees nothing but a turban and beard: he asks the announcer (for information) about his (the stranger's) merits and demerits.

(But) you, O knower (of God), have no need of the announcer: you see for yourself, for you are the rising light.

The (only) thing that matters is fear of God and religion and piety, of which the result is happiness in both worlds.

He (the Khwája) chose a pious son-in-law who was the pride of the whole clan and stock.

Then the women said, “He has no riches, he has neither nobility nor beauty nor independence.”

He replied, “Those things are secondary to asceticism and religion: he (the pious man), (though) without gold, is a treasure on the face of the earth.”

When it became known that the girl was going to be married in earnest, (as was proved by) the hand- promise, the tokens, and the wedding-outfit,

The little slave, who was in the house, immediately became ill and weak and poorly.

He was wasting away like one suffering from phthisis: no physician could recognise his ailment.

Reason declared that the malady had its source in his heart (and that) medicine for the body is useless for heart-ache.

The little slave breathed no word of his (real) state and did not tell what was the cause of the pangs in his breast.

One night the husband said to his wife, “Ask him privately what is the matter with him.

You are in the place of a mother to him: maybe he will disclose his trouble to you.”

When the mistress heard these words, next day she went to the slave.

Then the dame combed his head very fondly with many endearments and signs of friendliness.

In the fashion of fond mothers she soothed him until he began to explain,

Saying, “I did not expect this from you—that you would give your daughter to a cross-grained stranger.

She is my master's child, and I am heart-sick: is it not a shame that she should go elsewhere (as a bride)?”

The mistress, (impelled) by the anger that rose in her, was about to strike him and hurl him down from the roof,

Saying (to herself), “Who is he, a whoreson Hindú, that he should desire a Khwája's daughter?”

(But) she said, “Patience is best,” and restrained herself; (afterwards) she said to the Khwája, “Listen to this wonderful thing!

Such a wretched slave a traitor! (And) we thought he could be trusted!”